Northern Idaho Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Northern Idaho
Northern Idaho
Northern Idaho featuring a lake or waterhole and a sunset
Harrison which includes a lake or waterhole and tranquil scenes
Harrison showing a lake or waterhole

Idaho’s Panhandle region is a wonderland of thrilling family attractions and adventurous activities within a swath of green, mountainous countryside.

Head into the mountains of Northern Idaho, a seldom-explored corner of the U.S. that offers a vacation packed with entertainment and excitement. The Panhandle region stretches up the Canadian border and reaches into the Coeur d’Alene and Bitterroot ranges of the Rocky Mountains.

The Coeur D’Alene region’s history lies in the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Visit the Museum of North Idaho to learn about the roles that logging and agriculture played in the industry of the state. Explore the Bonner County Historical Museum or the Old Mission in the town of Coeur d’Alene for insight into the region’s indigenous communities.

Northern Idaho is a place where you can embrace the outdoors. Lace up your hiking boots and hit the walking trails around the lakes and rivers of the region. Trek through Kootenai Wildlife Refuge and look for bison, elk and other wild animals. Q’emiln Trail encompasses 14 different routes and winds through the Spokane River gorge.

Bring your family to Northern Idaho for fun at any time of year. In winter, Farragut State Park offers enjoyable skiing slopes for all abilities, while many of the towns offer sports such as snowmobiling and ice skating. In summer, plummet down the steep drops of the roller coasters in Silverwood Theme Park or ride mountain bike trails through untouched scenery.

Golfers flock to Northern Idaho to play 18 holes with the Rocky Mountains as a dramatic backdrop to their game. Ponderosa, Avondale and Priest Lake are just a few of the popular courses in the region.

Fly into Coeur d’Alene Airport to land in the middle of Northern Idaho. Alternatively, choose one of the regular flights to Spokane International Airport in neighboring Washington.

Northern Idaho is colder than the southern half of the state. Come in winter for heavy snowfalls and exhilarating winter sports. Peak season in Northern Idaho is in summer, when the sun shines brightly and the mountains break out into the colors of seasonal flowers.

Where to stay in Northern Idaho

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Kid Island Bay

If you're spending some time in Kid Island Bay, Kid Island Bay and Lake Coeur d'Alene are top sights worth seeing.

Kid Island Bay
Lake coeur d'alene!

Downtown

While Downtown may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Independence Point and Tubbs Hill Park.

Downtown
A waterfront cafe restaurant along the small lake with water feature at the Riverstone development district in the downtown Coeur d'Alene area.

Garden District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Garden District and surrounding area, you can visit Independence Point and Tubbs Hill Park.

Garden District
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Sanders Beach

If you're spending some time in Sanders Beach, Tubbs Hill Park and Lake Coeur d'Alene are top sights worth seeing.

Sanders Beach
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East Mullen

While East Mullen isn't home to many top sights, Sanders Beach and Tubbs Hill Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

East Mullen
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East Midtown

While East Midtown isn't home to many top sights, Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course and Sanders Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

East Midtown
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coeur d`Alene

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coeur d`Alene

3 out of 5
333 Ironwood Ave Coeur d'Alene ID
The price is AU$159 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
AU$159
3 Feb - 4 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Coeur d'Alene. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,346 reviews)
My Wife and I have been using this hotel over the last 20 years. We live 80 miles south of Coeur d' Alene and it has been our choice to stay when we come for a get-a-way. Its changed name over that time but still a great place to stay, always clean and quite.

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coeur d`Alene
Cedar Street Hotel and Suites

Cedar Street Hotel and Suites

2.5 out of 5
415 Cedar St Sandpoint ID
The price is AU$162 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
AU$162
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sandpoint. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
Nice location in down town.

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Cedar Street Hotel and Suites
Triple Play Resort Hotel & Suites

Triple Play Resort Hotel & Suites

2.5 out of 5
151 West Orchard Avenue Hayden ID
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hayden. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Everything was great, except in the morning, when I went to make coffee, poured water into the back of the coffee pot in the room, and seeing something floating in the water, someone previously had put grapefruit seeds in it and was floating. Pretty disgusting that someone would do that, i did mention ...

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Triple Play Resort Hotel & Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stoneridge Resort

Stoneridge Resort

3 out of 5
150 Holiday Loop Blanchard ID
Stay at this golf aparthotel in Blanchard. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (423 reviews)
Comfortable and fully equipped kitchen. The staff is always professional and friendly.

Reviewed on 25 Oct 2025

Stoneridge Resort
Dog-friendly mountain castle with a washer/dryer, private hot tub, & fireplace

Dog-friendly mountain castle with a washer/dryer, private hot tub, & fireplace

Sandpoint ID
Stay at this ski holiday home in Sandpoint. Enjoy private hot tubs, a water park and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (34 reviews)
This was such a magical place to stay on our Christmas vacation!! It surpassed ALL expectations! I have yet to experience such uniqueness as well as exceptional quality… We came with our college age sons and they were blown away! The second night we had 6 inches of fresh snow…Chateau ...

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2025

Dog-friendly mountain castle with a washer/dryer, private hot tub, & fireplace
Private lakeside A-frame cabin w/ hot tub, beach, docks, games... 4 season fun!

Private lakeside A-frame cabin w/ hot tub, beach, docks, games... 4 season fun!

Coeur d'Alene ID
Stay at this beach cabin in Coeur d'Alene. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a beach locale. Popular attractions Lake Coeur d'Alene and Coeur d'Alene Parkway ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (86 reviews)
Great place to stay
Great place to hold a stay for my friends and family and there was plenty of actives to keep us completely entertained.

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025

Private lakeside A-frame cabin w/ hot tub, beach, docks, games... 4 season fun!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Northern Idaho

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