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Moderate to BookNational Forest

Sam Owen Campground

Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Idaho

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As of October 2026, Sam Owen Campground is a campground in Idaho Panhandle National Forests with 80 campsites. Sam Owen Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Sam Owen Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Sam Owen Campground is located at 48.2167° N, 116.2831° W.

people allowed on 78 of 80 sites: 8
people allowed on each of the 2 largest sites: 50

Sam Owen Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Maximum stay: 14 nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Sam Owen Campground, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Sam Owen Campground

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Standard 78
Group 2
Accessible 2

What an RV fits

20–24 ft3 sites
25–29 ft5 sites
30–34 ft26 sites
35–39 ft13 sites
40–44 ft12 sites
45–49 ft11 sites
50–54 ft4 sites
55–59 ft2 sites
60–64 ft1 site

Amenities

restrooms
potable water
dump station

At a glance: Setting: Forest · Access: Paved road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife, photography.

All sites at Sam Owen Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Access
045	DANC	Standard	8	20 ft	-
046	DANC	Standard	8	48 ft	-
047	DANC	Standard	8	40 ft	-
048	DANC	Standard	8	40 ft	-
049	DANC	Standard	8	48 ft	-
050	DANC	Standard	8	45 ft	-
051	DANC	Standard	8	42 ft	-
052	DANC	Standard	8	40 ft	-
053	DANC	Standard	8	45 ft	-
054	DANC	Standard	8	45 ft	-
055	DANC	Standard	8	50 ft	Accessible
056	DANC	Standard	8	55 ft	-
PICA	GROU	Group	50	-	-
PAV	GRPA	Group	50	-	Accessible
058	LEAF	Standard	8	35 ft	-
059	LEAF	Standard	8	30 ft	-
060	LEAF	Standard	8	40 ft	-
061	LEAF	Standard	8	40 ft	-
062	LEAF	Standard	8	45 ft	-
063	LEAF	Standard	8	35 ft	-
064	LEAF	Standard	8	35 ft	-
065	LEAF	Standard	8	40 ft	-
066	LEAF	Standard	8	45 ft	-
067	LEAF	Standard	8	38 ft	-
068	LEAF	Standard	8	30 ft	-
069	LEAF	Standard	8	30 ft	-
070	LEAF	Standard	8	32 ft	-
071	LEAF	Standard	8	40 ft	-
072	LEAF	Standard	8	35 ft	-
073	LEAF	Standard	8	34 ft	-
074	LEAF	Standard	8	40 ft	-
075	LEAF	Standard	8	50 ft	-
076	LEAF	Standard	8	40 ft	-
077	LEAF	Standard	8	40 ft	-
078	LEAF	Standard	8	30 ft	-
079	LEAF	Standard	8	35 ft	-
080	LEAF	Standard	8	32 ft	-
081	LEAF	Standard	8	38 ft	-
001	REDS	Standard	8	27 ft	-
002	REDS	Standard	8	50 ft	-

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Access
003	REDS	Standard	8	32 ft	-
004	REDS	Standard	8	45 ft	-
006	REDS	Standard	8	30 ft	-
007	REDS	Standard	8	30 ft	-
008	REDS	Standard	8	40 ft	-
009	REDS	Standard	8	25 ft	-
010	REDS	Standard	8	25 ft	-
011	REDS	Standard	8	55 ft	-
012	REDS	Standard	8	30 ft	-
013	REDS	Standard	8	32 ft	-
014	REDS	Standard	8	30 ft	-
015	REDS	Standard	8	30 ft	-
016	REDS	Standard	8	25 ft	-
017	REDS	Standard	8	30 ft	-
018	REDS	Standard	8	50 ft	-
019	REDS	Standard	8	45 ft	-
020	REDS	Standard	8	45 ft	-
021	REDS	Standard	8	35 ft	-
022	REDS	Standard	8	30 ft	-
023	REDS	Standard	8	33 ft	-
024	REDS	Standard	8	45 ft	-
025	REDS	Standard	8	30 ft	-
026	REDS	Standard	8	30 ft	-
027	REDS	Standard	8	35 ft	-
028	STON	Standard	8	60 ft	-
029	STON	Standard	8	36 ft	-
030	STON	Standard	8	30 ft	-
031	STON	Standard	8	30 ft	-
032	STON	Standard	8	30 ft	-
033	STON	Standard	8	30 ft	-
034	STON	Standard	8	35 ft	-
035	STON	Standard	8	30 ft	-
036	STON	Standard	8	30 ft	-
037	STON	Standard	8	30 ft	-
038	STON	Standard	8	25 ft	-
039	STON	Standard	8	20 ft	-
040	STON	Standard	8	-	-
041	STON	Standard	8	23 ft	-
042	STON	Standard	8	38 ft	-
043	STON	Standard	8	35 ft	-

About Sam Owen Campground

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.

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway is well worth exploring.

Rules and notices at Sam Owen Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Sam Owen Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

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.

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

A season pass for the day use area can be purchased on site or online at SCENICCANYONS.COM

Day Use parking is NOT included in your overnight camping fee. If you choose to park in the day use, you must PAY the day use fee for the convenience of parking there.

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

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.

Click here for more information on Idaho Panhandle National Forest

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Sam Owen Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Sam Owen Campground?

Sam Owen Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 80 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Sam Owen Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Sam Owen Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Sam Owen Campground have?

Sam Owen Campground has 80 campsites.