Priest River is a city in Bonner County, Idaho and is truly a "town that logs built." The population was 1,696 at the 2020 census, and 1,751 at the 2010 census. Located in the Idaho Panhandle region of the state, the city is at the mouth of the Priest River on the Pend Oreille River.
Welcome to the City of Priest River! We are defined less by boundaries on a map than by the sense of shared values our residents hold dear. We take pride in maintaining a wholesome lifestyle, rich in cultural history, along with a deep commitment to the preservation of our environment and a progressive approach to local business.
Priest River is one of Idaho’s best-kept secrets. Centrally located in a recreation paradise, nestled in the Selkirk Mountain Range, it is bordered by the Priest River on the east and the Pend Oreille River on the south.
RV parks and campgrounds, recreational rentals, skiing, golfing, fishing, boating, hunting and many other attractions and activities are within easy reach. World-class fishing can be had at many area lakes, both large and small. Hikers enjoy taking the trail up Gisborne Mountain for views and possible wildlife spotting from the lookout at the Priest River Experimental Forest. Huckleberry and mushroom pickers can have their choice of bounty depending on the season. Priest River is a stop on the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage Scenic Byway, and part of the International Selkirk Loop.