Porcupine Lake campground
Porcupine Lake
Reservations are not accepted at the Porcupine Lake camping area. Therefore, it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. It is advisable to arrive early to secure a spot, especially during peak camping seasons when the campground tends to get crowded.
The best time of year to visit Porcupine Lake camping area is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is generally pleasant and the lake is ideal for activities such as fishing and boating. It is important to note that the campground is located at an elevation, so temperatures can drop significantly during the evening, even in the summer. Therefore, it is recommended to bring warm clothing and appropriate camping gear.
While enjoying the camping area, visitors should be cautious of the local wildlife, particularly bears. It is crucial to store food properly and adhere to bear safety guidelines. Additionally, the lake can have strong winds at times, so caution is advised when participating in water activities.
What's on-site at Porcupine Lake
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Porcupine Lake, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcupine Lake Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Sam Owen Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Sam Owen | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| River Lake Rv Resort | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Lunch Peak Lookout | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Porcupine Lake -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning Creek At Clark Fork Id | 767 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork River Below Cabinet Gorge Dam Id | 40,600 cfs | → |
| Pack River Nr Colburn Id | 610 cfs | → |
| Yaak River Near Troy Mt | 1,480 cfs | → |
| Kootenai River At Leonia Id | 14,100 cfs | → |
| Kootenai River Bel Moyie River Nr Bonners Ferry Id | 15,800 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Porcupine Lake -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Bear Mountain | 23.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Bear Mountain | 26.0 in | -1.0 in | → |
| Sandpoint 13.9 Ne | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Mosquito Ridge | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Mosquito Ridge | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Heron 2nw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Kootenai National Forest
- Ross Creek Cedar National Conservation Area
- Round Lake State Park
- Farragut State Park Visitor Center
- Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge
- Wilderness Cabinet Mountains
Boat launches
- State Highway 200 Hope
- Derr Island Road 311, Bonner County
- National Forest Development Road 278 Bonner County
- Dorr Skeels Road Lincoln County
- Lavinia Avenue Sandpoint
- Us 2 Lincoln County
Paddle runs
- North Fork Bull River, Sec. 32, T29n, R32w To Proposed Cabinet Mtns Wilderness Boundary, Sec. 1, T28n, R32w
- Middle Fork Bull River, Sec. 9, T28n, R33w To Proposed Addition To Cabinet Mtns Wilderness, Sec. 12, T28n, R33w
- Cabinet Mtns Wilderness Boundary, Sec. 3, T27n, R32w To Bull River, Sec. 12, T27n, R33w
- Boundary Proposed Addition Cabinet Mtns Wilderness, Sec. To Cabinet Gorge Reservoir
- 10 Miles From Surprise Gulch To A Mile Below Kootenai Vista Estates To 10 Miles From Surprise Gulch To A Mile Below Kootenai Vista Estates
- 9 Miles From Quartz Creek To Surprise Gulch,Two Miles Below Kootenai Falls To 9 Miles From Quartz Creek To Surprise Gulch,Two Miles Below Kootenai Falls
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Porcupine Lake as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Porcupine Lake
Can I make reservations at Porcupine Lake?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Porcupine Lake?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Porcupine Lake.