State Parks (Near Coeur d’Alene):
- Farragut—20 miles North of Coeur d’ Alene, ID, 4000 acres open year round. It’s great for camping, picnics, hikes, mountain biking, fishing, boating, swimming, water sports, viewing wildlife, disc golf, flying model aircraft, archery, horseback riding.
- Heyburn—This is the oldest park in the Northwest. Towering pines give way to flower-filled meadows and placid waters. Visitors enjoy peaceful cottages, cabins and campsites, admiring the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps who built many buildings in there in the 1930s.
- Round Lake— The park is beautifully forested, on the edge of a 58-acre lake, where Canada geese fly over towering trees and osprey dive for perch. Hikers discover beaver lodges, glimpsing a resident moose, while fishers hear a chorus of bullfrogs and birds as they cast for rainbow trout or bass.
- Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission—The Old Mission State Park spotlights the oldest building in Idaho, built between 1850 and 1853 by Catholic missionaries and members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. The entire park provides an educational experience not found anywhere else. Visitors examine the dynamics and complexities between Jesuit priests and the tribe amongst whom they settled. The park features the chapel, a restored Parish House and a historic cemetery.
- Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes—The trail is a 72-mile paved trail spanning the Idaho panhandle. It was created through a partnership between the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Union Pacific Railroad, the U. S. Government, and the State of Idaho. The trail begins in the Silver Valley, continues along the Coeur d’Alene River past Lake Coeur d’Alene and through farmlands to Plummer
- .Fun Fact: The Idaho State Parks Passport is a $10 annual sticker for Idahoans, available for purchase when you register your motorhome or vehicle. This sticker waives parking and entry fees to Idaho State Parks.
Lakes and Rivers:
- Coeur d’Alene Lake—The lake is the second largest lake in Idaho, and was described by National Geographic as one of the five most beautiful lakes in the world. Coeur d’Alene lake has more than 135 miles of treed shores, fed by two rivers with a one outlet.
- Fernan Lake—The lake is a popular fishing spot 10 minutes from downtown Coeur d’Alene. Anglers of all abilities can enjoy fishing from floating docks, shoreline, or boats.
- Hauser Lake—The lake is located at the southern edge of the Selkirk Mountains. 625-acre Hauser Lake is cherished for its quiet beauty and recreation for boaters, anglers, water skiers and swimmers.
- Hayden Lake—As one of several natural lakes in northern Idaho, Hayden Lake’s shoreline is heavily populated with homes and has limited public access. Hayden Lake is a peaceful, semi-secluded lake.
- Pend Oreille Lake—It’s the state’s largest and deepest lakes, there are only four deeper lakes in the nation). It’s got terrific scenery, clean water, big fish, and a fascinating history.
- Spokane River—The river drains from Lake Coeur d’Alene, emptying into the Columbia River. The Spokane River supports great fishing with small stretches of whitewater.
- St Joe River—The St Joe River is the centerpiece of the St Joe National Forest, known as the world’s most navigable river. Several campgrounds are located on the river, attracting many with whitewater and fishing.
- Twin Lakes—Twin Lakes, as implied, are two lakes joined by a 10’ deep and wide thoroughfare. This tree and mountain surrounded lake is great for all types of water sports.