Best Things to do When Visiting Couer D'Alene, Idaho
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts. With its stunning natural beauty, countless hiking and biking trails, and exciting water activities, it's no wonder that this city attracts visitors from all over the world. If you're planning a trip to CDA, here are some of the best things to do that will make your visit unforgettable.
Hike Tubbs Hill
Tubbs Hill is a local favorite for hiking and exploring. Located in the heart of downtown Coeur d'Alene (CDA), this 120-acre park offers spectacular views of Lake Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding mountains. The Tubbs Hill trail is an easy two mile loop that the whole family can enjoy. There are several trails to choose from, ranging from easy to moderate, and all of them offer stunning views of the lake and city. The best time to hike Tubbs Hill is from May to October. This is a dog friendly trail and offers some off leash areas as well.
- Recommended by Molly Havrilak, Adventure Consultant, ROW Adventures
Explore McEuen Park
McEuen Park is another beautiful park in CDA that offers a variety of activities. The park features a splash pad, large playground, an off leash dog park, and a walking trail that offers stunning views of the lake. You can also find tennis / pickleball and basketball courts here. There's also a pavilion that can be reserved for events, making it a great spot for a family reunion or birthday party. McEuen Park is right downtown and hard to miss.
- Recommended by Peter Grubb, Owner and Founder, ROW Adventures
Play Disc Golf at Corbin Park
Corbin Park is a beautiful park in the Idaho panhandle, just a stone's throw from Coeur D’Alene in Post Falls, that offers a variety of activities, including disc golf. This 18-hole course is suitable for all skill levels and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and Spokane River. You can find a map of the disc golf course here. The park also has picnic areas, playgrounds, and walking trails, making it a great spot for a family outing.
- Recommended by Katie Jimenes, Operations Administrator, ROW Adventures
Try Fly fishing on the CDA River or St Joe River
CDA is home to two rivers, the CDA river and the St. Joe River, which offer some of the best fly fishing in the Pacific Northwest. The CDA river is known for its cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and bull trout. The St. Joe River is famous for its cutthroat and rainbow trout. Both rivers are easily accessible, and are best explored with a guide to learn the basics. The best time for fly fishing is in the spring and fall when the water is cooler, but you can still expect to catch fish in the summer months. You can book a 1 day fly fishing excursion with ROW Adventures.
- Recommended by Peter Grubb, Owner and Founder, ROW Adventures
Cruise Around Lake Coeur D Alene in a Kayak or SUP
Lake Coeur d'Alene is a stunning body of water that stretches over 25 miles. Renting a kayak from the Coeur d'Alene Resort is an excellent way to explore the lake and take in the beautiful scenery. The resort offers a range of kayaks, from single-person to tandem kayaks. Visitors can also rent stand-up paddleboards and pontoons from the resort. There are several beaches around the lake, and visitors can stop and take a dip or have a picnic on the beach.
- Recommended by Emily Wray, Guest Service Administrator
Hike Mineral Ridge
If you're up for a challenging hike with rewarding views, Mineral Ridge is the perfect spot. This 3.3-mile trail offers incredible views of Lake Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding mountains. The best time to hike this trail is usually April through November. You should budget an hour and a half to two hours to complete this loop trail. The trail is steep in some sections, with about 700 feet in elevation gain, but the views at the top are worth the effort.
- Recommended by Michelle Darnell, Marketing Director, ROW Adventure
Raft the St. Joe or Clark Fork River
For adventure seekers, rafting the St. Joe River is a must-do activity in CDA. The St. Joe River takes you through the dense and lucious forests of Idaho atop crystal clear waters. The rapids this river offers are great for beginners but still provide plenty of excitement for a more seasoned whitewater rafter. Another great option for water activities is rafting the Clark Fork River about two hours east of CDA. This river is known for its scenic beauty and thrilling rapids, making it a popular spot for rafting and kayaking. You can expect plenty of splashy landings and roller coaster rapids on the Clark Fork. We offer day trips on both rivers. Give us a call at (208) 770-2517 to book and learn more!
- Recommended by Peter Grubb, Owner and Founder, ROW Adventures
Check Out the Mudgy and Millie Walk Downtown
This is a much worthwhile activity if you are visiting CDA with your family. The Mudgy and Millie Walk is a unique scavenger hunt that takes you through the city's downtown area. The walk is based on the children's book "Mudgy Moose" and "Millie Mouse" and features bronze sculptures of the two characters throughout the downtown area. You can pick up a free map at the Coeur d'Alene Visitor Center and start your adventure. The walk is perfect for families with kids or anyone who wants to explore the downtown area.
- Recommended by Michelle Darnell, Marketing Director, ROW Adventure
Golf at Coeur D’Alene Resort
CDA is home to some of the best golf courses in the Pacific Northwest. The most popular among them is the Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course, which has been ranked as one of the top golf courses in the world by Golf Digest. This stunning course sits on the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene and offers a challenging and memorable golfing experience for golfers of all levels. The resort offers golf packages and provides golf carts for a fee. Other notable golf courses include the Highlands Golf Course and the Ponderosa Springs Golf Course, both nearby.
- Katie Jimenes, Operations Administrator, ROW Adventures
Have a Picnic and Swim at Higgins Point
Higgins Point is another must-see spot in CDA. Located on the east side of Lake Coeur d'Alene, this beautiful park is the perfect place to have a picnic and take in the breathtaking views. There are picnic tables, grills, and plenty of open space to enjoy a meal with family or friends. Because Higgins Point hugs the east side of the lake, the boat traffic is light, making this a perfect spot for a swim that's wake free.
- Recommended by Katie Jimenes, Operations Administrator, ROW Adventures
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho is a hidden gem for adventure lovers. With so much to do, the whole family can enjoy a visit to Coeur D'Alene. If you are in the area and looking for places to eat while exploring the city and surrounding environment, check out some nearby restaurants recommended by ROW Adventures staff. If you're planning a trip to CDA we hope you have wonderful visit full of activity and time outside.
*Recommendations by ROW Adventures staff, blog written with support of Chat GPT, AI.
