Sandpoint by Boat (Star, Priest River, Hope: transfer, to buy, construction)

[sfrancis]

Can I get to Sandpoint from Priest River by boat? Planning to move to Priest River in a few years and want to buy a pontoon type boat. Can we get to Lake Pend Orielle from Priest River? How far CAN we go in either direction from Priest River? Thanks!

[elousv]

From history of Priest River:
"
Priest River is often called the "Gateway to Priest Lake" as you must pass through it to get to US Highway 57 North to Priest Lake. The town sits at the junction of the Priest River and the Pend Oreille River, where you can boat all the way up to Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille."


and you have Albeni Falls

"3.5 miles west of town the dam offers guided tours of the powerhouse during summer months."

[Sandpointian]

roughly 29 miles from AF dam to SP marina

[Sage of Sagle]

And it's a GORGEOUS boat ride. You can gas up at the Sandpoint Marina, although you may want to check ahead during the bypass construction if that will affect their hours of operation. You can pull up to the public docks behind Starbucks and Spuds (some of the best food in town) and walk right into the heart of town.

[norcalmom101]

I'm getting the feeling I'm on the wrong side of the tracks! My employer has an office in CDA, maybe I should put in for a summer transfer...

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by norcalmom101

I'm getting the feeling I'm on the wrong side of the tracks! My employer has an office in CDA, maybe I should put in for a summer transfer...

Oh I think not!

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by sfrancis

Can I get to Sandpoint from Priest River by boat? Planning to move to Priest River in a few years and want to buy a pontoon type boat. Can we get to Lake Pend Orielle from Priest River? How far CAN we go in either direction from Priest River? Thanks!

Hey, just what I've been looking for...someone in the area with a boat. Need a new buddy??

Just kidding. You can only go downstream (away from the lake) from Priest River about 5 miles till you come to the Albeni Falls dam. But you're good all the way up the lake. Pretty area, should be a really nice boat ride. If you are looking for a short ride and fuel stop, Willow Bay Marina is on the S side of the river, roughly across from LaCleade (maybe half way to Sandpoint from PR). I don't go by boat, but we only live a few minutes from there, it's a nice summer stop for a meal. Patio is right out on the water. There are probably a bunch of other spots I don't know about.

[Sage of Sagle]

Toyman....I think you meant "you can only go downstream from Priest River about 5 miles". It's a good 25+ miles downstream from Lake Pend Oreille. It's at least 15'ish plus miles by water from LPO to Willow Bay, more like 18-20 by water (it's over 15 by car doing Dufort to 95). It's about 11 miles to Priest River from Morton Slough. So I'm thinking about 25-27 miles by water from Priest River to LPO.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Isn't that what I said? (just kidding, edit function is a great thing). I'd guess your mileage is prettty close.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Oh, I wanna go! How about going all the way over to Hope, and having lunch at that little cafe with the lake view?