Coeur d'Alene
Travelers go to Coeur d'Alene for the lake, the wooded trails around town and an easy pace in northern Idaho.
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Coeur d'Alene is a city in the Idaho panhandle, on the north shore of Coeur d'Alene Lake, a large lake ringed by forested mountains. It sits about 30 miles east of Spokane, Washington, and a rental car from Spokane International Airport is the simplest way to reach it. Downtown, Sherman Avenue has shops and restaurants within walking distance of the lakefront. Most visitors come for the water. Summer brings swimming, boating and time on the lakefront, and several golf courses sit in the area.
Tubbs Hill, a wooded hill close to downtown, has a loop trail with views over the lake. In fall, the surrounding forests change color, and in winter the nearby mountains draw skiers. Summer is the busiest season on the lake, so book beds early. Most travelers find two to four days enough for the town, the trails and a day trip to Sandpoint or Wallace.
Coeur d'Alene in five
- Fly into Spokane and rent a carSpokane International Airport is the closest large airport, a short drive west of Coeur d'Alene. A rental car gives you the most freedom for the lake, the trailheads and day trips.Getting around
- Book summer beds earlyLakefront hotels and rentals are in demand on summer weekends, so book early for June through August.Where to stay
- Download offline maps before the trailsPhone signal can be weak on some trails around the lake and in the hills, so save maps offline before you leave town. An eSIM or local data plan covers the drive from Spokane.Phones and eSIM
- Check air quality before a long hikeWildfire smoke can settle over the lake in late summer. Check the local air quality index on AirNow.gov before a long walk or a day on the water.
- Walk Tubbs Hill before the crowdsTubbs Hill is a wooded hill in town with a loop trail along the water, and it is quieter in the morning. Bring water for the climb and the open shoreline.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver visitors need an ESTA; most others need a visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Customary in restaurants (15 to 20%) and for taxi drivers
- Time
- UTC-8 Pacific Time, UTC-7 in summer; daylight saving observed
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snowy
- FebruaryCold, snowy
- MarchMelt, cool
- AprilCool, wet
- MayGreen, mild
- JuneWarm, long days
- JulyLake season
- AugustHot, smoke risk
- SeptemberFall color, warm
- OctoberCool, quiet
- NovemberCold, quiet
- DecemberSnow, ski season
Right now in Coeur d'Alene
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 49%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Coeur d'Alene
03:01 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°2°0%Monday: Fog. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue13°2°4%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed12°1°7%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Thu12°2°50%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Fri11°2°18%Friday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sat15°3°3%Saturday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun11°5°26%Sunday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 26%.
Updated 01:03 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Sandpointabout 1 hour by carA lakeside town on Lake Pend Oreille, quieter than Coeur d'Alene.Read the guide
- Wallaceabout 1 hour by carA historic mining town in the Silver Valley, with old brick streets.Read the guide
- Spokaneunder an hour by carA bigger city across the Washington state line, with museums and shops.Read the guide
Before you go to Coeur d'Alene
Rules for Coeur d'Alene, checked
- Visa Waiver visitors must apply for an ESTA before they fly to the US. Check the current rules on the official CBP site before you book.Source
- Cannabis is illegal in Idaho, though recreational use is legal in neighboring Washington. Do not carry it across the state line.
- Check current fire restrictions before you light a campfire or grill on public land, since they change with the season.
Plan around Coeur d'Alene
Lakes, mountain towns and the Silver Valley across the state
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights into Spokane, rental cars and drives around the lake
Read the guideWhere to stayLakefront hotels, downtown rooms and quieter edge-of-town stays
Read the guideMoney and costsDaily spending and how to pay in the US
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA rules and what to prepare before you fly
Read the guideCoeur d'Alene FAQ
Is Coeur d'Alene worth visiting?
Yes, for lake swimming, boating and short hikes around town. Plan one day for Tubbs Hill and the lakeshore, and a second for the trails or a drive to Sandpoint.
How do you get to Coeur d'Alene?
Fly into Spokane International Airport and rent a car there. Driving gives you the lake, the trailheads and the nearby towns on your own schedule.
How many days do you need in Coeur d'Alene?
Two nights cover the lakeshore, Tubbs Hill and a day trip to Sandpoint or Wallace. One night works if you only want the town and the water.
Is Coeur d'Alene good for hiking?
Yes. Tubbs Hill has a loop trail in town, and the Centennial Trail runs through the area. Carry water and download maps before you go, since phone signal is patchy.
When is the best time to visit Coeur d'Alene?
June through September for lake days and warm weather. Late summer can bring wildfire smoke, and winters are cold with snow from December to March.
Is Coeur d'Alene or Sandpoint better?
Coeur d'Alene is bigger, with more shops, restaurants and lakefront hotels. Sandpoint is smaller and quieter, with easy access to the mountains north of the lake.