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BLM Camping

Little Lost Lake

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

Little Lost Lake is one of several public recreation areas operated in Idaho by the United States Bureau of Land Management, which administers federally protected land. Located in Coeur d'Alene, only 23 miles from the town of Avery, it has a road trail with two tracks that let you take motorcycles and ATVs up to one mile away from the lake before the trail runs out. BLM camping lets you camp for free on public land. The primitive spots here do not offer amenities for RVs and are not accessible with trucks or campers. All sites are first-come, first-served.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Lost Lake Loop

One of the top mountain biking trails close to Bureau of Land Management camping is the Lost Lake Loop. It has a maximum grade of nine degrees and an elevation of more than 2,500 feet. This trail is open year-round and offers more challenges in the rain and snow.

Length: 11.8 miles

Intensity: Intermediate

Lost Lake Trail

The only way to reach Little Lost Lake is via the Lost Lake Trail. Though you can access it on an ATV or motorcycle, the trail ends roughly one mile before you reach the lake and requires that you go the rest of the way on foot. You may find that some vehicles can handle the rough wilderness around the trail.

Length: 0.5 miles

Intensity: Intermediate

Fishing and Boating

As an alpine lake, Little Lost Lake is too shallow for boats and does not have any fish stocked in the water. It is close to Smoky Lake and Upper Norton Lake as well as Lower Norton Lake and Big Lost Lake. Five different types of whitefish are native to the region and are easy to catch in those waters.

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing is one of the more popular activities in and around Little Lost Lake. There are more than 300 different types of animals found in this region of Idaho, including lynx and grizzly bears. You may see big-eared bats and wolverines along with boreal toads and woodland caribous.

Picnicking

The Avery Creek Picnic Area is one of the top places to enjoy a meal. It has an outhouse and potable water. You might see a few wild ducks roaming around and begging for food as you eat.

Hunting

If you're looking for BLM camping in Idaho for hunting, you'll find that Little Lost Lake offers plenty of opportunities. You must remain within the borders of the Idaho Panhandle and have a proper license. There are several companies that offer big game hunting trips to help you track elk and other large animals.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

There are plenty of RV camping options near Little Lost Lake if you want more amenities than Bureau of Land Management campgrounds offer. The Nugget RV Park in nearby St. Regis, Montana, lets you check in until 8 p.m. and has more than two miles of hiking trails where you have the chance to hunt for whimsical faces hidden in the trees. Birdland Bay RV Resort is a little farther away in Thompson Falls. This RV park has excursions that take you down the river and 26 RV sites that give you up to 140 feet. If you don't want to travel to another state, consider Hidden Creek Campground in North Fork, which gives you convenient access to the Clearwater River and hiking trails and offers 13 individual RV sites and a separate site reserved for groups.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping is available near Little Lost Lake. These sites offer free BLM camping via primitive spots. These spots are hard to reach and are not large enough for RVs. You can drive an ATV or motorcycle to the camping area and set up a tent, but you cannot reach the campground in your RV. The USDA also oversees several free campgrounds near Little Lost Lake with limited amenities.

RV Rentals Near Little Lost Lake Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Little Lost Lake BLM trip

BLM RV camping is available at Little Lost Lake, but these sites do not offer many amenities and are hard to reach. Many visitors prefer staying in an RV park in Idaho or Montana and heading to the lake in the morning. Make sure that you give yourself enough time to follow the trail back to your car. The area gets dark quickly and does not have any lights. Bringing a few lanterns will ensure that you can find your way back after sunset. Keep in mind that you should bring an extra pair of shoes, especially if the ground is muddy after a storm. If you follow the trail on an ATV, pack a spare tire. Cellphone reception is limited, and you may find yourself stuck for hours with a flat.

No matter where or how you want to camp, check out all of our helpful BLM camping tips on our blog. You can get help planning a fun trip to Little Lost Lake and finding things to do nearby.

Leave No Trace

The BLM does not have workers who clean up after campers or visitors. It encourages everyone to leave no trace. Make sure that you bring bags to take back all of the things you bring with you to the lake. You should also use caution when eating as the wild animals may attempt to steal your food. Never feed any of these animals as it reduces their natural fear of humans. You should always remain cautious if you head off the trail. Little Lost Lake has a trail that takes you close to the water, but not all of the way there. You never know what you might run into if you take your vehicle off the trail to reduce your hike to the lake.

Little Lost Lake Location

To reach Little Lost Lake, take Forest Road 301 south from Avery for approximately 18 miles. When you reach Little Fork Campground, turn onto Forest Road 760, and head east until you hit Forest Road 1925, which is about four miles away. The road has an entrance to Little Lost Creek and a sign that directs you to the trailhead, which helps you reach the lake.

Address: 3815 N. Scrieber Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815

Ready to visit Little Lost Lake? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.

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