Priest Lake State Park Lionhead Unit

Near Priest Lake State Park, several excellent dining options are available. The Settlement Kitchen + Craft Tavern offers casual dining with a great beer selection and live music, making it popular for lunch and dinner. For those looking for a family-friendly atmosphere, Cavanaugh's Priest Lake provides a cozy dining experience with a focus on comfort food and small plates. Chimney Rock Cafe is noted for its fast service and great coffee, perfect for breakfast or brunch. Additionally, Millie's offers a trendy environment with a great wine list, making it ideal for solo dining. All these restaurants offer wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Lodging options near the Lionhead Unit include several resorts that blend natural beauty with luxurious comfort. Elkins Resort On Priest Lake offers log cabins and a sandy beach, providing a serene lakeside retreat. Hill's Resort features condos, chalets, and cabins, along with activities like tennis. For a more intimate experience, The Inn at Priest Lake provides cozy accommodations with wheelchair-accessible facilities.

The Lionhead Unit of Priest Lake State Park offers basic amenities, including vault toilets and central water for campers. While it lacks electric hookups, it is a popular choice for those seeking a more rustic experience. The nearby Indian Creek Unit has more extensive amenities, such as showers, flush toilets, and a full-service park store with gasoline. Non-motorized boat rentals and a life jacket loaner station are also available. However, there are no lifeguards on duty at the beach.

Visitors to the Lionhead Unit can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The area is also renowned for its hiking trails, such as the Shipman Point Trail, which offers a unique journey through old-growth timber. Nearby, the Indian Creek Unit offers additional activities like volleyball, horseshoes, and access to cycling trails. Fishing and boating are also popular pastimes in the area.

While Priest Lake State Park has some accessible features, the Lionhead Unit is more rustic with limited accessibility options. However, vault toilets are available, and some campsites offer central water. The nearby Indian Creek Unit has better accessibility, with ADA-compliant facilities such as restrooms and campsites. Wheelchair-accessible parking is available in designated areas, but the narrow access roads at Lionhead may pose challenges for those with mobility needs.

The parking at Lionhead Unit is generally accessible, with a gravel parking lot available near the day-use area and boat ramp. The access road to the campground is narrow, and campers with RVs longer than 25 feet are advised against attempting to navigate it. Parking is free in designated areas, making it convenient for visitors to explore the park.

Priest Lake State Park is nestled just below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains and only 30 miles from the Canadian border. The park is known for its glacial features, which have sculpted the surrounding landscape over thousands of years. Historically, the area was home to Nell Shipman's movie studio in the early 1920s, adding a touch of Hollywood to its natural charm. The park's diverse wildlife, including moose and black bears, makes it a fascinating destination for nature enthusiasts.

One of the major attractions near Priest Lake State Park is the Upper Priest Lake, accessible by a scenic hike or via watercraft. The Thorofare, a narrow waterway connecting the two lakes, is a highlight for canoeists and kayakers. Additionally, the park's proximity to the Selkirk Mountains offers stunning views and opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions like the U.S. Forest Service day-use area on Priest River.