Lake Pend Oreille

Formed by Lake Missoula thousands of years ago, Lake Pend Oreille was named after the natives living on the shores.  A natural lake enhanced by the Albani Falls Dam near Priest River, the “big lake” is the center of recreation and tourism for this region. 

Beach access in Sandpoint is right downtown: Sandpoint City Beach makes swimming, boating, parasailing, water skiing, sunbathing, picnicking, tennis, volleyball, and basketball accessible for everyone. With 111.3 miles of shoreline, Lake Pend Oreille is the fifth largest lake in the western United States. And there’s great fishing to be had right from Sandpoint’s shores: Kamloops and Mackinaw trout have been caught here some weighing 30 or more pounds. And duffers will be pleased with the wide variety of golf courses available in the Sandpoint vicinity.