Sam Owen Campground

The numbers that decide it

Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero. See it on Recreation.gov

Sam Owen Campground

Sam Owen Campground is nestled on the banks of Lake Pend Oreille in an open forest of pine and cedar. Popular activities include hiking, canoeing, swimming, boating, wildlife and bird watching. 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 sandy beach draws crowds of sunbathers and swimmers. Visitors also like to hike the half-mile 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. Facilities : Amenities include a picnic area, paved overflow parking areas and an information center. Campsites do not have electric hookups but a group picnic shelter has electricity and lights. Accessible flush toilets, drinking water and a trailer dump station are available. Nearby Attractions : The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway is well worth exploring.

Before you go

Scenic drives that pass close

• Pend Oreille Scenic Byway1 mi
• Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway12 mi
• Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage13 mi
• Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway13 mi