North Idaho Driving Tours
There’s no better way to experience the wonders of North Idaho than from the open road, by car or seated on two wheels. Locals and visitors alike share the road to take in the great outdoors and scenic attractions along the way.
Cruise ‘round Lake Coeur d’Alene
Head east on Interstate 90, following the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The highway rises above it all as you cross Veteran’s Memorial Centennial Bridge before dropping down to Blue Creek Bay. Take Hwy 97 at Wolf Lodge and travel south. This area in winter is famous for viewing bald eagles. Drive along the rugged shore of the lake past the Mineral Ridge Scenic Area (with a nature trail, picnic area and rest stops). The road winds around several bays and after crossing the Coeur d’Alene River you come to the community of Harrison and the junction of Highway 3. Grab a great burger at One Shot Charlie’s and dessert at The Creamery before continuing on to St. Maries and the St. Joe River or turn on Highway 3 and enter the valley of the Coeur d’Alene River where you’ll discover the Chain Lakes area. Highway 3 rejoins Interstate 90 at Rose Lake for the return trip west to Coeur d’Alene.
Circle Hayden Lake
From Coeur d’Alene head north on Highway 95 to Lancaster Road, turn eastbound and travel approximately 25 scenic miles around Hayden Lake. Lower Hayden Lake Rd. intersects with Honeysuckle. Take Honeysuckle west to Government Way where you can grab a quick bite and a micro-brew at Daanen’s Deli or some great Italian food at Ciao Mambo (both at Gov't and Prairie Ave.)
Enjoy the View in Bayview
North of Coeur d’Alene on Hwy 95 at the small town of Athol is the junction of Hwy 54. East on Hwy 54 is the town of Bayview and Farragut State Park. The second largest State Park in Idaho, located on Lake Pend Oreille, it’s on the site of a former U.S. Naval Training Center opened during World War II. The Navy still operates an Acoustical Research Center at Bayview. This beautiful area has lots to see and do... mountain biking, cross country skiing, camping, picnicking, swimming, boating and wildlife watching, including majestic mountain goats on the steep cliffs above Lake Pend Oreille.
See the Silver Valley
Start your day early and from Coeur d’Alene head east on I-90 around Lake Coeur d’Alene and over 4th of July Pass. Just past the Cataldo Mission take Kingston Exit 43 and travel north. Pop into the Enaville Resort (established in 1881), also known as the Snake Pit and famous for Rocky Mountain Oysters. Follow the Coeur d’Alene River road for 26 scenic miles to Murray and experience yesteryear at the Sprag Pole Museum and Inn. Museum admission is free. Continue east back to I-90 and Historic Wallace where every downtown building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a Sierra Silver Mine tour and see the famous Oasis Bordello. On I-90 westbound, side trip to Kellogg for a gondola ride to the top of Silver Mountain.
See the sunset over Lake Coeur d’Alene as you return from this full day drive.
Northern Sights... Pend Oreille River/Priest Lake
From Sandpoint head west on Highway 2 following the scenic route along the Pend Oreille River. At Priest River you can turn north on Highway 57 (use same route for return trip) and visit Priest Lake, a popular summer resort area known as one of the most pristine lakes in the world. With miles of snowmobile and cross country ski trails, it is also a worthwhile winter trip.
Optional route - at Priest River you can proceed west to Oldtown, Idaho. Just west of Priest River is Albeni Falls hydroelectric dam and visitors center. Continue west, turn south at Oldtown onto Hwy 41. The two lane road proceeds through forested areas and the communities of Blanchard and Spirit Lake. Beautiful golf courses in Blanchard and Twin Lakes (south of Spirit Lake) have on-premise restaurants. Just south of Spirit Lake, the junction of Hwy 54 allows you to return to north to Sandpoint or south to Coeur d’Alene via Hwy 95. Or continue south on Hwy 41 and go through historic Rathdrum and on to I-90.
Scenic Route to the Coeur d’Alene Casino
From Coeur d'Alene, head East on I-90 over 4th of July Pass to Exit 34. The White Pine Scenic Byway goes south through Rose Lake to St. Maries. Then go west on state Route 5 through Heyburn State Park (some nice rest areas for wading or fishing) on Lake Chatcolet. Continue on to Plummer then North on Hwy 95 to The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort. 24-hour gaming, restaurants and major events. About 120 miles.
Free Ride
The Citylink bus system is a free ride service. With over 44 stops, the green and white buses are bustling around all over the area with stops at Riverstone, North Idaho College, the Coeur d’Alene Resort, Cabela’s and the Silver Lake Mall. Watch for them zipping around from Coeur d’Alene to Worley and the Coeur d’Alene Casino, Hayden, Post Falls and even Rathdrum. Citylink represents the first time in the United States that a tribal government (the Coeur d’Alenes) and a local government (Kootenai County) have collaborated to create a free public transportation. Schedules and route information for Citylink Bus can be accessed at www.idahocitylink.com
