Sam Owen
SAM OWEN
Part of Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Overview
Sam Owen Campground is nestled on the banks of Lake Pend Oreille in a densely wooded forest of pine and cedar. Popular activities include hiking, canoeing, swimming and boating in summer, and skiing in winter.Facilities
Amenities include a picnic area, paved overflow parking areas and an amphitheater for educational programs. Campsites do not have electric hookups but a group picnic shelter has electricity and lights. Accessible flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.Natural Features
Sam Owen Campground is situated on a peninsula on the east side of Lake Pend Oreille in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, at an elevation of 2,000 feet. The lake spans 82,088 acres and has 125 miles of shoreline.The well-loved campground shares a peninsula with the Sam Owen Game Preserve, which provides plenty of opportunities to see wildlife up close. Deer are very easy to spot, and watching for unique birds is a rewarding activity.
Recreation
A beach draws crowds of sunbathers and swimmers. Visitors also like to hike the half-mile, accessible Sam Owen Trail #4. The trail reaches a beautiful vista of Owens Bay, where hikers can rest on benches and take in the astonishing view.
Anglers take pleasure in catching kamloops, Dolly Varden, northern pike, trout and catfish. A boat ramp and dock are located on-site.
Nearby Attractions
The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway is well worth exploring.Important Notices
Extra Vehicles: One vehicle is included in your single campsite fee. Each additional vehicle will be charged a per day fee that is collected on site (cash or check only) if space is available in your site only. Additional parking is not be available.
You can rent KAYAKS and PADDLEBOARDS at the campground. Reserve them ahead of time at SCENICCANYONS.COM
- Bears frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from the area after eating
Your reserved site will be held until check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. If you haven't occupied your site at any time during this period, your reservation is null and void and your site will be given to first come first serve campers. Your reservation will be a no show and no refund will be given.
- Be sure to reserve a site that will accommodate your equipment. The site you reserve is your site. You may not move to another site.
- No soap, shampoo or use of other toiletries in lake
- The 14 day stay limit is strictly enforced. Camping for a period longer than 14 days during any 30-consecutive day period is prohibited. If you have booked back-to-back reservations, you will be asked to cancel all days after the first 14.
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
All sites are reservable at this campground. All sites are available 6 months in advance for single overnight camping and group day use can be reserved 1 year in advance.
- Click here for more information on Idaho Panhandle National Forest
A season pass for the day use area can be purchased on site or online at SCENICCANYONS.COM
Notifications and Alerts
Sam Owen may undergo construction in the 2026 season. If this occurs, it could mean the campground is closed for the entire season. Reservations are not being accepted at this time to confirm possible construction at the campground.
Available Activities
- Swimming Site - Swimming Site
- Day Use Area - Day Use Area
- Camping - Camping
- Boating - Boating
- Kayaking - Kayaking
- Paddling - Paddling
- Star Gazing - Star Gazing
- Swimming - Swimming
Directions
From Sandpoint, take State Highway 200 east 21 miles. Turn right on Peninsula Road (County Road 1028) and continue 1 mile to the recreation area.
Contact Information
Phone: 435-245-6521
IDAHO PANHANDLE NATIONAL FORESID
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 006, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 081, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 065, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 071, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 066, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 053, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 069, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 062, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 063, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 077, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site PAV, Loop GRPA, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 039, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 079, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 061, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 050, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 072, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 037, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site PICA, Loop GROU, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 070, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 058, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 076, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 054, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 068, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 080, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 060, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 073, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 049, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 055, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 052, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 048, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 051, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 064, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 047, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 056, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 059, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 067, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 074, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 075, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop STON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop REDS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 078, Loop LEAF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop DANC, Type Standard Nonelectric
