Upper Priest Lake — Attraction in Idaho

​Great paddle that takes you from the large busy main Priest Lake to the secluded, quiet, small upper lake. The 3 mile route to the upper lake, is easy paddling and usually suitable for beginners. We left from Lionhead and we were soon greeted by the solitude of the mossy lined banks on either side of the narrow waterway. Trees tower on either side and nearly no other people even on a Saturday in summer provide for a quiet peaceful paddle. After about 3 miles the waterway opens up to the beauty of Upper Priest Lake. There is a camping area on the shore where we stopped for awhile and enjoyed the beauty before paddling back to our camp. There was a little wind on the return and trying to cross the open water back to the boat launch proved to be a little more work...

Hard to get to, and worth the effort. Hike, boat, or paddle up to this lake. Clear water, mountains all around, and not too many people compared to Priest Lake. Lots of camp sites scattered around the shores, some backpacking style and others which are improved with tables and bear boxes. The lake is about 3.3 miles long and it takes about 1.5 hours to paddle a canoe from Beaver Creek campground through the thoroughfare to the lake, then another 1 to 1.5 hours to paddle to the far end of the lake in good weather, or 2.5 hours of hard paddling against a head wind & white caps from one end of the lake...

Accessible by hiking trails, and watercraft, Upper Priest Lake is pristine Northern Idaho at its best. Absent the development found on (lower) Priest Lake, if you're seeking solitude and wilderness, this is a destination worth discovering. If travelling by land, bring your bear spray, and remain alert...