Priest Lake’s 400-mile groomed trail system encircles both Priest Lake and Upper Priest Lake and affords easy access to spectacular powder pushing play areas, challenging ‘mountain goat’ hill climbs, and postcard quality views of the lake and surrounding mountain ranges. In addition to the groomed trails, numerous unpublished, backcountry routes can be found throughout the 523,000 acres of public lands surrounding Priest Lake. The trails and play areas include heavily timbered areas, open meadows, windswept ridges and snow filled bowls. Snowmobile trails are mostly on either state or federal forest service roads ranging in elevation from 2,500 or over 7,000 feet. The trail system can be easily accessed from the doorstep of most of the area’s resorts and lodging establishments. Snowmobile rentals are readily available, can be delivered to your place of lodging, and some offer guide service, too.

To learn more about snowmobiling at Priest Lake, check out www.Priestlake.org/snowest.html. An ever increasing number of riders from around the nation are making Priest Lake an annual “must do” winter vacation destination. So, if you have not tried snowmobiling at “Idaho’s Crown Jewel”, come on up, you’ll like it.

View Trail Map »

Lodging

Bishop’s Marina (208) 443-0375 theswede@imbris.com
Blue Diamond Marina and Resort (800) 337-4537
www.bluediamondmarina.com
Cavanaugh Bay Resort and Marina (208) 443-2095
www.cavanaughbayresort.com
Elkins Resort on Priest Lake (208) 443-2432
www.elkinsresort.com
Grandview Resort (888) 806-3033
www.Grandview-Priest-Lake.com
Hill’s Resort (208) 443-2551
www.hillsresort.com
Inn at Priest Lake (208) 443-2447
www.innatpriestlake.com
Priest Lake Escapes (888) 536-4417
www.priestlakevacations.com
Priest Lake Lodge (at Nordman) (208) 443-2538
www.priestlake.org

Cavanaugh Bay Resort and Marina (208) 443-2095
www.cavanaughbayresort.com
Priest Lake Yamaha-Polaris-Ski-Doo (208) 443-2415
www.priestlake.org
Four Seasons Rentals (Snowmobile Licensed Guide and Outfitter) (208) 443-2405
Plmarina@imbris.com

The Nordic Scene at Priest Lake

A Cut above the Norm!

The five Nordic Trail systems at Priest Lake offer nearly 80 kilometers of groomed cross-county trails, groomed skate lanes at the Nordic Center and designated snowshoe areas. Most trails are classified as beginner or intermediate levels, although many trail segments will challenge even an advanced skier.

The hub of Nordic activities on the west side of the lake centers on the Priest Lake Public Golf course (15k) which is transformed into a superb Nordic Center during the winter months with numerous special programs for the whole family Snowshoe and X-Country Equipment rentals can be found at Hill’s Resort and Elkins Resort.

Priest Lake State Park at the Indian Creek Unit (10k) offers special Nordic programs on the east side of the lake including skiing by moonlight. Other great ski locations are Hanna Flats (16k), Rocky Point on Cavanaugh Bay (5k) and Coolin Mountain (10k). All these areas have accommodations, parking, and warming hut facilities nearby.

For a trail system map, call the Priest Lake Ranger District (208) 443-2512 or Priest Lake State Park (208) 443-2200.