Priest River lies at the confluence of the Pend Oreille River and the Priest River. The local rivers and lakes offer a variety of water sports and other activities for water-based recreation; parks and historic sites provide a different focus. You can therefore consider the area from several perspectives when planning your trip: landscape and water, community green spaces, and cultural history. Two Rivers Park combines the riverside setting with urban park planning, while the museum and Historic District offer specific historical topics.

Rivers, Parks, and Nature

Two Rivers Park is located at the confluence of the Pend Oreille River and the Priest River. Its redesign is still underway. Plans include open park areas, recreational and riverfront trails, and accessible access for swimming and launching boats. If you want to plan a visit around one of these planned features, check the status of the redesign in advance.

The City of Priest River’s Parks Department provides parks for residents and visitors. The city parks are suitable for nature-focused visits and offer playgrounds for children. Priest River Recreation Area is one mile east of Priest River on Highway 2. North of Priest River, in the surrounding area, is the Priest River Experimental Forest, which showcases forest ecosystems of the Northern Rocky Mountain region. These natural sites differ in location: a park at the confluence, a recreation area east of town on Highway 2, and a forest area north of town.

Museum and Historical Development

The Priest River Museum & Timber Education Center presents the history and activities of the local community. It is housed in a yellow-and-white house built by Henry Keyser in 1895 and moved within the city limits of Priest River. Check the opening hours before visiting the museum.

The Priest River Commercial Core Historic District is located within Gillingham's Addition in the incorporated city of Priest River, Idaho. It is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A and is significant for its role in the economic development of Bonner County, Idaho, and northern Idaho in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From 1912 to 1924, the Priest River Commercial Core contributed to the expansion of tourism and recreation in northern Idaho. The two historic destinations offer different perspectives: the museum connects the story of a specific house with community themes, while the Commercial Core focuses on its economic role in the county and in northern Idaho.

Timber Days on the Annual Calendar

The Timber Day Festival is celebrated as an annual tradition on the last weekend of July. Timber Days was scheduled for Saturday, July 25, in 2026; the event takes place in downtown Priest River. If you are planning your trip around Timber Days, check the specific date for that year.

Discover more destinations: Blanchard, Sandpoint, Coolin, Hope, Sagle, Ponderay, Athol

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