Priest Lake Waterfront Cabin closed for 2026

Our family is now sharing, for only a few weeks per year, our cabin on Idaho's Crown Jewel, Priest Lake. The location offers the best view with the magnificent Chimney Rock and adjacent peaks poking up at 7000+ ft. on the Selkirk Crest. Miles of open, undeveloped shoreline is in view across the lake, with a wetland at the Bear Creek outlet that is frequented by moose and bald eagles. Situated in the Kaniksu National Forest, you are surrounded by majestic mountains, thick forests of multiple species of trees, including groves of ancient cedars; crystal clear water, tree-scented fresh air, and abundant wildlife. If you have never been to this area, you're in for a treat, especially if you enjoy and appreciate the natural beauty of it all.
Your knotty-pine cabin is in a prime spot about halfway up the lake on the west side with easy access. Facing east, your cabin is protected by the blazing afternoon sun, while the beach and dock remain sunny until late in the afternoon. In the evening, watch the sunset illuminating Chimney Rock and Mt. Roothaan (7235'). Cool nights then lower the temperature in your cabin quite nicely. Take your coffee out on the deck, dock, or screened porch and take in the morning sun.
Great for swimming. No steep inclines or drop-offs here. There is a gradual slope to the water 30' from your new deck, continuing to the end of the dock where the depth is, give or take 4'. The water is very refreshing and is clear enough that you can always see your toes while treading water! The lake bottom is usually visible at a depth of around 15 feet.
Your clean and comfortable two-bedroom cabin includes: one full bed, two twin beds and a sofa bed in the living room. An additional mattress pad will be included. Someone in your group will get to wake up every morning to the inviting sound of the water lapping on shore just a few feet away. All linens, towels, pillows, and extra blankets are provided.
The kitchen is grocery ready, and you can observe the beautiful lake and mountains while cooking and dining at the kitchen table. A gas barbecue is ready to fire up on the deck.
HDTV flat screen with DVD player is in the living room.
A small entry/utility area has an extra sink with a lighted mirror.

Unlike a lot of other lakes around the northwest, most of the best areas to recreate on Priest Lake are open for the public to enjoy. Explore! Bring your boat. Venture south to enjoy some of the great resorts, putt around mostly public Baritoe and Kalispell Islands in your boat, go to the museum at Luby Bay, or take a trip to the town of Coolin and visit the Leonard Paul Store. Go north to check out some of the secluded bays and enjoy the many inviting beaches. Wet your fishing lines and troll for Kokanee or Mackinaw (lake trout) around the twin islands. Everyone needs to experience the taste of fresh, land-locked sockeye salmon (Kokanee). They are delicious. Two- or three-pound Macks can also be so very tasty, more so if prepared properly.
Make it a day trip boating to the undeveloped (aside from a few primitive campsites and hiking trails) Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area. There is a fairly good chance you will see a moose or three wading about in the three-mile thorofare to the upper lake. Stay slow and give them lots of space please. You can also drive to the head of the main lake to the trail head at Beaver Creek and walk the western shore.
Hiking trails around the lake are numerous, and range from leisurely walks along the western shore, to more challenging mountain hikes that offer unbelievable panoramic views. Camera-up if you can.
Kayak (not included) or float Granite Creek, located a block or so north of your cabin.
Boat or not, there are many more things to see and do at Priest Lake that are not mentioned here. Did I say huckleberries? Water Frisbee? Sailboarding? (unfortunately, board not included). More information is available at the cabin, the Priest Lake Ranger Station (about 7 miles south), and the Priest Lake Chamber of Commerce.


Free 2-can garbage service per week. Please leave cans in the shed.

The water at the cabin has been tested and is safe to drink, but it is high in iron content affecting the taste. We include 6 gallons of complementary drinking water for our guests.

Cell service at the cabin seems to only work with certain carriers. Folks that have Verizon have no problem, but AT&T and Consumer Cellular do not function at the cabin. Reception can be had if you drive towards Elkins Resort, which is about a mile away or less.

If desired, we will leave you a Pelican peddle boat for your use.