Albeni Cove Campground
Amenities
Campsite with associated fees. Swimming, boating, water access. Bathrooms and parking available.
History
Albeni Falls Dam is located on the Pend Oreille River on the site of a natural waterfall called Albeni Falls, named after early pioneer Albeni Poirier. Poirier had arrived in the area in the 1880s and staked a claim adjacent to the waterfall. Not long after, he met his wife Mary, a tourist who had come on the train to see the falls. This site provides a poignant snapshot of Idaho history; in March of 1863, Idaho Territory was established by an Act of Congress, and the progress of the time turned old-growth forests into railroads and money.
Along with the tourists, promoters arrived and suggested damming the river at the waterfall in order to impound the water upstream. The idea did not immediately come to fruition.
Construction on the dam began in 1951 and was completed in 1955 at a cost of $34 million. It produces over 200 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year for the Bonneville Power Administration, and is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The dam changed the landscape upstream, to the point that the US government paid people as little as $30 per acre for land lost to the rising water.
Albeni Campground Restrooms: Well-maintained restroom facilities with flush toilets and coin-operated showers. A convenient dog-tie post is also provided near the entrance for visitors traveling with pets.
Life Jacket Loaner Station: Life jacket loaners are available at the Albeni boat launch in a range of sizes for visitors of all ages. Jackets can be borrowed and returned at the station after use.
Albeni Campground Dock : Small dock adjacent to the boat launch. No cleats are provided, so boats cannot be securely tied up at this dock.
Railroad Bridge Near Albeni Dam: Railroad bridge spanning the Pend Oreille River near Albeni Dam. Restriction signs indicate that boaters cannot travel beyond the bridge.
Albeni campground bridge and bay: Fishermen fish off the banks in the campground inlet at dusk.
Albeni Campground Day-Use Boat Launch: Day-use boat launch facilities at Albeni Campground, with the life jacket loaner station located alongside the launch. A separate designated swimming area is provided, so swimming is not permitted at the boat launch.