How Wide Is Idaho’s Lake Coeur d’Alene?

Spanning an impressive 129 sq. km, Lake Coeur d’Alene is the largest lake in Idaho. It is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Located in Kootenai County in the northern portion of the state, this pristine natural setting takes on a different look depending on the season. This lake has a maximum width of 4.8 km (3 miles) and a length of 40 km.

Let’s explore more about the ever-fascinating Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Time to Swim Across at Maximum Width

Considering an average swimmer’s speed of 2 mph, it would take approximately 1.5 hours to swim across Lake Coeur d’Alene at its maximum width. In 2022, Kim Bowler, a 39-year-old open-water marathon swimmer, swam the entire length of Lake Coeur d’Alene. She swam 24 miles in less than 17 hours. This incredible feat demonstrates the dedication and endurance required to swim across such a large body of water.

How Does Lake Coeur d’Alene Compare to Other Well-Known Lakes?

Wildlife Around Lake Coeur d’Alene

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests, which include the area around Lake Coeur d’Alene, are home to over 300 wildlife species. Some of the large animals found in the area are grizzly bears, bald eagles, and woodland caribou, while smaller ones include calliopes, hummingbirds, pygmy shrews, and salamanders. Other wildlife around the lake is elk, white-tailed deer, moose, coyote, beaver, muskrat, and river otters.

The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a favored birding spot in North Idaho, goes through a wide range of landscapes and habitats, such as wetlands, mixed conifer forests, urban streetscapes, agricultural fields, deep water, and cottonwood groves. The Coeur d’Alene Audubon Society states that the Trail crosses through every significant low-altitude habitat in North Idaho. This path offers sightings of a potential 48 extremely rare species and 189 other species.

Lake Coeur d’Alene is also home to various fish species, including cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. The lake’s abundant fish population attracts multiple bird species, such as ospreys and bald eagles, which can be seen diving for fish in the lake.

Attractions Nearby

Lake Coeur d’Alene and its surrounding areas offer various attractions and activities for visitors. Some of the top attractions include:

Seven Stars Alpaca Ranch LLC

Seven Stars Alpaca Ranch is a 40-acre ranch just minutes from downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The ranch is home to Suri and Huacaya alpacas, focusing on breeding for good conformation and luxurious fiber of the highest quality. Visitors can tour the ranch, interact with the alpacas, and turn their fiber into beautiful rugs and other products. The ranch also has miniature donkeys, horses, and baby goats for guests to enjoy. The drive up to the ranch offers spectacular views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding mountains.

Tubbs Hill Nature Trails

The Tubbs Hill Nature Trails presents a 2-mile trail circuit in the downtown area of Coeur d’Alene, delivering an essence of untamed nature amidst urban surroundings. The trail, enveloped on three sides by the breathtaking Lake Coeur d’Alene, spans more than 120 acres of natural landscape. Along the way, hikers will encounter historical markers and numerous spots perfect for capturing memorable photos. The western trailhead of Tubbs Hill, located at the southwestern edge of McEuen Park at 210 S. 3rd Street, serves as the perfect starting point for this urban wilderness adventure.

McEuen Park

McEuen Park spreads across 22.5 acres and offers many facilities for visitors. This public space is home to the city’s most extensive playground, tennis, and pickleball courts, a vibrant splash pad, a basketball court, a dedicated separator for dogs to roam freely, and the Avista Pavilion, which can accommodate events of up to 300 attendees.

Further features include the Rotary Harbor House, an establishment that combines a concession stand and restroom facilities by the waterfront, a sea wall vista point, a spacious plaza, a tribute to Veterans, and a vast 4-acre open green space for various events. The park also provides a boat launch and mooring amenities and is the starting point for the Tubbs Hill trail.

North Idaho Centennial Trail

The North Idaho Centennial Trail is a 23-mile long, non-motorized, multi-use trail that extends from the Idaho/Washington state line to Higgins Point, 6 miles east of Coeur d’Alene. The Trail suits walking, jogging, or bicycling on Class I & II paved surfaces. It connects with the Spokane River Centennial Trail at the state line, extending through Riverfront Park to Nine Mile Falls. The Trail offers beautiful scenery as it hugs the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene and parts of the Spokane River.

The Art Spirit Gallery

You can find The Art Spirit Gallery in downtown Coeur d’Alene. It features original artwork by more than 40 local and regional artists, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography, and woodworking. The gallery also hosts events throughout the year, such as artist receptions and hands-on workshops. Visitors can explore the popular ArtWalk from June to December on the first Friday of each month. During this period, galleries open their doors until 8 p.m., allowing guests to stroll through downtown’s unique art galleries and browse for gifts created by local artists.

Timberline Adventures Ziplines

The Timberline Adventures Ziplines is located at the base of Schweitzer Mountain, offering guests a thrilling ride over lush ravines and rugged hillsides. Visitors can zoom through five different zipline courses ranging from 1,200 to 2,800 feet long, with speeds reaching up to 50 mph. They’ll get spectacular Lake Pend Oreille and Sandpoint views along the way. The experience also includes an aerial bridge and rappel tower.

Museum of North Idaho

The Museum of North Idaho is a historical museum located in downtown Coeur d’Alene. It features artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of North Idaho’s past, from early Native American tribes to early settlers. The museum also houses an extensive library and archival collection with more than 20,000 books and documents relating to local history. Visitors can take guided museum tours and view special exhibitions throughout the year.

Couer d’Alene Resort Golf Course

The Couer d’Alene Resort Golf Course is one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world. This 18-hole championship course offers stunning views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the resort’s natural surroundings, designed by legendary course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. The course has been named one of the top five golf courses in America by Golf Digest Magazine, and it also hosts several PGA Tour events each year.

Silverwood Theme Park

Silverwood Theme Park is a popular theme park just 30 minutes from downtown Coeur d’Alene. It features more than 70 exciting rides and attractions, including six roller coasters, a water park, and a live entertainment venue. Silverwood also offers plenty of family-friendly activities such as mini golf, bumper boats, go-karts, and an arcade. Visitors can enjoy delicious food while taking in breathtaking Lake Coeur d’Alene views from the park’s observation tower.

Conclusion

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is a beautiful and historic city on Lake Coeur d’Alene’s banks. The city offers plenty of exciting activities for visitors, from museum tours and golf games to thrilling theme park rides. Whether you want to take in the sights or try something new, there’s something for everyone in Coeur d’Alene. This vibrant city has everything from educational attractions like the Museum of North Idaho to recreational activities such as Silverwood Theme Park and Couer d’Alene Resort Golf Course!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Chase Cabrera