Coeur d'Alene is situated on the north shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene and the northern bank of the Spokane River, about 30 miles east of Spokane, Washington. It's a city that has experienced steady growth since the late 1990s. When it comes to real estate, Coeur d'Alene has everything from ultra luxury lakeshore homes to gorgeous single-family homes in quiet neighborhoods to condos and townhomes. Not to mention acreages and ranches! With an abundance of recreational amenities - including two ski resorts - and good infrastructure, Coeur d'Alene real estate is highly desirable.
Rathdrum Prairie is a sprawling prairie land in Idaho consisting of towns and areas like Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, and Athol. Surrounded by mountains and a quick and convenient drive to many stunning lakes in the area - Rathdrum Prairie communities are amazing to visit year-round with great waterfront activities and ski resorts.
Hayden Lake is east of Hayden in Kootenai County and a good part of the community runs along the western shore of Lake Hayden. It's a large area with mature trees that are surrounding the Hayden Lake Country Club, which is a prestigious golf course. Homes in Hayden Lake have large lots offering plenty of privacy for homeowners. Hayden Lake also boasts stunning lakefront homes with amazing water views. The area is very desirable as it's close to shopping and plenty of recreational activities.
Post Falls has a population of around 33,200 people and is situated on the North and South banks of the Spokane River, just West of Coeur d'Alene, about 25 miles east of Spokane, Washington. Post Falls is growing rapidly, with the ongoing development of the prairie between Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene and Rathdrum. You'll find that Post Falls has a small town feel located between two quickly growing cities.
Athol
The Athol area is surrounded by several lakes which were formed by the glaciers of the ice age. Choose from one of the 55 lakes within easy driving distance of Athol, but none has more shoreline and unique history than Lake Pend Oreille. You can reach five nearby lakes in 10 minutes or less.
Athol, Idaho is the only city uniquely situated at the crossroads, State Highway 95 and State Highway 54, of northern Idaho. Boasting a small town atmosphere where neighbors know neighbors and strangers wave at each other. There is no other town like Athol in all of northern Idaho where you can enjoy a quiet evening or escape to the wilderness of Farragut State Park. The Athol area zip code is 83801 with a population 5,546, making it the 6th largest in Kootenai County.
Heyburn State Park is Idaho’s first – and, created in 1908, is actually the oldest state park in the Pacific Northwest. This large, 8,000-acre park has 73 campsites plus cabins and cottages, and is open year-round. Located at the southern tip of Coeur d’Alene Lake, the park is along the fabulous Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes – a 72-mile paved bike path extending to Wallace – and features a host of activities including picnicking, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, waterfowl hunting and more.
For hikers, there are a number of trails of interest, many of them suitable for mountain bikes and featuring big lake views:
The Whitetail Loop trail is 6.2 miles with a good climb to elevation then relatively rolling terrain.
The Indian Cliff Trail is a 2.3 mile loop for foot traffic only.
Plummer Creek Fire Trail is 1.5 miles relatively flat walking.
The Lakeshore Loop Trail stays near the lake and is relatively flat for its .9 mile length.
For boaters, there is a launch, dock and marina.
ubbs Hill
Right in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene, explore the wild beauty of the publicly owned Tubbs Hill peninsula with an easy trek on the Tubbs Hill Nature Trail. The two-mile trail loop along Lake Coeur d’Alene offers historical points along the way, plus there are terrific photo opportunities.
Tubbs Hill consists of over 120 acres and is bordered by Lake Coeur d’Alene on the west, south and east sides. There are several miles of hiking trails on the hill that provide spectacular scenery for everyone to enjoy.
Directions: The trail head on the west side of Tubbs Hill is located in the south western corner of McEuen Park, at 210 S. 3rd Street.
Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes is located in Kootenai County, Idaho. The lake is made up of two bodies of water, the upper and lower lakes. The upper lake reaches out across 500 acres and has a maximum depth of 20 feet. The lower lake, which is connected by a narrow channel spanning 10 feet, has a surface area of 350 acres and has a maximum depth reaching down to 60 feet. The lake’s dam, owned by the Twin Lakes Rathdrum Flood Control District 17, was constructed in 1909 and is used to regulate water levels for irrigation and drinking water.
While Twin Lakes remains chilly throughout most of the year, this does not deter visitors and residents from enjoying its waters and beautiful surroundings. Coeur d’Alene National Forest is a few miles to the east and Mt. Spokane State Park to the west making Twin Lakes is a veritable paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Coeur d’Alene National Forest stretches across 726,362 acres and three of Idaho’s counties. Backpackers and day hikers can find solitude within this intense wilderness area, where grizzly bear, wolves, lynx and caribou roam. Towards the west, Mt. Spokane State Park covers 13,919 acres with a large emphasis on winter activities, from downhill skiing and snowboarding to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
Spirit Lake
The lake itself measures more than 4 and a half miles long and over a mile across at the widest point, with a surface area of 1,445 acres. With 12 miles of shoreline, it is the highest (above sea level) of all small lakes in the Inland Empire in this area with an elevation of 2,400 feet. Official soundings taken at the birth of the city of Spirit Lake gave a depth of approximately 82 feet at the deepest section. Since then soundings have been made at over 100 feet, it is claimed.
Spirit Lake is reputed to be one of only two lakes in the world with a sealed bottom -- an apt location for those phantom spirits that are said to haunt the beautiful waters of this fascinating Lake of the Spirits.
Geologists relate that in the Pre-Cambrian Age and Paleozoic Age, which were made up of flows of lava and ice, and also during which the earth was ravaged by fire, glaciers moved down from the north and caused the lakes and mountains of today. Then, a lake extended from Coeur d’Alene to Missoula, Montana, and north to Canada. Coeur d’Alene, Pend Oreille, and all of the small lakes in this part of the Northwest are just small remnants of that immense sheet of water.
The city of Spirit Lake rests on a plateau composed of glacial sand and gravel. Years ago a well digger dug a hole 3 feet square and 525 feet deep. He was almost 400 feet below the level of the lake and there was no trace of water and after a period of time there were no signs of seepage. Rumors have it that Spirit Lake has an underground outlet, but this has never been proven
Farragut State Park
With a rich history as a World War II naval training center, Farragut State Park combines the history with simply spectacular scenery at the very southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille. The large 4,000-acre park has 223 individual camping sites, seven group camps and 10 camping cabins. Activities include picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, swimming, water sports, disc golf, archery, horseback riding and more; in winter, it is a premier cross-country skiing destination. For boaters there is a launch ramp and docks.
For hikers, there are three family-friendly walks in the park:
Squirrel Cache Trail is an easy 1.2-mile loop with interpretive signs and meadow and forest habitats.
Shoreline Trail winds along Buttonhook Bay with outstanding views of the Monarch Mountains surrounding the very scenic bay. It’s an easy hike, 1.5 miles one way.
Highpoint Trail is a bit more strenuous three-mile hike (six round-trip) as the destination is Bernard Peak with excellent viewpoints of the south end of 43-mle-long Lake Pend Oreille. It is easy for the first two miles, then rocky and steep for the final mile.
