Planning a Trip from Spokane to Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’ Alene is still somewhat under-the-radar in terms of a top place to visit in the U.S., but that seems to be changing pretty rapidly. Located in the northern Idaho panhandle, the area has become appealing for celebrities and adventure-seekers alike. Coeur d’Alene is part of the Spokane metropolitan area, making Spokane a great place to fly into as you begin your trip.

Then, if you’re up for it, you can rent an RV in Spokane and continue on just about forty minutes east to Coeur d’Alene.

If you are renting an RV and you use a resource like Outdoorsy, you’ll see there are plenty of options available. There are currently around 127 RV rentals available in the Spokane area, ranging in size, style, and amenities.

So, beyond potentially renting an RV which makes for a great way to see the area, what else should you know about planning a trip to this Idaho gem?

The Lake

Life in Coeur d’Alene centers around the lake. There are more than one hundred miles of shoreline, and there are a lot of activities in the area that are based on lake life. Many people will take dinner cruises in the evening, but during the day you can go for sightseeing boat tours. You can also rent your own bareboat and take it out for the day.

Of course, with that lake life comes the opportunity for watersports.

If you are planning a boat tour, you can visit the Coeur d’Alene Resort Boardwalk Marina, where Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises operates.

Shopping

While much of the activities you’ll find in Coeur d’Alene are centered around the outdoors, there are also opportunities for shopping and dining. There is a downtown area which is along Sherman Avenue, between the Coeur d’Alene Resort and 5th street. You’ll find independent shops, galleries, and eateries in this area.

Scenic Byway

If you go to the eastern side of the lake, you can follow Idaho Highway 97, which is great if you’re renting an RV. This is dubbed the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway, and you can see some amazing natural beauty.

There are stops along the way where you can stop, get out and take it all in and also take some photos if you’d like.

Silverwood Theme Park

If you’re traveling with kids, or you feel like you’re a kid at heart, you can visit Silverwood Theme Park. It’s one of the only theme parks in the Pacific Northwest. It’s also the largest theme and water park in the region, and there are more than 79 rides and attractions. Some of the favorite thrill rides in the park include the Aftershock inverted roller coaster, the Krazy Koaster for kids, and Tremors, which is a wooden roller coaster.

Finally, biking is something else you might want to make time for. The North Idaho Centennial Trail spans 24 miles starting at the border of Washington and Idaho. From there it goes through Coeur d’Alene, and then ends six miles outside of town. It’s flat and paved, so it’s good even if you’re not a professional cyclist. There’s also the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, which is a 71-mile paved trail.