Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the trail?

The trailhead begins on City of Sandpoint property at the Sandpoint Water Treatment Plant (which is the site of a proposed city park) just past the Edgewater and Season Condo’s. Currently the trail begins at the trailhead parking lot and continues for approximately 1.5 miles along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. The trail ends at a fence marking a private landowners property and returns along the same path. Total distance of the trail is currently 3 miles up and back. Future hopes for the trail include an underpass under the railroad and extending the trail along the north side of the tracks into Kootenai. Additional trailheads would then be located in Ponderay and Kootenai once the trail is continued into these communities. Click to view a Google map with the trailhead indicated.

Why is there a gate on the shoreline trail?

The gate signifies the end of the publicly owned trail and the beginning of private property. Please respect the property owners and do not go past the gate. We are working on a way to connect the trail into Ponderay and Kootenai so there is more than one entrance to the trail.

What is Black Rock?

Black Rock is an old slag heap from the Panhandle Smelting and Refining Company. The area now is contaminated with some heavy metals. The site is on private property and is the subject of an environmental assessment by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The assessment will result in a cleanup plan for the property.

Click image below for more information on mitigation efforts to reduce heavy metal pollutants at Black Rock and on the trail.

What can I do to help?

The Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail succeeded in their capital campaign to help purchase property in the corridor. We raised the needed $400,000 purchase price thanks to the support of hundreds of donors and private foundations. The Friends will continue to be the stewards of the trail and to work to continue the trail northward into the city of Kootenai. Future hopes for the trail include an underpass into Ponderay, interpretive signage along the trail and a new trailhead in Kootenai. To help with these projects you can make a donation, or volunteer to help with fundraising or trail work. To volunteer, contact us at friends@pobtrail.org.

You can make a donation on-line (“Donate” button) or by sending a check to:

Friends of the Pend d’Oreiller Bay Trail
P.O. Box 1607
Sandpoint, ID 83864

The trail sounds great! How do I find it?

You can access the trail at the trailhead that is located next to the Sandpoint Water Treatment Plant. To get there, head towards Sandpoint City Beach and either park in the City Beach Parking lot and walk to the trail head or turn left onto Sandpoint Avenue before the Edgewater Resort, proceed north past the resort and the Season’s Condos where you will find parking at the trailhead for a handful of cars. Click to view a Google map with the trailhead indicated.

How long is the proposed trail?

The existing trail is about 1.5 miles long. Proposals are being contemplated that would extend the trail into Kootenai and increase the length of the trail to close to 2.5 miles.