Priest Lakeshore National Recreation Trail #294

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Take ID 57 for 36 miles north of Priest River, to Nordman. Go right on Reeder Bay Road for 4.5 miles. A small parking area is at the end of a short gravel turnoff on the right, from Reeder Bay Road. The south trailhead is here. The north trailhead can be found near Beaver Creek Campground that is 7 more miles north if you miss the gravel turnoff to the south trailhead.

Starting from the south trailhead, one is immediately surrounded by the beautiful cedar and hemlock forest, where the trail remains for its entire duration. A short tenth of a mile brings one to the edge of sparkling, clear Priest Lake, with the Selkirk Mountains beyond it. An awesomely beautiful setting. The trail follows the shoreline closely for its entirety.

These gorgeous views are continuous although they are typically seen through the trees. However, all along the trail there are many places with short paths to beaches on the waters edge. In the forest, several bridged small creeks are crossed. Additionally, there are some short, gentle ups and downs to keep things interesting,

As one travels north, tiny, nearby, scenic Twin Islands is passed at the 1.3 mile mark. The trail then circles around Distillery Bay reaching its north side at the 3.6 mile mark. There are great views to the south down the length of Priest Lake, from the beaches on the north end of Distillery Bay. Leaving Distillery Bay behind, Priest Lake becomes narrower, the forested hills across the lake are closer, making for interesting new views. Bottle Bay is reached at the 5.0 mile mark, followed by Teachers Bay at the 5.5 mile mark, and finally Tule Bay at the 7.1 mile mark where the north trailhead is found.

Beautiful, moist forest dominated by cedars and hemlocks. Also western white pines, bushes, and seasonal wildflowers. Deer, rabbits, and other shy wildlife.