Harrison Lake (Selkirk Mountains)

Idaho Panhandle National Forests (Pack River, north of Sandpoint)

Harrison Lake sits in a granite amphitheater below the Selkirk Crest, the jagged spine of the mountains north of Sandpoint. It’s a short hike, about 2.3 miles each way with about 1,500 feet of climbing. Visit Idaho calls it a popular day hike and a great spot to spend a night or two.

This is moose and grizzly country, so come prepared to store food carefully.

The hike

The trailhead is near the end of Pack River Road No. 231. The Idaho Conservation League says to drive 13 miles north of Sandpoint on U.S. 95, turn west on Pack River Road, and go about 20.5 miles. It says directions are well signed in the upper Pack River and that the trailhead has a vault toilet. The trail is Harrison Lake Trail #217.

Visit Idaho describes the Selkirks as a 70-mile-long range running from Lake Pend Oreille to the Canadian border, with alpine lakes, fishing, ridge scrambling, and huckleberry picking. Its writer’s group picked huckleberries on the way up and reached Harrison Lake after a few hours of hiking.

The Idaho Conservation League says the trail follows an old logging road for a mile or so, then climbs through subalpine fir and spruce into the rocks. The Forest Service has cleared a few spots along the way for views of The Beehive, Bottleneck Peak, and Roman Nose. Look above the trail for Harrison Peak’s hooked summit to the north. The league gives the round trip as 4.6 miles with 1,500 feet of gain and rates it moderate.

HikeArizona’s description says the trail heads west as it approaches the lake, which is bordered on three sides by the Selkirk Crest. Several small trails lead to the shoreline, and campsites edge the lake. It also notes that Harrison Lake is the headwaters of the Pack River, which begins at the lake’s southeastern edge. Harrison Peak rises about 1,100 feet above the north side of the lake. The Idaho Conservation League puts its summit at 7,292 feet.

Visit Idaho’s writer describes the lake nestled under a towering amphitheater of gray granite, ringed by hardy evergreens, with fish rising at sunset. The Idaho Conservation League notes that snow lingers along the southern shore for a long time, protected by the high cliffs above it.

The lake is a jumping-off point for bigger trips. The Idaho Conservation League says the Myrtle Creek Trail No. 6 joins the Harrison Lake Trail about a quarter mile from the lake. From there, off-trail hikers climb Harrison Peak or scramble cross-country to Little Harrison Lake and Upper Beehive Lake. Visit Idaho’s group crossed the Selkirk Crest from Harrison Lake and came down the Beehive Lake Trail over two nights. The Forest Service has closed Beehive Lake Trail #279 through Dec. 31, 2027, after the 2026 Silver Fire, so that exit isn’t open for now. Outbound lists a similar Harrison to Beehive Lake traverse at about 9.5 miles with 3,000 feet of gain. HikeArizona mentions a use trail on the far side of the lake that leads up to the crest.

Those routes involve off-trail travel. For a simple overnight, the lake itself is the destination.

Tips

Arrive early on weekends. Visit Idaho says there are several campsites around the lake but to get there early on busy weekends.
Store food in the locker. HikeArizona describes a bear-resistant food storage locker on the southeast edge of the lake. Carry bear spray and store all food and scented items properly.
Treat it as fragile. The Idaho Conservation League calls this a high-use area and asks every visitor to take great care to minimize impacts.
Expect snow on the south shore. The Idaho Conservation League says it lingers there because of the high cliffs.
Huckleberry season. Visit Idaho’s group picked huckleberries on the way up.

Camping

Camping is dispersed around the lake. The Idaho Conservation League says campsites are scattered among gigantic boulders at the east end. HikeArizona says most campsites seem to be near the southeast edge, where the food locker is. From April 1 to Dec. 1, a Forest Service food storage order (01-04-00-24-001) covers National Forest lands in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, and Priest Lake Ranger Districts north of the Clark Fork River, Lake Pend Oreille, and the Pend Oreille River. Unattended food and garbage must be stored in a bear-resistant way, such as an approved bear-resistant container or a hang at least 10 feet up and 4 feet out. The order doesn’t name Harrison Lake, so check its map or ask the Sandpoint Ranger District whether it applies here.

Inside Intel: The east end is where the camping is. The Idaho Conservation League describes sites scattered among giant boulders there, and one hiker places most sites near the southeast corner, close to the bear locker. Because this is a popular day hike too, Visit Idaho’s advice is to arrive early on a busy weekend to get a spot. Evenings are the reward: Visit Idaho’s writer watched fish rising as the sun went down.

Trail facts

Distance: About 4.6 miles round trip
Route type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: About 1,500 feet of gain (Idaho Conservation League)
Campsites: Dispersed, mostly at the east and southeast end of the lake
Water: The lake. Treat all water.
Permits: None found. Confirm with the Forest Service.
Bear and food storage: Bear-resistant locker reported near the southeast shore. A seasonal Forest Service food storage order (April 1 to Dec. 1) covers parts of the Sandpoint Ranger District; check whether it applies. Grizzly country; carry bear spray.
Trailhead: Harrison Lake Trailhead #217, near the end of Pack River Road No. 231, north of Sandpoint. Vault toilet.
Last verified: October 17, 2026

The Lowdown

Where the snow lingers:

Snow hangs on along Harrison Lake's shady south shore, so nights can run cold. See which sleeping bags testers trust.

Read the full guide →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.