Lake Pend Oreille is Idaho’s largest lake, as well as the fourth deepest in the nation, and its waters and ecosystem extend into the wide mouth of the Pend Oreille River. The lake and this first section of the river boast over 160 miles of shoreline, and together those miles of shoreline make up the Pend Oreille water trail. 

This water trail highlights 56 historic public access spots that are artifacts in their own right. The trail begins on the north side of the Pend Oreille River near the town of Priest River, travels eastward into Lake Pend Oreille, dips north into Sand Creek at the town of Sandpoint, and then continues along the lake shoreline clockwise until it runs into the river again on the southern side, and then travels west to Albeni Falls Dam.