North Idaho Lakes

Lakes Near Coeur d'Alene

Miles of calm water for paddleboarding and kayaking. Lake CDA is right in town.

Rent a paddleboard or kayak

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Lake Coeur d'Alene

One of the most scenic lakes in the Northwest. Lake Coeur d'Alene covers 25 square miles with 109 miles of shoreline, sandy beaches, and calm bays. Multiple launch points right from downtown make it the easiest starting point for a paddling day.

Launch spots

Downtown & Coeur d'Alene Resort -- City docks near downtown. Easy access with parking nearby.
Sanders Beach -- East side of Tubbs Hill. Quieter than downtown with a sandy beach launch.
Tubbs Hill -- Paddle around the hill to explore coves and shoreline. Good for all skill levels.
Beauty Bay -- Calm water across from Higgins Point. Scenic and less crowded.
Spokane River -- Launch from NIC beaches and paddle alongside the Centennial Trail.

Hayden, Idaho

Hayden Lake

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

Launch spots

Honeysuckle Beach -- Public beach with a dock. 15 minutes north of Coeur d'Alene. Local favorite.
Sportsman's Park -- Public boat launch on the lake.

Sandpoint, Idaho

Lake Pend Oreille

The largest lake in Idaho at 65,000 acres. Lake Pend Oreille is about 45 minutes north of CDA and offers a full day of paddling with dramatic mountain scenery on all sides. 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. No experience needed.

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