North Idaho Sports & Outdoor Recreation
Shoot A Picture
 The
perfect souvenir of your North Idaho vacation are
photographs of the great outdoors and abundant wildlife. The
2,774 acre Kootenai
National Wildlife Refuge is located in
Boundary County, surrounded by Deep Creek and the Kootenai
River to the east and the Selkirk Mountains on the west, its
purpose to provide resting and feeding habitat for migrating
water fowl. The viewing route is approximately four miles
and accessible by car, biking or hiking. Open to visitors
daily, office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 267-3888
Just minutes from downtown Coeur d'Alene, the 88-acre
Cougar Bay Preserve is a virtual wildlife nursery on the shores of
Lake Coeur d'Alene. Cougar Bay attracts migrating and
nesting waterfowl, numerous shorebirds, songbirds, moose,
beaver, otter and deer. It offers 5+ miles of interpretive
hiking trails, canoeing and kayaking, and wildlife and bird
watching. Information kiosk and restroom available. 676-8176
 Another great aspect to North Idaho is the opportunity to
view wildlife without having to climb a mountain or hike
into the back country. Elk, moose, deer, osprey and Canada
geese are often visible in town.
Photographs can be taken from the comfort of a climate
controlled boat with cruises on Lake Coeur d'Alene, Lake
Pend Oreille, Spokane River and St. Joe River making for
spectacular viewing spring, summer and fall.
Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises 765-4000, Spokane River Queen-Red Lion Templins 773-1611,
Lake Pend
Oreille Cruises 255-LAKE and
the St. Joe River Cruises, 686-1308.
The Camera Corral in downtown Coeur d'Alene is the only
full-service camera specialty store where you can upgrade
your equipment and have photographs developed and enlarged.
Watch Eagles Soar
 Beginning
in late November, migrant populations of bald eagles arrive
at Wolf Lodge Bay at the east end of Lake Coeur d'Alene as
well as other numerous locations on Lake Pend Oreille.
Waters are rich with salmon that have spawned and died,
offering the eagles abundant winter food. The eagles, which
can easily be viewed from I-90 near Wolf Lodge area. Higgins
Point on at the east end of Lake Coeur d'Alene Drive
features information kiosks and the perfect place to park
and view. Highway 200 between Sandpoint and Hope is another
viewing venue. The eagles normally depart the area in late
January. A once in a lifetime experience to see the symbol
of America in its natural habitat makes this a must-see and
do experience when you visit in the winter months. Special
eagle viewing cruises on Lake Coeur d'Alene and Lake Pend
Oreille are popular winter pastimes in North Idaho.
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