Name: Sam Owens Campground
Sam Owens Campground is located on the eastern shore of Pend Oreille Lake. It is set on rolling hills with a mature forest. There is little undergrowth and is mostly mowed lawn. Recreation here involves the lake whether you are fishing, boating or playing in the water. Even the volleyball court is down by the lake.
Campsites: There are 80 campsites situated in 4 loops. Refer to the map in the campsite section for details. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring with attached grate. The roads in the campground are paved while the driveways vary. Red Sun Loop has gravel driveways and is fairly level. Scented Leaf Loop has paved driveways and also come with 15 foot by 15 foot tent squares and is on a slope. Dancing Shadows Loop has one restroom set in the middle of the loop and has gravel driveways. Finally, Skipping Stone Loop has shorter gravel driveways and is set on a steeper slope but borders the lake.
Host on Site: There is more than one camp host. I think there was one in each loop.
Water: You will find a nice pressurized water system with good water near your campsite.
Garbage Services: There are bear resistant dumpsters in multiple locations in the campground and I highly recommend you use them. There are black bear in these woods.
Electricity Available: No.
Restroom: Restrooms were located in each loop and were clean and well stocked, however, there were no showers..
Handicap Accessible: The restrooms are handicap accessible. With the paved roads, getting around here would be easy. I did not see any handicap equipped campsites though.
Firewood: You may purchase firewood from the camp host. In 2014 the price was $8 per bundle and the bundle was bigger than most.
Pets: Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
Picnic Area: Sam Owens Campground has one of the largest picnic areas of any campground we have visited. There is also a pavilion which may be reserved for your group. There is a sign with details about it in the "recreation" section.
Recreation: Recreation here involves the lake whether you are fishing, boating or playing in the water. They have hauled in sand to make a wonderful sand volleyball court next the lake and there is also a set of horseshoe pits there.
Fishing: Fishing is availalbe in Lake Pend Orielle, check the regulations here.
Boating: Pend Orielle Lake is quite large but the boat ramp and dock are small. You may put your boat in here but there are no mooring facilities.
Swimming: There is a swimming area but no lifeguard.
Wildlife: Deer, black bear, small mammals and birds live in the woods around the campground. There was a bear warning posted at the time of our visit.
Additional Camping Opportunities: We have reviews for these nearby campgrounds; Springy Point Recreation Area, Riley Creek Recreation Area, Round Lake State Park and Priest River Recreation Area(Mudhole).
Phone service: Our ATT cell phones got only spotty reception. I didn't see a pay phone.
RV Dumping Site: There is a RV dump station in the campground, however, it is not free to use. They charge $7 per dump. This is the only park I have found in Idaho that charges its campers to use the dump station. At $20 dollars per day without electricity or water hook-ups the dump station should be free to campers in my opinion.
Location/Driving instructions: From Sandpoint, Idaho follow this GoogleMap.
Coordinates: 48.220033,-116.28415
Elevation: 2125 Feet
Reviewed Date: July 2014
Fees And Reservations: You may reserve your campsite on recreation.gov. We visited during the week so I can't tell you how busy it is on the weekends. We found many available campsites as the campground was fairly empty. Each single site daily fee is $20 to $22. Extra vehicles are $8 per day as is the day use area.
This information is accurate as of the date of the review.
