Visiting Coeur d'Alene?
If you’re looking forward to visiting the Coeur d’Alene (CDA) area, you’ve picked the ideal destination for fun, adventure, and entertainment. You’ll find an abundance of natural attractions in the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho area. Located in Northern Idaho, this flourishing community offers visitors and residents access to parks, lakes, trails, and rivers for those who love nature.
Coeur d’Alene River Area
The Coeur d’Alene River runs from Silver Valley to Lake Coeur d’Alene. This river provides hikers and bikers with miles of white water, trails, and pathways in which to explore. Seasonal campgrounds place you in the heart of Coeur d’Alene River, so you enjoy everything the area has to offer.
Trail Of Coeur d’Alene – The Trail of Coeur d’Alene is a paved pathway that begins in Plummer, Idaho, and ends in Mullan. Idaho. This 73-mile trail passes over the southern part Coeur d’Alene Lake at the Historic Chatcolet Bridge, located about 26 miles southeast of Coeur d’Alene.
Other noteworthy points of interest along the trail include Harrison Marina, Cave Lake, Bull Run Lake, Old Mission State Park, Backwater Bay, Solver Mountain, and Sunshine Mine Memorial. Along this 10-foot wide paved path, adventurers will find twenty scenic waysides and twenty other trailheads to explore.
- Camping – While not permitted along the Trail of Coeur d’Alene, visitors can find available campgrounds and campsites close to the trail. The Forest Service operates over a dozen campgrounds with facilities for groups, RV’s, and offers cabin rentals. Typically, the peak season for camping in the area runs from May to September. During the winter or off-season, some campgrounds may provide limited services.
- Fishing – The River Coeur d’Alene holds a wealth of native fish, and the North Fork is a preeminent destination for fly fishing. Types of fish commonly caught in the Coeur d’Alene River include Cutthroat, West slope cutthroat, brook, bull, and rainbow trout. In addition to trout, other species of fish include kokanee and chinook salmon. To help preserve the area, and wildlife, be sure to check for restrictions or fishing regulations before dropping your line.
- Winter Activities – For those planning a winter visit, Coeur d’Alene is a winter wonderland. When ideal conditions exist, sections of the trail get groomed and maintained to support winter activities, including snowshoeing, fat tire biking, and other nordic activities.
- Learning Programs – Visitors on the Trail of Coeur d’Alene can participate in Interpretive programs, as well as learn at their own pace by reading informative signs and exhibits available through the length of the trail. Old Mission State Park is home to Sacred Encounters. This permanent display features the Indians of the Rocky Mountains and Father DeSmet, an ordained Jesuit Priest working as a missionary. Both Heyburn State Park and Old Mission State Park offer Junior Ranger programs for younger adventurers visiting the area.
Coeur d'Alene Points Of Interest – Activities – Attractions
Lake Coeur d’Alene
Lake Coeur d’Alene is a natural lake formed after the Missoula floods. River Coeur d’Alene and Saint Joe River feed the lake, and it outflows to the Spokane River. This freshwater lake and the rivers that feed it support multiple wildlife species.
Birds – Lake Coeur d’Alene is a bird watchers paradise! Varieties and types of birds common in the region include bald eagles, downy woodpeckers, red-tail hawks, osprey, great blue herons, geese, ducks, kingfishers, wild turkey, snipe, owls, gray partridges, bluebirds, goldfinches, white-crowned sparrows, and mourning doves.
Fish – Lake Coeur d’Alene is home to multiple species of fish including
Northern Pike, Largescale and Longnose Sucker, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pikeminnow, Tiger Musky, Pumpkinseed, Tench, Yellow Perch, various species of Sculpin, West Slope Cutthroat Trout, Black Crappie, and Bull Trout (which is a protected species in the state of Idaho. Any bull trout caught must get released unharmed back into the water.)
Wildlife – Lake Coeur d’Alene has a diverse variety of mammals and other wildlife that call the area home. Animals that are native to Lake Coeur d’Alene include grizzly bears, mountain lions, deer, elk, wolves, muskrats, salamanders, and other forest animals.
Family Friendly Coeur d’Alene
Coeur d’Alene is a great family-friendly travel destination for active families. Activities and attractions are abundant, giving visitors a wide range of things to do during their stay.
White Water Rafting – White Water Rafting is a great way to experience the landscape uniquely. Ride the water and see nature at it’s very best.
Explore – Spend some time exploring the North Idaho Centennial Trail, a 23-mile paved section of trail that runs through Coeur d’Alene. The trail extends to the Washington border, where it turns into the Spokane River Centennial Trail.
Relax – The Coeur d’Alene area has plenty of places to relax and have family fun. Indoor water parks offer accommodations and an on-site waterpark. Local beaches, including City Park Beach and Lake Coeur d’Alene, are the perfect place to enjoy the sunshine and fresh, crisp waters.
Entertainment – Enjoy a gentle boat ride with a lake or river cruise in Coeur d’Alene. It’s a great way to enjoy your time and get a different vantage point of the region. Or play golf at a breathtaking golf course that features a floating green. If you’re feeling flighty, timberline adventures give visitors a way to get a birdseye view of the treelines.
Shopping – Downtown Coeur d’Alene is home to over one hundred restaurants and shops. With this type of variety in one place, you’re sure to find something unique that suits your taste, however, if you can’t find what you need downtown, the Silver Lake Mall, the Village at Riverstone, and the Pilgrim’s Market offer even more selection.
Games Of Chance – Visitors can try their lady luck at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel. This resort features a high-end spa, as well as dining, gaming, and live entertainment.
Planning Your Visit
If you are thinking about visiting Coeur d’Alene, there are plenty of hotels, resorts, and camping areas to accommodate you during your stay. We’re sure it will be an experience that you and your family won’t soon forget.