North Idaho Lakes

Lakes Near Coeur d'Alene

There are miles of calm water for paddleboarding and kayaking around here, and Lake CDA is right in town.

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Lake Coeur d'Alene paddleboarding and kayaking

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Lake Coeur d'Alene

Lake Coeur d'Alene is one of the most scenic lakes in the Northwest, covering 25 square miles with 109 miles of shoreline, sandy beaches, and calm bays. There are multiple launch points right from downtown, which makes it the easiest place to start a paddling day.

Launch spots

  • Downtown & Coeur d'Alene Resort : The city docks near downtown are easy to get to, with parking nearby.
  • Sanders Beach : On the east side of Tubbs Hill, it's quieter than downtown and has a sandy beach to launch from.
  • Tubbs Hill : Paddle around the hill to explore the coves and shoreline. It's good for all skill levels.
  • Beauty Bay : The water is calm across from Higgins Point, and it's scenic and less crowded.
  • Spokane River : Launch from the NIC beaches and paddle alongside the Centennial Trail.
Hayden Lake paddleboarding and kayaking

Hayden, Idaho

Hayden Lake

Hayden Lake is 15 minutes north of Coeur d'Alene. It's smaller and quieter than Lake CDA, so it's a good option when you want calm water without the boat traffic, and Honeysuckle Beach is the main public access point.

Launch spots

  • Honeysuckle Beach : A local favorite, this public beach has a dock and sits 15 minutes north of Coeur d'Alene.
  • Sportsman's Park : Public boat launch on the lake.
Lake Pend Oreille paddleboarding and kayaking

Sandpoint, Idaho

Lake Pend Oreille

At 65,000 acres, Lake Pend Oreille is the largest lake in Idaho. It's about 45 minutes north of CDA and makes for a full day of paddling with dramatic mountain scenery on all sides, and there are multiple launch points around the lake.

Launch spots

  • Farragut State Park : Multiple launch spots on the southern tip of the lake.
  • City Beach, Sandpoint : Right in downtown Sandpoint with mountain views.

Get out on the water

We rent stand-up paddleboards and kayaks from our shop on Sherman Ave in downtown Coeur d'Alene, and you don't need any experience to get out there.

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