Coeur dAlene Idaho Lake Cruises and Hiawatha Bike Trail

Why visit Coeur d'Alene

Few American towns put such fine outdoor scenery so close to a walkable downtown. You can hike a forest trail, swim from a public beach, take a lake cruise and walk to dinner without moving your car.

The wider region adds variety. To the east lies the Silver Valley, a historic mining district with one of the longest paved rail trails in the country. Further east, near the Montana line, the Route of the Hiawatha is one of the most scenic bike rides in the West.

Downtown and the lakefront

Most of Coeur d'Alene's highlights are within a short walk of each other along the north shore of the lake.

Tubbs Hill

This forested hill of about one hundred and twenty acres rises from the lake right next to downtown and is protected as a natural park.

The floating boardwalk and marina

Next to the Coeur d'Alene Resort, a floating boardwalk loops around the marina and is often described as the longest of its kind in the world. Walking it gives you views of the lake, the boats and Tubbs Hill, and it connects with the shops of the resort plaza.

McEuen Park and City Park

McEuen Park, at the foot of Tubbs Hill, has lawns, a playground, a dog park, sports courts and a grand staircase down to the lake.

Sherman Avenue

Downtown's main street is lined with galleries, boutiques, bookstores, cafes and tasting rooms. Hudson's Hamburgers, on Sherman Avenue since the early twentieth century, is a local institution known for its simple counter burgers.

On and around the lake

To understand why people love this place, get out on the water or drive along its shore.

Lake Coeur d'Alene cruises

Sightseeing cruises leave from the downtown marina in summer, offering a relaxing way to see the bays, the lakeside homes and the forested hills.

Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive and Higgins Point

This scenic road follows the shoreline east of the city to Higgins Point, a rocky headland with lake views, a short walking trail and a popular spot for eagle watching in early winter.

Mineral Ridge

On the east side of the lake near Beauty Bay, this short interpretive hiking trail climbs through forest to viewpoints over Wolf Lodge Bay. It is a good choice for families and for eagle season.

History and day trips

Some of the region's most memorable sights are an easy drive from town.

Old Mission State Park

About half an hour east on Interstate 90, the Mission of the Sacred Heart at Cataldo was built in the mid-nineteenth century by members of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe working with Jesuit missionaries, using wattle, mud and wooden pegs. It is the oldest standing building in Idaho.

Route of the Hiawatha

Near Lookout Pass on the Idaho and Montana border, this famous rail trail follows the old Milwaukee Road line through long tunnels and over high steel trestles in the Bitterroot Mountains.

Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes

This paved rail trail runs more than seventy miles across the Panhandle, from Mullan in the Silver Valley to Plummer, passing wetlands, small towns and the southern end of the lake. A historic railroad bridge carries it across the water at Chatcolet near Heyburn State Park.

Silverwood Theme Park and Farragut State Park

North of the city near Athol, Silverwood is the largest theme park in the Northwest, with roller coasters and an adjoining water park.

Food and local flavors

Downtown Coeur d'Alene, especially Sherman Avenue and the side streets near the lake, has the city's best concentration of restaurants, cafes, breweries and wine tasting rooms.

Look for local trout and Pacific Northwest salmon on menus, and craft beer from the many breweries in the area. Wine from the nearby Spokane and Columbia valleys is widely poured.

Where to stay

Downtown and the lakefront suit first-time visitors and couples who want to walk to the beach, Tubbs Hill, restaurants and cruises.

The neighborhoods along Northwest Boulevard and the Spokane River have quieter streets and quick access to downtown and the Centennial Trail.

Families planning a lake week often rent cabins or homes on the eastern bays or in towns such as Harrison on the south end of the lake.

Best time to visit

Summer is peak season, with warm, dry days, cool evenings and the lake at its best for swimming and boating from late June into early September.

September is lovely: the crowds thin, the water is still warm and the trails are quieter.

Getting there and getting around

Spokane International Airport, in Washington, is the nearest major airport, with flights from many western and central US hubs. It is about forty-five minutes west of Coeur d'Alene by car via Interstate 90.

Downtown Coeur d'Alene is easy to explore on foot, and bike paths link the lakefront with the Centennial Trail.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Hike the Tubbs Hill loop in the morning, swim at City Park beach, then stroll Sherman Avenue and walk the floating boardwalk at sunset.

Second day

Take a lake cruise in the morning, visit the Museum of North Idaho, then bike or drive Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive to Higgins Point.

Third day

Drive east to Old Mission State Park, continue to Wallace for lunch and ride the Route of the Hiawatha in the afternoon.

Fourth day

Spend the day at Silverwood, or relax at Farragut State Park, then enjoy a final lakeside dinner downtown.

Practical tips

• Book summer lodging and holiday weekends well ahead, since prices and demand rise sharply.
• Buy Hiawatha trail passes and shuttle tickets in advance on peak weekends, and bring a strong bike light.
• Wear a life jacket when paddling, and remember that the lake stays cold below the surface even in summer.
• Check Idaho boating rules, including watercraft inspection and invasive species requirements, if you bring a boat.
• Keep a safe distance from eagles and other wildlife, and use binoculars rather than approaching.
• Carry sun protection and water on Tubbs Hill and the rail trails, where shade is limited in places.

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