Outdoor Recreation Activities in Coeur d'Alene

North Idaho has Lakes, Rivers and Mountains for Family Vacations

Jul 27, 2009 Kathleen Curry

Vacations to Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding area of North Idaho allow visitors the chance to fish, raft, kayak, mountain bike, parasail and do many other activities.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, located in the northern panhandle of the state, just a short drive from Spokane, is an area where travelers can find a wide variety of activities to fulfill any interest that might arise during a family vacation. Visitors can enjoy shopping in the downtown area, or hit the theme park, family fun center or water parks. However, no trip to the area is complete without enjoying the many outdoor recreation options that are available.

Water Recreation On Lake Coeur d’Alene

Those who want to enjoy Lake Coeur d’Alene don’t have to venture far to find outfitters who can provide them with equipment and guides. Right on the pier near the Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort is Coeur d’Alene Parasail & Watersports. Every day but Saturday, visitors can sit and fly above the lake on a parasail, weather permitting. The same booth on the pier is also a place where paddle boats, kayaks, aqua-cycles and canoes can be rented.

Just across the street from the Lake is ROW Adventures, where one can find guides and equipment for any number of adventures. Those who want to stay in Coeur d’Alene can kayak on the Lake. ROW also provides river rafting trips on the Lochsa, Moyie, Spokane, Clark Fork and St. Joe rivers. The area around Coeur d’Alene also has a number of bike trials, and half and full day trips can also be booked through ROW.

North Idaho Mountain Activities

While North Idaho has unequaled recreation opportunities on its lakes and rivers, the mountains are beautiful and hard to resist. A great place to set up for alpine activities is Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, Idaho, an old mining town just about half-an-hour south of Coeur d’Alene. During the winter, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the 25-feet of annual snowfall. In the summer, mountain bikers can take the gondola to the top of the slopes and ride down on trails ranging from beginner to thrill-seeker. All of the equipment needed for such an adventure can be rented at the resort. Besides mountain biking, hiking, road biking and horseback riding can also be pursued.

If not everyone wants to be outdoors at the resort, some can go take a short walk from the room to the great indoors of the Silver Rapids Water Park, one of three water parks in the North Idaho area. Instead of skiing, try surfing on the “Flowrider,” which simulates the feel of boogie-boarding or surfing on a wave.

For a fun local meal out while in Kellogg, head over to Sam’s, just off the freeway, for home cooking such as a Frisbee-sized chicken-fried steak followed by either pie or cake that tastes like it just came out of the oven. Some days they have cake, some days they have the pie. People have to come in and find out which one they felt like making for the day.

Coeur d’Alene Parasail & Watersports

P.O. Box 3011

Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816

208-765-2999

ROW Adventures

202 Sherman Ave.

Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

800-451-6034

Silver Mountain Resort

610 Bunker Avenue

Kellogg, Idaho 83837

866.344.2675

Sam’s Restaurant

W. 711 Cameron Avenue

Kellogg, Idaho

208-783-0520

The outdoor recreation activities available throughout North Idaho can add fun and adventure to any family vacation.

The copyright of the article Outdoor Recreation Activities in Coeur d'Alene in NW U.S./Alaska Travel is owned by Kathleen Curry. Permission to republish Outdoor Recreation Activities in Coeur d'Alene in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.