Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’Alene, a small city in northwest Idaho and easily one of the most underrated cities in the United States, is a hidden gem replete with glistening lakes, resplendent nature, and contagious fun.

Overview Attractions / Activities Food Final Comments

Tucked away near the northwestern tip of Idaho is a paradise known to few—Coeur d’Alene. As a prime vacation destination for the locals and those fortunate enough to know about it, Coeur d’Alene offers a plethora of water sports, expansive hiking trails, millions of pine trees, beautiful mountain ranges, and brilliant lakes.

Coeur d’Alene is my favorite place in Idaho and one of my favorite places in the United States. And, if you are ever fortunate enough to visit this place, follow this Coeur d’Alene Adventure Guide to maximize your experience.

Recommended Duration of Visit

3 days (ideal), 2 days (doable), 1 day (difficult)

Click for some interesting facts about Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’Alene is the name of a Native American tribe. It is of French origin.
The name Coeur d’Alene means “heart of an awl.” An awl is a small sharp tool for piercing holes. At the time, French fur traders and trappers used awls to puncture animal skins and furs.

Before You Go

Flights / Getting There: Coeur d’Alene is a short distance from Spokane, Washington where the nearest airport is. Flying into and driving from Boise to Coeur d’Alene is another good alternative.

Overview

Climate: Coeur d’Alene’s climate intuitively follows the normal pattern of North America. In general, this place features all seasons. Summers are warm and winters have plenty of snow.

Communication: English is the official language in Coeur d’Alene.

Navigation: The city is very easy to navigate with a car, and there is plenty of parking.

Lodging: Staying in Coeur d’Alene is highly recommend, especially near the water. However, since the lodging is more expensive within the city itself, staying in Spokane and driving to Coeur d’Alene is more cost-effective.

Activities Planning: Having a car is strongly recommended in order to easily access some of Coeur d’Alene’s best attractions. This region’s best qualities revolve around hiking and aquatic activities, so summer attire is ideal during the warmer seasons. Other than that, most attractions are free to visit.

Special Considerations

Despite being a wonderful destination on its own, Coeur d’Alene is unfamiliar to many. Therefore, it should ideally be part of a more comprehensive itinerary. For instance, it’s near the wonderful Glacier National Park—a beautiful and popular national park in nearby Montana.

General: The entire region is surrounded by nature for miles, so one can find excellent views while driving in any direction.

Peak Seasons: Summer is the peak season.

Currency: United States Dollars (USD). Currency Converter.

Things to Do: Attractions and Activities

In Coeur d’Alene, entire days can be spent near (or on) the water and hiking trails. It is primarily a nature destination, so the duration of the visit can vary greatly. Since many attractions are outside, make sure to monitor the weather and plan accordingly.

Additionally, the parks in the Coeur d’Alene region are incredibly unique and are certainly worth the visit.

Lake Coeur d’Alene: At 25 miles (40 kilometers), this dam-controlled lake defines the Couer d’Alene region with its lively beaches and scenic views.

And, due to its size, many picturesque views and some of the best activities (fishing, kayaking, and waterskiing, among others) incorporate it in one way or another.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Tubbs Hill: This beautiful lakeside park is one of the main attractions in Coeur d’Alene, and a stroll along its expansive hiking trails provides stunning scenery at various elevations and vantage points.

Naturally, visitors have the option to remain dry and explore the terrain or to enjoy the cool waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene nearby. Lovers Island lies at the lowest point of Tubbs Hill (near Tubbs Beach).

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 6 hours (depending on activity).

Much of Lake Coeur d’Alene’s festivities are nearby. There is a hotel, a spa, numerous restaurants, and equipment rentals for all your aquatic needs.

Tubbs Hill is absolutely massive, and there are numerous great spots for picnics. If you intend on hiking the region for an extended period of time, I recommend bringing food and drinks.

Falls Park: Falls Park offers a surprising amount of fun in the form of a fishing pond, a picnic area, a playground, picnic tables, short hiking trails, and a gorgeous view of the dam and Spokane River. The main attraction, of course, is the dam and river. Unlike most of Coeur d’Alene, this park is a lovely, small, and quiet getaway.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

Treaty Rock Park: This forested park represents the coming together of two cultures. The rock carving includes the name of Post Falls founder, Frederick Post, and the date June 1, 1871. Post is credited with developing an economic center around the region.

The ancient granite rock “preserves the coexistence of early life and pioneer life for future generations to appreciate.” It honors cultural differences through respect, friendship, and mutual needs. It symbolizes that, despite how much the land has changed, good relationships remain.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 – 30 minutes.

Falls Park is a short drive West of Coeur d’Alene. If you are driving from Spokane, then it would be ideal to visit this park on the way.

This park is a short distance from Falls Park. The actual Treaty Rock is toward the back of the paved trail.

McEuen Park and Dog Park: Dedicated in 2014, McEuen Park has something for everyone (even dogs). This lakeside park features a massive dog park, the city’s largest playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, a covered pavilion for events, a grand plaza, a veteran’s memorial, a splash pad, and public art pieces. It is also located conveniently right next to Tubbs Hill and Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

Coeur d’Alene City Park & Beach: As the most popular gathering place in Coeur d’Alene (since it existed well before the inauguration of McEuen Park), this city park features a playground, picnic areas, grills, walking trails, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts. Unlike McEuen Park, the Coeur d’Alene City Park features a fun beach. During the summers, concerts are often held here as well.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

McEuen Park Parking, located near the park, is spacious and inexpensive ($1 per hour when I visited in 2020). The parking lot also has underground spots if you want to park in the shade.

The nearby parking is relatively inexpensive ($1 per hour when I visited in 2020). There is also a carousel near the parking lot. The Museum of North Idaho is also nearby.

Fernan Lake: Fernan Lake is a smaller and quieter alternative to Lake Coeur d’Alene. A peaceful drive along Fernan Road offers splendid scenery rivaling that of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Fernan lake is also a prime fishing, boating, and kayaking destination.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 –60 minutes.

Fernan Lake Natural Area: This region is essentially the massive forest beneath Fernan Lake. It contains numerous hiking trails that extend for miles. As time passes, more and more trails are constructed for visitors’ enjoyment.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 minutes – 2 hours (depending on various hiking routes).

Fernan Road doesn’t just snake along Fernan Lake; it also leads deep into the heart of nature to the east of Coeur d'Alene.

Google Maps will take visitors to a very specific and lovely viewpoint of the Fernan Lake Natural Area.

Mineral Ridge: Mineral Ridge—arguably the best hiking trail in Coeur d’Alene—provides the best view of the Coeur d’Alene landscape. This 3.3-mile trail provides natural and historic features of the area alongside breathtaking views.

The trail resembles a lasso, forming a fork in the road—one path is toward the main viewing points, and the other path is for the roundtrip back. Conveniently, there are multiple viewing points and chairs scattered throughout the hike.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Fort Sherman Chapel: Built in 1880, Fort Sherman Chapel is Coeur d’Alene’s oldest standing building. Featuring exquisite craftsmanship and history, it is the region’s oldest church, library, school, and meeting hall. As a standalone attraction, the chapel is rather modest, but its rich history is undeniable.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 5 – 10 minutes.

Arrive as early in the morning as possible because this area has free but very limited parking.

The Chapel is a short walk from the Coeur d’Alene City Park and Sunspot at Yap-Keehn-Um Beach.