Sam Owen Campground
Idaho Panhandle National Forest
Write a Review FR-640 Hope, ID 83836 435-245-6521 Official WebsiteGPS: 48.2196, -116.2841
Overview of Sam Owen Campground
Last Price Paid: $26
Reported by Outdoor Girl on 8/26/2023
Longest RV Reported: 38 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by KyKampers on 6/20/2021
Number of Sites 80
Reservations yes
Open Seasonally Mid-May - late Sept.
Elevation 2,099 ft / 639 m
Max Stay 14
Max Length 60 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Reviews of Sam Owen Campground 15 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 8 Users
Last reported 8/26/2023
“Nice”
Reviewed 8/26/2023
| Nightly rate: | $26 |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 8 |
| RV Length: | 34' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
Previous review explains a lot, so I’m not going to go in any detail about the loops of the campground. I will say that there were a few first come first serve sites in the red Loop, one of which we got. I didn’t quite understand how it worked, but you could not book these, and it said online that they were available for four nights. S... more
Previous review explains a lot, so I’m not going to go in any detail about the loops of the campground. I will say that there were a few first come first serve sites in the red Loop, one of which we got. I didn’t quite understand how it worked, but you could not book these, and it said online that they were available for four nights. So you would just have to show up and hope that one of these sites was open if you didn’t have a reservation. We actually liked our site. We had some trees and some solar and we were able to use our Starlink. A lot of the sites in this loop could probably get Starlink reception. Most of the other loops are very forested. Some sites are huge and pull through such as 55, 48, and 46 There is a sign that says it’s $28 for premium sites which probably means the ones that are right above the beach. All the sites above the beach are above the dog beach. The whole beach is quite extensive.
As the previous girl said our cell service was in and out and sometimes just read SOS. It varies throughout the entire campground.
There was a sign saying that the host sold ice. The whole campground was under fire restrictions. Only propane fires. There are hosts in every loop and they are very helpful.
There are deer running throughout the campground, which made our dogs go crazy.
Another campground that has no set generator hours, (Springy Point didn’t either)which I find strange. This is a forest service campground, but maybe it is determined by the concessionaire.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Location On Lake pend Oreille”
Reviewed 8/2/2023
| Nightly rate: | $26 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 9 |
| Site Number: | 24 |
| RV Length: | 37' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
Site #24, back in dry camping $26/night (1/2 off with senior or access America the Beautiful card) Dump station additional $8.00 (not included with stay) This is a forest service campground and reservations are made online through recreation.gov. There is a 14 day stay limit during any 30 consecutive day period. Prices are half off wi... more
Site #24, back in dry camping
$26/night (1/2 off with senior or access America the Beautiful card)
Dump station additional $8.00 (not included with stay)
This is a forest service campground and reservations are made online through recreation.gov. There is a 14 day stay limit during any 30 consecutive day period. Prices are half off with senior or access America the Beautiful pass. There is a $8.00 reservation fee. They did have some FCFS sites available.
Campground has paved roads. Sites in the Scented Leaf loop are paved. The rest of the sites vary from gravel to just dirt. A lot of the grass/brush throughout the campground is very dry, especially in the Red Sun Loop. The campground has four loops. Red Sun is closest to the day use area which is also the access to the boat dock. It’s also closest to the designated swimming area (East of the boat dock). This loop seems the most open to me with the least amount of trees. There is a dog beach (West of the boat dock) that is just below the Skipping Stone loop. Some sites back up to the lake and have a short trail to get to the water. Sites in this loop are definitely more shaded than Red Sun. While this is my favorite loop for proximity to the lake, the sites in this loop are not very level. Definitely be prepared with blocks. Dancing Shadows loop would be your best loop for getting a pull through site. It also has a fair amount of trees for shade. Site 56 looked like a decently level site, had lots of shade, and was at the exit at the loop. It would be a quick walk to the lake.
There are bathrooms with flush toilets in each loop. They were kept clean. Multiple water spigots are located throughout each loop. The campground has bear proof trash cans.
There is a dump station with potable water. The dump station is not included with stay at campground and cost $8.00.
Site #24 was an OK site. There were absolutely zero trees at the site to provide any type of shade. The only shade during the day at this site was in front the RV. It did make it a good spot for solar. The patio table and fire ring were at the back of the site, not my favorite set up at campgrounds. The site itself was mostly a fine dust/dirt. A lot of the grass around the site was pretty dry and brown. The site itself did slope to the left and front. Unable to maximize the width of the site due to the significant slope of the site. Had to park more in the middle to able to level, which didn’t leave that much room for patio chairs and rug on door side. I don’t think I would choose this particular site again.
At site #24 had 1 bar LTE Verizon signal that would transition to SOS only. On occasion a text would go through and could sometimes search the internet. Would get cell signal down near the beach and boat dock and sporadically throughout the park. My in-laws were camped there with us. They had a Verizon SIM card in their Winegard and had zero issues with signal.
Dawn would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Lake Access trumps poor cell service ”
Reviewed 6/26/2022
| Nightly rate: | $13 |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 65 |
| RV Length: | 21' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
Large campsites, flush toilets, running sink water and spigots all around. Big beach on lake! Trails abound-visit the gravesite of Sam Own & his wife. The camp hosts do a great job of keeping this place clean. There is a dump station & water but there is a fee to use. Nice RV park w/boat dock next door (fee to use) including a rest... more
Large campsites, flush toilets, running sink water and spigots all around.
Big beach on lake! Trails abound-visit the gravesite of Sam Own & his wife.
The camp hosts do a great job of keeping this place clean.
There is a dump station & water but there is a fee to use.
Nice RV park w/boat dock next door (fee to use) including a restaurant/bar - Pearls which was Excellent!
We had campers next to us that were not very considerate but other than that it was a great stay. Love the lake views.
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Verizon
Out & About would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Affordable but Lack of Cellular Service a Detractor ”
Reviewed 10/2/2021
| RV Length: | 36' (Fifth Wheel) |
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Overall Rating
Sam Owen Campground in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest is situated on a peninsula that extends into Lake Pend Oreille. In this video, I give you a walking tour of Sam Owen Campground and show you the best campsites. Amenities include drinking water spigots, restrooms with flush toilets, dump station, a boat dock, picnic and day ... more
Sam Owen Campground in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest is situated on a peninsula that extends into Lake Pend Oreille. In this video, I give you a walking tour of Sam Owen Campground and show you the best campsites. Amenities include drinking water spigots, restrooms with flush toilets, dump station, a boat dock, picnic and day use area, and a beach. Campsites are both reservable and first-come, first served. A speed test failed due to poor connectivity for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
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AT&T
Verizon
T-Mobile
LivingOurDreamNow would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Just an overnight”
Reviewed 9/28/2021
| Nightly rate: | $12 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 62 |
| RV Length: | 31' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Paved somewhat level. Good solar part of the day. Campground not manicured. But for 1 night it was ok.
Bluebeard would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Popular Place”
Reviewed 7/2/2021
| RV Length: | 27' (Class B) |
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Overall Rating
We were considering this park and another park down the road. The lakeside spots were reserved most days for the next few weeks. They had a log company removing a lot of trees from sites in the loop near the entrance. and across the road. They had log trucks rolling down the road at dawn. The available sites had tree stumps surroundin... more
We were considering this park and another park down the road. The lakeside spots were reserved most days for the next few weeks. They had a log company removing a lot of trees from sites in the loop near the entrance. and across the road. They had log trucks rolling down the road at dawn. The available sites had tree stumps surrounding the sites. The sites looked ugly with all of the trees gone. Seeing a bunch of tree stumps with little shade and temperature in the high 90's we went down the road to Island View Trailer Resort. We were glad we did.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A gem of a spot! ”
Reviewed 6/20/2021
| Nightly rate: | $27 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 56 |
| RV Length: | 38' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
Sam Owen did not disappoint! We had a huge, level spot (#56) at the end of the campground (not all sites are so level). A little tight to get into with a 40’ 5th wheel, but doable. The lake is just a very short walk away (great paddle boarding!) and though there is no cell service within the CG, there is on the far side of the swimming... more
Sam Owen did not disappoint! We had a huge, level spot (#56) at the end of the campground (not all sites are so level). A little tight to get into with a 40’ 5th wheel, but doable. The lake is just a very short walk away (great paddle boarding!) and though there is no cell service within the CG, there is on the far side of the swimming beach, next to the Beyond Hope resort (very crowded looking camping there!).
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AT&T
KyKampers would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Large site with private beach”
Reviewed 9/10/2020
| Nightly rate: | $36 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 35 |
Overall Rating
We were shocked when we rolled up to find our own beach and a huge site. It’s probably the biggest campsite we’ve ever seen. Despite a crowded campground, it was quiet, clean, and our site felt very private. There are bathrooms but no showers. I could come back here again and stay for an extended period of time. What a beautiful area!
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Verizon 4G
Audrey would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Reviewed 9/1/2020
| Nightly rate: | $25 |
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| Days stayed: | 14 |
| Site Number: | 42 |
| RV Length: | 37' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
Dry camping, with restrooms, potable water and dump station available. $8 charge for dump. Our site was in skipping stone loop, very unlevel. The campground manager asked about taking pictures of our RV to submit to the powered that be. They would like to get sites leveled. Our site was close to the lake, lots of shade trees. Still abl... more
Dry camping, with restrooms, potable water and dump station available. $8 charge for dump. Our site was in skipping stone loop, very unlevel. The campground manager asked about taking pictures of our RV to submit to the powered that be. They would like to get sites leveled. Our site was close to the lake, lots of shade trees. Still able to get some solar. Fire ring and picnic table is located behind/to the left of the RV. We did have Verizon signal. Able to make reservations on line. There was a cougar sighting a few days before we got the the campground. Also so deer and bald eagles.
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Verizon 4G
Dawn would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very Nice!”
Reviewed 7/19/2020
| Nightly rate: | $23 |
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| Days stayed: | 14 |
| Site Number: | 64 73 |
| RV Length: | 24' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This campground was very nice! It sits near Lake Pend Orielle on the northern side of the lake. The hosts were awesome! Both sites were clean. There are animals that come by the sites. We saw deer, turkey, squirrels, and lots of robins. There is a dump station that is $8 to use. That is by card only. The Leaf loop was the only ... more
This campground was very nice! It sits near Lake Pend Orielle on the northern side of the lake. The hosts were awesome! Both sites were clean. There are animals that come by the sites. We saw deer, turkey, squirrels, and lots of robins. There is a dump station that is $8 to use. That is by card only.
The Leaf loop was the only one that had paved units.
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AT&T
Tina would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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2 reviews
373 reviews
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- picnic area
- recreation trail
- swimming beach
- water access
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- dump station
- ADA Accessible
- restrooms: flush
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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