Coeur d'Alene Lake Live Cam

Surrounding the Rathdrum Prairie and Spokane Valley

Live Webcam Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho - United States

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A city and the county seat of Kootenai County

The city of Coeur d' Alene Idaho is located along the shores of Lake Coeur d' Alene. It grew from a military fort, Fort Sherman, which was built in 1878. However, the population boom for Coeur d' Alene didn't truly begin until 1883 when gold was discovered in the area. Unfortunately, the gold rush was short lived and many of the miners turned to logging for their income. Due to its geographic location, Coeur d' Alene became a tourism hot spot in the early 1900's. Today there are many activities for visitors to Coeur d' Alene to choose from, whether they are outgoing adventurers looking for a thrill or someone just looking forward to some quite time away from the world.

Coeur d' Alene has many hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts to choose from, and with several ski resorts located in the area, vacations can be scheduled anytime of year. Summer activities include hiking, mountain biking, white water rafting, fishing, shopping and just plain old relaxation. Visitors will also find that they are just a few short miles from several Idaho State Parks and the city of Spokane Washington.

Nestled in the valley amongst various mountain ranges, it harbors one of the largest lakes in Idaho. Lake Coeur d'Alene, with over 120 miles of coastline is the place to visit and get away from it all. Hunting, fishing, water sports, hiking, shopping, theaters, and special local functions are all close by. Named by the Indians, Coeur d'Alene is pure beauty and is the heart of North Idaho. Only 35 miles to Spokane, Washington, it is the place to relax after your conference or business meeting or just a place to recluse amid Idaho's gorgeous ponderosa pine settings.

The Gem State (official) - The Potato State

Idaho has an area of 82,413 square miles. That's the same size as Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware combined. The lowest elevation is 736 feet above sea level and the highest point is 12,655 feet above sea level. There are over 2000 lakes and 3200 miles of rivers and streams. Fifty-eight percent of Idaho is publicly owned. If you raft, ride, hike, bike, hunt, fish, ski, backpack, climb, jump, dig, watch, or take pictures, we hope you find this site interesting and informative.

Idaho, the state of beauty, the state of prestige. One of the Inland Northwest's finest attrations. It features lakes and forest for hunting and fishing, and mountains for hiking during the summer and skiing during the winter. Nestled in the valleys are communities with all the amenities and comforts of some of America's largest cities. A perfect place for your business meetings or conventions. Or just a place to get away from the hussle of the regular world.

Fishing in the Heart of Idaho is excellent! From Arctic Grayling, Golden Trout, and Cutthroat in high mountain lakes, to hungry, eager brookies and beautiful feisty rainbow throughout the Central Idaho region, to the mighty ocean-going Chinook (we can only hope for a glimpse of this magnificent fish on the spawning beds of Indian Riffle between Challis and Stanley these days, no fishing allowed) and steelhead trout, a much sought after anadromous trout weighing between 4 and 25 pounds, Idaho has it all.

With more than 3,100 whitewater river miles, no other state can claim as many diverse recreational rivers as Idaho. There are many long wilderness stretches where only self-sustained river parties can go. Trips ranging in length from two to six days wind through areas of immaculate beauty. Some one-day trips flow through de facto wilderness. Such undisturbed stretches are perfect for disengaging from the stress of modern life, and reconnecting with nature and discovering its true importance. With more running water than any other state in the continental U.S., Idaho offers every kind of river-based excursion, from white-knuckled roller coaster rides to dreamy drifts through the cottonwoods. Commercial river running began in Idaho half a century ago.

The first successful trip down the famous Middle Fork of the Salmon River was made in 1936 in boats made of plywood and masonite. Rubber rafts, kayaks, canoes, drift boats, jet boats and do-it-yourself paddle boats are now used on trips ranging in length from a few hours to a few weeks. These trips are easily combined with fishing, backpacking, photography and horseback excursions. One hundred world class rapids make the Middle Fork of the Salmon Idaho's most famous stretch of river. Its full 100-mile length are federally protected as a "wild and scenic" waterway. Surrounding the river is the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the largest forested wilderness area in the lower 48 states. The water so clear, the scenery breathtaking. But the Middle Fork is just one of Idaho's wild and scenic rivers.

Also federally protected are the main Salmon River, the Lochsa, the Selway, the St. Joe and Hells Canyon of the Snake River. Together, they comprise a wild river system 236 miles in length. In Southern Idaho there are rivers of a different kind. The Snake River runs through the internationally renowned Birds of Prey refuge and Hells Canyon. The secluded Bruneau, Jarbidge and Owyhee rivers are favorites of whitewater lovers. And the Payette, Moyie and Clearwater rivers are run by professional outfitters. The Payette is especially well-known for its rafting, kayaking and paddle boat excitement. The Moyie's whitewater plunges through deep green cedar forests. And the Clearwater is famous for its hungry steelhead trout. Idaho's untamed waterways are as exciting and fulfilling today as they were a hundred years ago. They remain as they have been for eons - exquisitely wild and free, leading to untouched lands of immeasurable beauty.

Guided Tours: Whether you are interested in big game hunting, trophy trout fishing, whitewater expeditions, jet boat tours, cross-country skiing, helicopter skiing, backpacking, photography, mountain climbing, horseback rides, mountain biking or dog sled rides, Idaho's outfitters are experts at helping you plan an outdoor trip that perfectly matches your group's skills and interests.

Professionals Make The Difference! Big game hunting, trophy trout fishing, whitewater expeditions, jet boat tours, cross-country and backcountry skiing, steelhead fishing, helicopter skiing, backpacking, photography, mountain climbing, horseback rides, mountain biking and dog sled rides. Name your outdoor adventure and you'll find an outfitter in Idaho who will make it happen.

Idaho was one of the first states to license and bond its outfitters and guides. Stringent standards of practice were established nearly 35 years ago. To provide paid services in Idaho, outfitters and guides must be licensed by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board which ensures that its members are highly skilled, bonded, certified in first aid and financially capable of providing safe, environmentally-friendly outdoor experiences.

Professional outfitters and guides love Idaho's spectacular country and its spirit. They take pride in helping make your experience truly special. In roadless wilderness areas, you'll thrill to whitewater river rafting and big game hunting and backpack or ride horseback to secluded lakes and fishing holes. For exhilarating, unforgettable and one-of-a-kind adventures, Idaho's the place.

Idaho`s outfitters are experts at helping you plan an outdoor trip that perfectly matches your group's skills and interests. It's important to plan in advance and make reservations early. Here are a few guidelines. First, determine the level of the adventure and the type of trip you wish to take. Outfitters can facilitate hunts ranging from trekking cross-country on horseback to a secluded camp or traveling in a 4-wheel drive truck. Be sure to consider the individual experiences and expectations of everyone in your group. This is particularly important if certain members have special needs. For example, young children and people with disabilities or unusual diets have special needs that should be communicated to your outfitter. Trips generally range from a half-day to a week or more. Your group should reach a consensus in advance so that your professional outfitter can customize the trip to suit your expectations.

Hunting & Fishing Idaho has been famous among hunters and fishermen since the time of the fur trapper and the mountain man. With its huge, sparsely populated, wilderness areas, some experts claim that Idaho has the widest variety of game in the United States. Fly fisherman come from all over the world to Idaho for its famous, world class fly-fishing, and our ocean bound steelhead are a special attraction.

With a state population smaller than that of Denver, spread out over 83,000 square miles, Idaho's sparsely populated and diverse geography makes for a hunter's paradise. From canyons and flat, sage-brush-covered deserts in the South to forested, high mountains in the Center to smaller and lushly vegetated mountains in the North, Idaho has been famous among hunters since the time of the fur trapper. Idaho's hunting seasons are as long as 65 days in many area and overall success rates are high. Permits are easily available, thanks to Idaho's unique allocation system for clients and outfitters, and there is little if any hunter congestion and most species are thriving due to effective management practices. Idaho's rivers, lakes and reservoirs make for some of the best fishing in the west. Especially noteworthy is Fly-Fishing and Idaho boasts some of the best in the world at locations like Eastern Idaho's Henry's Fork. For more information about fishing and hunting in Idaho, please visit the Idaho Department of Fish & Game.

Winter Activities Idaho offers a full range of winter activities. Whether your passion is Nordic skiing, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or just relaxing in front of a warm fire -- you'll find that Idaho's pristine, uncrowded environment offers some of the highest quality winter sports in the west.

When the snow starts to fly in Idaho, the winters get hot. Some of the deepest powder, longest runs and most exciting back country trails in the west are right here in Idaho just waiting for you to ski, trek, tour or snowmobile. You'll find terrain for all types, but you won't find the crowds. Alpine Skiing - Idaho boasts many world class ski resorts including Sun Valley and Grand Targhee. Bogus Basin, just 16 miles from the state capital of Boise, offers high quality snow and an uncrowded winter experience. Nordic Skiing - Buried deep with snow, Idaho in winter lies waiting to be discovered. Nordic skiers can escape to the solitude of Idaho's backcountry, where Forest Service and private groomed trails stretch as far as 200 kilometers. Skiers will enjoy exploring the serene mountain trails and the terrain provides challenges for all types from advanced telemarkers to beginning cross-country skiiers. Snowmobiling - Plow through mountain meadows deep with powder, wind along timber lined trails or cruise rolling hillsides. With more than 5,000 miles of backcountry trails, Idaho's winter playground offers snowmobilers more groomed trails than any other western state.