Overlooking the Kalispel Tribe’s buffalo herd and scenic pow wow grounds, this 7,700 square foot recreation center offers plenty of healthy activities. Kids of all ages can splash to their hearts’ content in the two indoor activity pools with slides and a water playground. More serious swimmers can do laps in the competition-sized lap pool. You can even test your climbing skills on the 32-foot indoor climbing wall, challenge your friends to a game of basketball or pickleball in the full-sized gym, or flex your muscles and boost your heart rate on the fitness floor. Drop-in childcare service is available and a teen room with ping pong, foosball and computer lab will give the older kids something fun to do. Need to wind down and relax? Enjoy a dip in the hot tub or spend some peaceful moments in our saunas.

Grab your binoculars and your camera… and enjoy exploring the region’s wildlife! Count how many different birds you can spot – from hummingbirds to herons and ospreys to swans. Speaking of swans, join us for the annual Tundra Swan Festival each March at the Camas Center. We’ll give you a tour of Calispell Lake where you can view these birds as they visit our valley on the way to their breeding territories in the North American Arctic.

The trail is a 70-mile stretch of the north-flowing Pend Oreille River from Oldtown, Idaho, to Boundary Dam, just south of the Canadian Border. Bring your binoculars along to get a close-up view of nesting birds and waterfowl and explore estuaries and sloughs. You can even do a little fishing along the way. If the river’s not your speed, visit one of the nearby lakes. Sacheen Lake, Davis Lake, Marshall Lake and Bead Lake are just a few of the local favorites, where you can enjoy a relaxing day paddling on the water and taking in the scenes of emerald green forests and the picturesque Selkirk Mountains.

The parking lot is spacious enough for several vehicles and trailers, and the park includes washrooms, a basketball court, and skate park, as well as a couple of picnic pavilions.

For lake boating, launch at the Bead Lake boat launch. Bead Lake is the largest lake in Pend Oreille County covering more than 700 acres. Parking is limited. Be aware of the 100 foot no wake zone along the lakeshore, and ensure all watercraft are clean prior to launching to prevent the spread of invasive species. Parking and usage fees are applicable.

A few local favorites are: 

• South Skookum Trail, Colville National Forest #138. This trail is a 1.3 mile loop along the shore of South Skookum Lake. Take in the view from one of the benches and watch for area wildlife. Parking fee may be applicable.
• Pioneer Park Heritage Trail, Colville National Forest #321. Need a quick refreshing walk outdoors? Enjoy this short, one-third mile hike and learn about the history of the Kalispel Tribe through interpretive displays. Take in the views of the Pend Oreille River from the elevated boardwalk. Day use/parking pass fees may be applicable.
• Bead Lake Trail, Colville National Forest # 127. Have time for a day hike? Enjoy the 11.4-mile roundtrip Bead Lake Trail where you’ll pass under a canopy of mixed conifers and old growth cedars along the peaceful shoreline of Bead Lake.

The Kalispel Tribe’s buffalo can be seen from a paved pull-off area on LeClerc Road, just south of the Camas Center. Just step out of your vehicle and enjoy the sight of these animals against the backdrop of Calispell Peak and the Pend Oreille River. Buffalo have long been a part of Kalispel culture, and historically, Kalispel tribal members seeking a sense of adventure would travel to Montana to hunt them. In 1974, the U.S. National Park Service presented the Tribe with 12 buffalo to start the herd, which is now maintained at about 100 head, which roam over 600 acres. Join us for our annual #BabyBuffaloWatch each spring by spotting the newborn calves with your binoculars.