Submarines in Lake Pend Oreille? The Gem State is just full of surprises! Few people realize that the United States’ top underwater outpost is tucked away in the Panhandle of landlocked Idaho, but even fewer know the unique history of this advanced submarine base.

Before our country’s underwater military vessels can be added to the U.S. Naval fleet, each piece of state-of-the-art technology must be tested under open water conditions without venturing into the dangerous ocean territory. That’s where Lake Pend Oreille comes in! This gorgeous Northern Idaho lake acts as a small-scale Area 51 – only instead of housing aliens, it’s home to a uniquely fascinating submarine base that also serves a national purpose. How awesome is that!? Check it out:

Nestled in Idaho's Panhandle is the tiny lakefront town of Bayview, whose year-round population is just over 500.
Stan Petersen/Flickr
This woodsy waterfront haven is set on the scenic shores of Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho's largest lake.
D. Taylor in Idaho/Flickr
But unbeknownst to many, hidden beneath the surface of this stunning lake is something absolutely fascinating: a massive submarine base that can be likened to an underwater Area 51.
gjohnstonphoto/Getty
It's called the U.S. Navy Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD) and it still remains one of the Navy's best-kept secrets even today.
Ed Webster/Flickr
Submarines up to 88 feet long dip and dive through the waters as researchers explore the latest in underwater acoustics. Many of the subs are scaled down in size, but the work that takes place here is completely unsurpassed by any other area in the country.
And it's right here in Idaho!
Zoe Cauvel/GoogleMaps
Lake Pend Oreille is Idaho’s largest, deepest, and quietest body of water, which makes it perfect for top-secret underwater missions.
Wikimedia Commons
The incredible depth is key for naval fleet testing. As the 5th deepest lake in the country (close to 1150 feet), the sound-insulating properties of the water are impeccable. And the calm, crystal-clear waters, combined with the chilly temperatures, mimic the open ocean without all of the hazards that come from military testing offshore.

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Despite being nearly 400 miles from the nearest ocean, Lake Pend Oreille is often called the U.S. submarine force's most important body of water... which is rather impressive.
Wikimedia Commons
Most of the ARD's testing is done in key locations on, or tethered to, the bottom of the lake.
Andy Miccone/Flickr
In fact, this small, obscurely-located base has assisted with every major submarine tech development in since 1960. Sensitive enough to hear even raindrops on the surface of the water, each piece of machinery is heavily tested within the lake's depths for range, accuracy, and buoyancy design.
The ARD is also just a stone's throw away from Idaho's original Naval training base at Farragut.
Scott Shepherd/GoogleMaps
This gorgeous state park is full of so much more than just breathtaking scenery and stellar recreation opportunities. It also comes with its own haunted legends. (Just in case you're feeling curious.)
Pend Oreille even has its own legendary monster, named the Paddler.
klshrieves/Flickr
Many assume that sightings of this legendary beast are just repeated sightings of the underwater subs themselves. What do you believe?
It may not look anything like the secret desert agency shown in movies, but this stunning lake houses stuff you wouldn't believe.
Mark Haskell/GoogleMaps
Like, its own submarine graveyard for starters.
So the next time you're out for a leisurely float or swim in the lake, just remember what might be poking around the water underneath you.
RTCA NPS/Flickr
But be sure to enjoy the view while you're here!
Lee Stone/Flickr

For a landlocked state like Idaho to have such a high-tech underwater research facility is absolutely incredible – and the fact that it’s so top-secret just adds to the unique curiosity factor, doesn’t it? Of course, Lake Pend Oreille’s submarines aren’t for the casual visitor to stumble upon… but you can definitely learn more about Idaho’s unique submarine base by visiting Farragut State Park, home of the original Farragut Naval Training Station in the 1940s.

Speaking of hidden gems in Idaho, check out this overlooked cedar grove near Moscow.

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Lake Pend Oreille In Idaho & Related Info

Melissa M. | June 17, 2021

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Let’s learn some fun facts about the Gem State! The state grows about a third of the nation’s supply of potatoes, which is most like why Idaho is so famous for them. It also has the longest Main Street in the country at 33 miles in the town of Island Park. At Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, you can ride the longest gondola in the world and the boardwalk in Coeur d’Alene is supposedly the longest one in the world at 3,300 feet long. The state is also home to Shoshone Falls, otherwise known as the “Niagara Falls of the West.” The state of Idaho is quite fascinating, isn't it?

What are some mysterious places in Idaho?

The Gem State certainly has its share of mysterious places, some of which defy all explanation. Craters of the Moon in Central Idaho is home to twisted trees that were once caught in the pathway of ancient lava flows and look both beautiful and otherworldly. The only river in the country to flow between two lakes is St. Joe which runs between Lake Coeur d’Alene and Benewah Lake. You can learn about these locations and more in this post.

What are the most beautiful lakes in Idaho?

One of the clearest lakes in Idaho also happens to be one of the most beautiful. Henry’s Lake close to Island Park boasts water so clear you can see right to the bottom. Rent a campsite here for a lovely escape in nature. Bear Lake on the Idaho-Utah border has a gorgeous beach and shoreline that rivals the coast. The water is also a stunning turquoise color making it one of the most beautiful lakes in the state.

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Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, USA