Priest Lake Backcountry, Moderate 4x4 trail in Priest Lake, ID
    Moderate
    Overlanding
    4.5

    Priest Lake Backcountry

    Priest Lake, IDNorthwest

    Priest Lake Backcountry is a moderate 80+ miles off-road trail near Priest Lake, ID. It requires a properly built 4x4 with All-terrain tires, 4WD with low range, Tow strap & shackles and is best run June - October. Stock trucks and Jeeps are not recommended; plan on the required modifications before attempting it.

    Trail Conditions

    No reports yet

    Sign in to report

    Priest Lake sits in Idaho's panhandle surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains, a landscape of dense forests, granite peaks, and crystalline water. The backcountry roads winding through the surrounding national forest access remote campgrounds, mountain lookouts, and the upper lake where solitude is nearly guaranteed. Old logging roads provide miles of exploration through forests of cedar, hemlock, and white pine, with frequent encounters with deer, elk, and the occasional moose. The upper lake, separated from the main body by a narrow channel, feels like stepping back a century.

    Fun Facts

    #1

    Priest Lake is so clear you can see 30 feet to the bottom in some areas.

    #2

    The upper lake, accessible only by boat or rough road, was once a hideout for bootleggers.

    #3

    Idaho's largest western red cedar tree, over 3,000 years old, grows in the nearby Roosevelt Grove.

    #4

    The lake was named after Father Pierre-Jean De Smet, a Jesuit missionary.

    Length
    80+ miles
    Elevation
    2,500 - 6,000 ft
    Best Season
    June - October
    Permit
    Not Required
    Crystal lakeRemote campingMountain sceneryFishing

    🛞 Tires

    required
    All-terrain tires
    Rocky forest roads

    🔧 Suspension

    recommended
    2" lift

    ⚙️ Drivetrain

    required
    4WD with low range

    🪢 Recovery

    required
    Tow strap & shackles

    🛡️ Protection

    recommended
    Skid plates
    1
    Priest Lake Campground
    48.4523, -116.8765
    2
    Upper Priest Lake Access
    48.6234, -116.8912

    Closest campgrounds to Priest Lake Backcountry:

    Where to Camp

    GPS Coordinates

    48.4523, -116.8765

    Import into Gaia GPS, OnX Offroad, or Garmin

    Map of Priest Lake, ID

    5-Day Forecast

    Plan this trip

    Planning Your Trip?

    Check out our gear guides and trip planning resources.

    Gear Guides

    Frequently Asked Questions