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 Priest
Lake State Park consists of three separate park units: Indian Creek
Unit, located on East Lakeshore Road approximately 12 miles north
of Coolin; Lionhead Unit located approximately 23 miles north of
Coolin, also on the East Lakeshore Road; and Dickensheet Unit, located
four miles south of Coolin, nestled along the banks of Priest River.
Both Indian Creek and Lionhead are located on the shore of Priest
Lake. Each of these units has camping facilities. See the CAMPGROUNDS page
of this web site for specific camping information.
Indian Creek Unit is located on the former site of a large Diamond Match
Company logging camp. The logging camp was the terminus of a 3-mile log
flume that was used to transport logs to the lake in the 1940s and '50s.
The park headquarters is located at Indian Creek and the unit is open year-round.
In addition to the camping facilities, Indian Creek has extensive day-use
facilities and a superb summer activities program from Memorial Day through
Labor Day. These summer activities include guided nature hikes, a campfire
program, a junior ranger program and numerous other organized athletic
and recreational programs. The park also has a picnic area, a boat launch,
a beautiful sandy beach with a large designated swimming
area, and a park store for all those last minute items you forgot to
bring with you. In the winter, Indian Creek is an excellent point to access
the 400 miles of groomed snowmobile trails
that surround the lake. The park also offers 8 kilometers of groomed x-country
ski trails. The daily non-camping motor vehicle entry fee is $2.00
- a tremendous bargain considering the wide range of facilities and activities
available.
 Lionhead
Unit consists of 415 acres located on the shores of Mosquito Bay and Squaw
Bay at the northern end of the lake. It was the site of the Nell
Shipman movie studio during the 1920s. The Shipman Point Trail, which
takes you through a unique grove of old-growth timber, is named in her
honor. Near the boat ramp, you can view the underwater remains of the Tyee
II, a steam powered logging tug used on the lake in the late 1940s and
early 50s. Lionhead has been developed with an orientation towards tent
camping and offers a more primitive camping experience compared to Indian
Creek. The unit also has day-use facilities, a boat launch, a 1/4-mile
sandy beach and a designated swimming area. The Squaw Bay group camping
facility is located at the south end of the Lionhead Unit. This rustic,
isolated retreat has 1,000 feet of 'private' sandy beach, and includes
both kitchen and shower facilities. It can accommodate up to 50 people.
The Lionhead Unit is open from May 1 through September 30. Like Indian
Creek, the daily non-camping entrance fee is $2.00.
Dickensheet Unit is the smallest of the three units (46 acres). It offers
only eleven primitive camping facilities and is not suitable for large
recreational vehicles. Tables and fire grills are available at each camp
site; however, no drinking water is available. Dickensheet is an excellent
launch site for float trips down
Priest River. The unit is open from May 1 through September 30.
For more information, try the Idaho State Parks & Recreation web site, www.idahoparks.org.
The telephone number for general information is (208) 443-2200; and for
campground reservations (208) 443-6710. |
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