Priest River
Priest River flows due south out of Priest Lake to its confluence with the Pend Oreille River at the town of Priest River. The river includes a pair of Class III whitewater sections – the short Dickensheet run just below the outlet, and the Eight Mile section along the lower Priest into town. In between, the river meanders along offering excellent canoeing or kayaking as well as fine swimming, fishing and just lazing on the river bank.
Parks and recreation sites: Just two miles below the outlet from Priest Lake, the Dickensheet unit of Priest Lake State Park is a fine small campground nestled along the river. At the river’s confluence with the Pend Oreille River is another fine campground and park managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It’s called Mudhole Campground, but with camping, picnicking, sandy beaches and marked swimming area it’s anything but. Also on the river is Chipmunk Rapids Trail, an 10.4-mile trail with frequent moose, deer and waterfowl to be spotted.
Fishing: The river holds brown, brook and cutthroat trout as well as mountain whitefish and smallmouth bass.
More information
Activities and info: Priest River Chamber of Commerce
Dickensheet park: Idaho Department of Parks and Rec
Mudhole park: Army Corps of Engineers
Fishing: Idaho Fish and Game