Start from 21 curated places around Priest Lake, ID, then choose the recommendations that fit your guests.
Restaurants & cafés
Hill's Resort
The lake's landmark family resort at Luby Bay, run by the Hill family since 1946, with a dining room and lakeside deck that have drawn national notice. House specialties run to pork ribs, wild-mushroom dishes, and everything huckleberry. The special-occasion dinner on this end of the lake.
Elkins Resort on Priest Lake
A rustic-classy resort restaurant in Nordman built around a big stone fireplace, with lake views and a kitchen that earns repeat diners. The attached Trapper Creek Bar runs live music. Go for a steak-and-lakeview dinner on the quieter west shore.
Trails & outdoors
Lakeshore Trail
A long, nearly level path tracing the quiet, mostly undeveloped northwest shore of the lake from around Granite Falls north. The tread is wide enough for a jogging stroller and you can walk as little or as much of its length as you like. The signature easy lakeside walk of the area.
Upper Priest Lake Trail
A well-maintained forest-and-shoreline trail leading to roadless Upper Priest Lake, a wilder lake connected to the main one by the Thorofare. The full route is about 9 miles out and back, but many turn around at Plowboy Campground for a six-mile day. Quiet old-growth forest the whole way.
Things to do
Priest Lake State Park
The state park strung along the east shore with sandy swimming beaches, campgrounds, and boat access, including the popular Indian Creek unit. It is the family hub for a lake day, with calm shallow water for kids. The default spot to base a beach afternoon.
Trapper Creek Bar at Elkins Resort
The bar at Elkins Resort in Nordman, the west shore's spot for live music, drinks, and a fireside hangout after a day outdoors. It is one of the few genuine evening venues this far up the lake. Good for a relaxed adult night out with a band.
Landmarks & sights
Priest Lake Museum
A small log-cabin museum at Luby Bay telling the lake's pioneer, logging, and steamboat history with first-hand recordings from old-timers. It is wisely curated and easy to see in well under an hour. A good orienting stop on a rainy morning or with kids.
Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars Scenic Area
A stand of old-growth western red cedars, some 800 to 2,000 years old, tucked at the far north end past Nordman. Short trails wind through the giants and connect to Granite Falls. The drive is long and rough but the silence among the ancient trees is the payoff.