Coeur d’ Alene Field Office
Beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene offers outstanding fishing, hiking, boating and nature viewing. Three boat launch sites are available at Blackwell Island, Mineral Ridge and Killarney Lake. Overnight boating guests will enjoy three boat-in campgrounds at Popcorn Island, Mica Bay and Windy Bay Boater Parks.
U.S. Department Of The Interior Bureau Of Land Management
Cougar Bay Preserve
Cougar Bay Preserve (The Nature Conservancy) is an open air museum. 88 acres of wildlife. Near downtown Coeur d’Alene. 34 rare animal species (incl. 27 species of birds). Open 24 hours. 15 miles away. Visit site
Silverwood Theme Park
We are located 29 miles from Silverwood Theme Park, which is a 30-45 minute drive depending on summer traffic. An easy drive through Coeur d’Alene and you will arrive in no time. Visit site
Coeur d’Alene Wolf Lodge Bay
Beautiful Coeur d’Alene Wolf Lodge Bay is a North Region Idaho Birding Trail where bold eagles are a regular sight, kokanee salmon spawn, and people of all ages delight in the awesome splendor of it all. Visit site
9 Lake Coeur d’Alene
Named by the French fur traders, Lake Coeur d’Alene is 32 miles in length, contains 40 bays, and has an area of 50 square miles. More than 10,000 years ago glaciers pushed through the Purcell Trench scouring the St. Joe River Valley. As the glaciers retreated they left behind moraines of glacier debris, or a natural damn. Eventually, the St. Joe River flooded the valley creating one of Idaho’s scenic lakes. Visit site
8 Historic Harrison
Early Pioneers settled in the area establishing the town of Harrison in 1891 naming it after President Benjamin Harrison. During the early 1900’s, Harrison’s hallmark was the sternwheelers that provided the primary transportation route to Coeur d’Alene. The railroads soon followed making Harrison a thriving community supporting the region’s timber and mining industries. Today, Harrison is a popular destination for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. To learn more about Harrison’s history visit the Crane Historical Society Museum.
7 Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is a 73-mile long bike/hike trail. During 1883 gold was discovered on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. In 1885 silver was discovered near Kellogg and construction began in 1888 on a rail line to support the mining industry in Silver Valley. Today, Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes follows much of that original rail line making it one of America’s most scenic bike trails.
6 Springston
Springston began as a hardworking lumber town when the first sawmill opened in 1901 providing timber for the mining industry. The town grew with the arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad. The mill served the region’s lumber needs until it closed in 1963. Today, the former Springston town site is a trailhead for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.
5 Thompson Lake Wildlife Refuge
Thompson Lake Wildlife Refuge operated by Idaho Department of Fish and Game is a wetlands area that is home to the largest population of nesting osprey in the western states. A seven mile loop road encircles the refuge where a wildlife interpretive site includes a bird blind for a wildlife viewing and photography.
4 Beauty Bay Recreation Area
Beauty Bay Recreation Area is a premiere location for the “mountain top” photography of Lake Coeur d’Alene’s Beauty Bay and Blue Bay. The day use site offers picnicking, bird watching, and has a handicap accessible paved trail to an observation platform.
3 Mineral Ridge – Beauty Creek
Mineral Ridge features a 3.3-mile interpretive loop trail which is designated as a National Recreation Trail. The loop is known as a “classroom in the forest” where a self-guided trail takes visitors through the native animal and plant communities. The trail also offers spectacular views of Wolf Lodge Bay, and Lake Coeur d’Alene. Located 3/4 mile south of Mineral Ridge is Beauty Creek Recreation Area which offers picnicking, camping, and hiking trails. Visit site
2 Mineral Ridge Viewing Area
Mineral Ridge Viewing Area is located at Wolf Lodge Bay. The viewing area provides a panoramic view of Wolf Lodge Bay, one of the largest bays on Lake Coeur d’Alene. During November through February Wolf Lodge Bay is a wintering destination for bald eagles. Mineral Ridge Viewing Area has one of the many boat launches that provide public access to the lake. Visit site | Visit Boat Launch site
1 Mullan Tree
Mullan Tree Interpretive Site along I-90 is the location where Capt. John Mullan and his construction party camped on July 4, 1861. Between 1859 and 1862, Capt. Mullan led a construction party to build a 624-mile military freight wagon road from Fort Benton, along the Missouri River to Walla Walla, Washington. The road later became known as the Mullan Trail – the first civilian engineered road in the Pacific Northwest. Much of today’s I-90 follows the Mullan Trail.
