Tag: Idaho State Parks Challenge

Round Lake State Park: geocaching, picnicking and hiking

Round Lake State Park: geocaching, picnicking and hiking

Round Lake State Park is small but mighty. It is a hidden gem in the Idaho panhandle and a great stop if you are exploring this area. We found it an excellent location to try out geocaching for the first time (without an experienced cacher). 

Mary McCroskey State Park: big on views and short on crowds

Mary McCroskey State Park: big on views and short on crowds

If you have got good clearance on your car, the views in Mary McCroskey State Park are well worth a visit. State Park Overview Each state park is unique. But some are more unique than others. Mary McCroskey State Park is one of the more 

Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park: a spectacular trail through Northern Idaho

Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park: a spectacular trail through Northern Idaho

Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park provides 73 miles of scenic views and a smooth ride. It is touted as one of the most spectacular trails in the western United States and I have to say, I agree.

Trail along Lake Coeur d’Alene
A trail with a view to spare.

State Park Overview

Rating: 5 out of 5.

For the most part, Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park is an old rail line converted into a bike path. Because it is an old rail line, it has a gentle grade making it a 73-mile smooth, paved trail through the Idaho wilderness. What could be better than that?

The view from Chatcolet Bridge on Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park.

Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park is one of three trails in the Idaho State Parks system. At 73 miles, it is certainly the longest. There are three main sections:

  • The east section of the trail is located in a mountain valley that is rich in mining history.
  • The middle section follows the Coeur d’Alene River and passes around fifteen small lakes and marshes.
  • The west section follows the shoreline of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

No matter which section of the trail you decide to explore, the views will be stunning. There are twenty trailheads and various access points as well as towns all along the trail. But mostly, you will find scenic views and Idaho wildlife. This trail is a wonderful way to explore a unique part of Idaho.

Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park sign
Not the best state sign, but it will work.

Pros:

  • Gorgeous scenery
  • Easy, smooth trail
  • Lots of access points
  • Wildlife viewing opportunities

Cons:

  • Limited bike rental options
  • Cold in the winter
  • Busy on certain sections

What To Do

  • Ride a bike. If you are feeling super ambitious, you could be one of those people that bikes the whole thing.
  • Take a walk. But be sure to watch out for the bikers. 
  • Nordic ski and snowshoe in the winter.
View from Chatcolet Bridge
Views for days.

Amenities

This is a trail so amenities will be limited and spread out. There are picnic tables and restrooms along the route, but there may not be one when you need it. For all of the specifics as well as maps, check out the parks and rec’s website for Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park.

Crowd situation

Rating: 3 out of 5.

The crowd situation will depend on what part of the trail you are on and what time of year you visit. There will naturally be more open spaces the further you get from access points and major towns. We started at one of the main towns on Labor Day Weekend. We also rode a popular section of the trail. Naturally, we saw a lot of people. However, we were still able to ride comfortably at our own pace. Avoid popular areas on popular weekends and you will avoid the crowds altogether.

View of Harrison, Idaho from Lake Coeur d’Alene
Harrison, Idaho. Adorable.

Unique to Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park

The range of birds you can see from the trail is quite impressive. From the Idaho Department of Parks and Rec: “The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes passes through a diverse landscape with numerous habitats making it one of the best birding locales in North Idaho….According to the Coeur d’Alene Audubon, the Trail bisects all the major low-elevation habitat types found in North Idaho. This habitat profile yields a potential list of 189 species, plus an additional 48 very rare species.” Don’t forget your binoculars!

A little history about Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park

The trail is mostly an old rail line that was built to support mining (primarily silver), timber and other supply industries. The history of building rail lines is rarely pretty. When the rail line that makes up the majority of this trail was built in 1884, waste rock and tailings containing heavy metals were used and there were accidental spills of contaminated ore. All of this made for an environmentally-unfriendly, manmade structure.

One thing I find exciting about the trail is that the Union Pacific Railroad, the U.S. Government, the State of Idaho and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe partnered together to clean it up. So it is not just a beautiful trail, it is an environmental cleanup effort as well. Win-win!

Chatcolet Bridge on Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
Chatcolet Bridge.

Explore nearby

Where you are at on the trail depends on how close you are to the locations listed below–the trail is 73 miles long after all.

  • Old Mission State Park is minutes away from the trail.
  • Harrison, Idaho, is a cute, lakeside town worth stopping at. There is good food, a few shops and lovely views.
  • The trail runs right through Heyburn State Park. If you are exploring this part of the trail, you should explore the park as well.
  • Wallace, Idaho, is an interesting place on the trail. Visit the Oasis Bordello Museum if you can.
  • Silver Mountain Resort near Kellogg, Idaho, is good for skiing in the winter and gondola rides in the summer.
  • Biking the Route of the Hiawatha Trail should be on your Idaho bucket list. It’s 12 minutes away from Mullen, Idaho, the eastern most point on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.
  • Coeur d’Alene (or CDA if you think you are going to slaughter the pronunciation) is a wonderful place to explore and is just 30 minutes away from the nearest trail access. Here are some ideas for killing time in Coeur d’Alene.
  • Coeur d’Alenes Parkway State Park, another trail managed by the Idaho State Park system, can be accessed just 30 minutes to the west near Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho.
Ice cream in Harrison, Idaho.
Yum!

Our experience at Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park

Biking Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes

We stayed in an Airbnb in Harrison, Idaho. We were delighted to learn that Harrison is home to a bike shop that rents since we did not bring our own bikes on this road trip. Since we did not make any reservations because we were not sure when we wanted to hit the trail, we ended up in the bike shop at an inconvenient time. Basically, every working, normal bike they had available was out for rent. We had two options: wait a couple of hours for some rentals to come back or rent a tandem bike. Now, R and I are close. But a tandem bike experience has never been on our bucket list. The idea of waiting around for a couple of hours turned out to be the greater of two evils…so we rented ourselves a tandem bike and headed down the trail.

Chatcolet Bridge
Great views on and of Chatcolet Bridge.

Two things about a bicycle built for two

The first thing we noticed on our bicycle built for two were all the grins, smirks and smiles. People cannot help but give you one when they see you on a tandem bike. I probably do it too, but I never realized. There is nothing inconspicuous about tandem bikes and while everyone is out there enjoying the scenery, they got an extra kick out of us. It was so weird.

The second thing we noticed is that it didn’t take us any longer to get to our destination (the historic and very cool Chatcolet Bridge) and back. We made excellent time! I don’t know that we will be renting a tandem bike again anytime soon, but it made for a very interesting experience.

Tandem biking on Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park
A bicycle built for two.

If you want to have a similar experience (with or without the tandem bike–no judging), the bike shop we rented from was called The Cycle Haus. There are other places to rent bicycles as well, but you will not be flush with options. It really just depends on where you plan to hit the trail.

Conclusion

The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park is a wonderful trail and a fantastic way to see northern Idaho. We are very lucky to have it as part of our state parks system. 

Tandem biking at Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park.

Note: we visited the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park as part of our Idaho State Parks Challenge. The challenge consists of visiting all of Idaho’s state parks in one year. We made up this challenge to see a bit more of our beautiful state and help alleviate the restlessness caused by Covid-19 travel restrictions. Feel free to join the challenge!

Related posts you might like:

Or if you want to see all of our posts, visit Past Posts.

Lake Cascade State Park: camping, boating, and fishing

Lake Cascade State Park: camping, boating, and fishing

Lake Cascade State Park is a large park located on a large lake. If you want to camp and/or get out on the water, this park is a good option for you. If you want to be able to find things easily, this park is 

The best thing about Winchester Lake State Park in Idaho: yurt + canoe

The best thing about Winchester Lake State Park in Idaho: yurt + canoe

Winchester Lake State Park is a hidden gem in the middle of Idaho. Peaceful, beautiful, and the perfect place to stay for a night. State Park Overview Winchester Lake State Park is not large. But what it lacks in size it makes up for in 

Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park: a good place to enjoy the lake and avoid the crowds

Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park: a good place to enjoy the lake and avoid the crowds

If you visit Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in the summertime and are looking for a place away from the crowds, head to Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park. You will find a lakeside trail with lovely views and few people.

Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park sign in front of the lake at dusk
Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park sign.

State Park Overview

Rating: 2 out of 5.

About 15 minutes south of Coeur d’Alene (CDA) is a paved trail known as Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park. This trail is one of three trails in the Idaho State Parks system. At 5.7 miles, it is the shortest. However, it is part of the North Idaho Centennial Trail, which consists of 24 miles between Higgens Point and the Idaho-Washington border. This trail then joins the Liberty Lake Stateline Trail. So really, Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park is the beginning (or end) of a long, scenic trail through CDA and along the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene and parts of the Spokane River. This trail is also part of the Millennium Legacy trail system.

Wood trail sign for Coeur d’Alene Parkway and Centennial Trail.
Two trails in one.

Pros:

  • Close to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
  • Access to and views of Lake Coeur d’Alene
  • Great sunsets
  • Small crowd situation

Cons:

  • Located right alongside a busy highway (noisy)
  • Short for a bike trail
Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park.

What To Do

  • Ride a bike. It won’t take you long to see the whole trail, but you can always continue on the North Idaho Centennial trail for a longer ride.
  • Take a walk. Be sure to watch out for the bikers. 
  • Get fit using the exercise course.
  • Enjoy a picnic at one of the picnic tables nears Higgens Point.
  • Take in a sunset. Not much beats a sunset over the lake.
  • Get out on Lake Coeur d’Alene. There is a boat launch facility at Higgens Point.
  • Visit the half-mile beach and take a swim.
  • Look for bald eagles.
Lake Coeur d’Alene at sunset.
Pretty views of the lake.

Amenities

There is a fair amount of parking. However, it may fill up on busy summer days. They have restroom facilities and the usual picnic tables and such. For all of the specifics, check out the parks and rec’s website for Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park.

Crowd situation

Rating: 4 out of 5.

We visited the Parkway right at sunset. There were a couple of other people enjoying the beautiful sight, but we had plenty of room to maneuver. I am sure it gets busier during a warm summer day. But everything I have read says this is a good place to avoid the usual CDA crowds.

Empty Parkway State Park trail at dusk.
An empty trail at dusk.

Unique to Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park

This park is an excellent place to spot bald eagles. Note: this is a wintertime activity. From November to February, bald eagles descend on the area. Why? Well, Kokanee, a landlocked small sockeye salmon, come to the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene to spawn and die. The eagles come to feast. Apparently, it is not uncommon to count 200+ eagles. Wow.

A little history about Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park

We can thank Washington State for this little trail and state park. It was their state parks system that started planning a trail along the Spokane River. They wanted to create a trail to celebrate Washington state’s centennial in 1989. As neighbors sometimes do, they started coordinating with Idaho to extend the trail in celebration of Idaho’s centennial in 1990. 

Sunset over Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Explore nearby

  • CDA is a wonderful place to explore and is just 15 minutes away from the park. Here are some ideas for killing time in Coeur d’Alene.
  • Heyburn State Park is located less than an hour away, also on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
  • Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes State Park, another trail managed by the Idaho State Park system, can be accessed just 30 minutes to the east.
  • Biking the Route of the Hiawatha Trail should be on your Idaho bucket list. It’s about one hour away and an activity we highly recommend.
  • The rest of the North Idaho Centennial Trail.
  • Farragut State Park is 45 minutes away. It is on Lake Pend Oreille, which is also worth checking out.
  • Old Mission State Park is 30 minutes away.
  • 40 minutes away is Spokane, Washington, which has a decent size airport.

Our experience at Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park

A picnic and a sunset at Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park

Before heading to the park, we swung by Pilgrim’s Market in CDA to pick up some food. That ended up being a really good choice and we arrived at the park just as the sun was beginning to set. There were plenty of parking spaces so we grabbed one and made our way to one of the empty picnic tables. We then enjoyed our food while watching the sun set on Lake Coeur d’Alene. It really was lovely and very peaceful.

Picnic at dusk over Lake Coeur d’Alene
Picnic with a view.

Strolling the Parkway

After dinner, we took a stroll on the Parkway. We walked a mile or so before it started to get dark and we decided to turn around. It was fun to see the houses along the water as well as the private docks. It was not so fun hearing the traffic. The trail runs alongside a busy road and it made for a less-than-peaceful experience. I’m not saying you shouldn’t take a stroll, but be prepared for your stroll to be a little noisy.

To be honest, we were a little let down by this park. It didn’t feel like it had as much to offer as some of the other parks and trails. Plus, the noise from the traffic was not enjoyable. However, that being said, we did not experience everything this park has to offer. Perhaps we will give it another shot the next time we are in town.

Conclusion

Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park is an interesting addition to the Idaho State Parks system. As a trail, it pales in comparison to its neighbors. However, its connection to the North Idaho Centennial Trail makes it worthy of a ride. It is not a big park, but it does provide access to Lake Coeur d’Alene and is a good place to get away from CDA’s summertime crowds.

Sunset Lake Coeur d’Alene
Great views from Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park.

Note: we visited Coeur d’Alene Parkway State Park as part of our Idaho State Parks Challenge. The challenge consists of visiting all of Idaho’s state parks in one year. We made up this challenge to see a bit more of our beautiful state and help alleviate the restlessness caused by Covid-19 travel restrictions. Feel free to join the challenge!

Related posts you might like:

Or if you want to see all of our posts, visit Past Posts.

Three Island Crossing State Park: history, Oregon Trail, views

Three Island Crossing State Park: history, Oregon Trail, views

Three defining characteristics of southern Idaho are sagebrush, the Snake River and the Oregon Trail. These things combine near Glenns Ferry, Idaho, at Three Island Crossing State Park. Imagine you were a pioneer headed to Oregon. You’ve made it past the Great Plains and the 

Lake Walcott State Park: fishing, frisbee golf, picnicking

Lake Walcott State Park: fishing, frisbee golf, picnicking

I’ve talked to several people about Lake Walcott State Park and the response was the same. “I’ve seen the sign on the freeway, but have never been there.” Now that we have ventured off the freeway to visit, I would summarize it as a nice 

Harriman State Park of Idaho: ranching history and horseback riding

Harriman State Park of Idaho: ranching history and horseback riding

If you enjoy ranching history, beautiful views and/or recreational activities, Harriman State Park in Idaho will not disappoint.

Beautiful views of Harriman State Park of Idaho
The views alone are worth the trip.

State Park Overview

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Harriman State Park can be credited with helping to launch Idaho’s official state park system. There is a lot of history at this park. In fact, it is on the list of National Historic Places. Of course, if you just want to enjoy the great outdoors, this park will deliver. Anytime of the year, you can find plenty of activities to keep you busy. If you visit during the warmer months, you can ride horses through the park (which makes it an instant hit with me).

A gorgeous horseback ride through Harriman State Park.

Note: there is no camping in this state park. However, you can stay overnight in some of the historic buildings.

Pros:

  • Ranching history
  • Horseback riding
  • Lots to do in the winter
  • Beautiful scenery

Cons:

  • Bear country
  • No camping
Moose at Harriman State Park
Keep an eye out for moose!

What To Do

  • Horseback riding: there is an outfitter located right in the park which makes horsebacking riding easy and convenient. It is also a fun and unique way to explore the park.
  • Hiking: there are some great little trails around the park. The scenery is beautiful.
  • Fishing: we saw fly fisherpeople all around the park. The setting looked ideal.
  • Winter recreation: there are 24 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, skate skiing, snowshoeing and fat-tire biking.
  • Historic tour: you can enjoy a Railroad Ranch tour, which gives you the opportunity to poke around in some of the historic buildings.
Horseback riding at Harriman State Park of Idaho
Harriman State Park is best viewed from the back of a horse.

Amenities

The park has restrooms (including flush toilets at the visitors center), picnic tables and meeting spaces. For all of the specifics, check out the parks and rec’s website for Harriman State Park

Crowd situation

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This park was not empty, but you will not feel overrun with people. We saw three people on our hike and our horseback riding crew was eight total (with two guides).

Unique to Harriman State Park

Horsebacking riding in the park. Although many other Idaho state parks allow horseback riding, Harriman has a very nice outfitter located right in the park. Dry Ridge Outfitters has been a family-run establishment for over 70 years. Rides start at $35, making horseback riding in Harrisman an affordable and fun activity. Visit www.dryridgeharriman.com for more information.

Two girls, two horses at Dry Ridge Outfitters in Idaho.
Just a couple of gals and their horses.

A little history about Harriman State Park

Harriman State Park used to be a cattle ranch. In fact, it was a cattle ranch until the day it was donated to the state of Idaho. Railroad Ranch became Harriman State Park of Idaho on April 1, 1977. (Not to be confused with Harriman State Park of New York.) This donation helped to create Idaho’s official park system, and we can thank the Harriman family for that.

Edward Henry (E.H.) Harriman ran the Union Pacific Railroad. He had a deep appreciation for nature and he was an outdoorsman. That is why he purchased land that would become the Railroad Ranch. Harriman made the purchase in 1908. Unfortunately, he died before ever seeing the property. Luckily, E.H.’s son, Roland, and wife, Gladys, fell in love with the ranch and visited it year after year. You can visit the log structure Roland stayed in as a boy. It is called the Boy’s House and it has been remodeled to provide meeting space.

The Railroad Ranch raised more than cattle. For a time, Rocky Mountain elk were raised and shipped to the east. They also attempted to raise bison, but it was difficult to keep them fenced in. The ranch also served as a private retreat for friends and acquaintances of the Harriman family. Frequent guests of the Railroad Ranch included Baroness Hilla von Rebay, Solomon R. Guggenheim, Marriner S. Eccles, Charles Jones, Elliot Richardson and John Muir.

Old ranching buildings at Harriman State Park in Idaho.
Ranching history abounds at Harriman State Park of Idaho.

Explore nearby

  • Henrys Lake State Park is located 30 minutes to the north, if you are looking for a campground or yet another place to fish.
  • Mesa Falls is about 20 minutes away. Lower Mesa Falls is a lookout area with signage and restrooms. At Upper Mesa Falls, you can get right up next to the falls. The views are gorgeous! Note: this will be a busier area and you may have to fight the crowds a bit for a good photo op.
  • The Ashton-to-Tetonia Trail starts in Ashton, Idaho, which is about 20 minutes south of Harriman State Park. This trail is awesome and is one of our favorites in the whole Idaho State Parks system.
  • The west entrance to Yellowstone National Park is about 45 minutes away.
  • West Yellowstone, Montana, is about 45 minutes away and it is a great town for food, lodging and even a bit of shopping.
  • Island Park, Idaho, is also a good place for lodging and food, but this town is very spread out. However, any outdoor activity you could ever want to do in the mountains is probably possible in Island Park.
  • The Spencer Opal Mines in Spencer, Idaho, is about 1.5 hours away. You can actually mine for opals there! (Assuming no Covid-19 restrictions.) The road is dirt for about 15 miles, but it is a nice dirt road. And the pretty opals are worth the drive. 

Our experience(s) at Harriman State Park

Riding horses at Harriman

We called Dry Ridge Outfitters a couple of days before our trip to Harriman State Park. Luckily, they had availability on the day we wanted to ride and we enjoyed a one-hour ride through the park. They are closed on Sundays, so you might need to be flexible. It was an easy ride with well-behaved horses (for the most part). If you do not have a lot of riding experience, no worries. You will be just fine.

I love exploring places on horseback. You can breathe in the fresh air and take in all the sights without watching your feet to make sure you don’t trip. I also just love horses. This particular tour is very affordable and the hands are friendly. It will be a unique experience and way to explore Harriman State Park, so I highly recommend it.

Lake reflection at Harriman.
Harriman State Park of Idaho is gorgeous!

Hiking around Harriman State Park

We took a short hike before we headed out on horseback. It was an easy loop, more like a nature walk. But it was beautiful! There are longer hiking options if you have time. Either way, I recommend getting out and exploring a bit of Harriman on foot.

Conclusion

Harriman State Park is a beautiful park rich in history and things to do. It is located near other great places to explore (e.g. Yellowstone), but the crowds will be significantly smaller. This park is open year-round, so do not hesitate to stop and explore it.

Harriman State Park of Idaho welcome sign.

Note: we visited Harriman State Park as part of our Idaho State Parks Challenge. The challenge consists of visiting all of Idaho’s state parks in one year. We made up this challenge to see a bit more of our beautiful state and help alleviate the restlessness caused by Covid-19 travel restrictions. Feel free to join the challenge!

Related posts you might like:

Or if you want to see all of our posts, visit Past Posts.

City of Rocks National Reserve: rocking climbing and rock formations

City of Rocks National Reserve: rocking climbing and rock formations

If you love rock climbing, you are probably already very familiar with City of Rocks National Reserve. If you are not a rock climber, City of Rocks still has a lot to offer for those who love to explore and hike. State Park Overview City