By Eric Deady
Cover photo courtesy of Eric Deady
When I think of getting out there, especially during the summer months, I think of water, and how to get myself into it. There’s no place quite like the Idaho Panhandle when it comes to swimming opportunities, and it’s as easy as a summer breeze to find a great place to dip your toes.
Whether we live here full time, or are just passing through, we are lucky to find ourselves in a place that Neptune himself could have designed. Lakes, rivers, creeks, springs, and ponds criss-cross and dot the landscape of North Idaho in every conceivable size and shape, and all are tantalizingly clear and fresh. So if you’re looking to spend a lazy afternoon in the water, there’s no better way than to grab a book, a towel, and some snacks, and head on over to any one of my favorite swimming spots in the region. Here are three of my favorites!
Tubbs Hill (Coeur d’Alene)
For an easy-to-reach spot, Tubbs Hill near downtown Coeur d’Alene is a postcard-perfect nugget of rock and trees that juts out into Lake CDA. It is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and swimming spots around. From any place in town, you are no more than a 15-minute walk from a dip into some of the clearest mountain water you could hope to find. There is a 2-mile trail that rings the hill, and all along the trail are spots to venture off and find a nice little piece of paradise. If solitude isn’t a priority, you can join the ever-present groups of thrill seekers jumping from the rocks near the start of the trail.
Beaver Bay (Farragut State Park)
If big mountain views, protected swimming areas, and world-class camping are your jam, head on over to Lake Pend Oreille, a short drive north of Coeur d’Alene, where you will find the jewel of the Idaho State Parks system, Farragut State Park. Here, Beaver Bay Beach will greet you with its emerald green waters and breathtaking views. There is a protected swimming area here, so bring the kids, set up an umbrella, and soak in some of that clear mountain water to get a taste of what makes North Idaho so special. Farragut State Park is also just a fun place to visit, with miles of challenging MTB trails, five disc golf courses, and multiple campgrounds, all situated along the largest and deepest lake in Idaho.
Lionhead Slides (Priest Lake)
My final swimming spot is probably my favorite! This place is very remote, requiring a multiple-hour drive and a strenuous hike before you arrive, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Situated deep within a sub-alpine valley, and ringed by towering granite slabs and cliffs, is Lion Creek, which drains into the north end of Priest Lake. This creek seems unremarkable until you hike along its wandering course for several miles and come across one of the natural wonders of North Idaho, the Lionhead Slides. Here, the cool water cascades over a series of smooth granite slabs, which are just slimy enough to allow a person to slide down them at terrifyingly fast speeds, only to be deposited unceremoniously into one of the pools at the bottom with a satisfying splash. The slides are 5 miles up a 4×4-accessible dirt road, with an additional 1.5-mile hike. The water is cold, the danger real, and the effort great, but for those willing to seek out the adventure, the memories will be lasting. //
Eric Deady lives in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he spends his time bikepacking, raising his kids, and exploring the endless expanses of forest around the Pacific Northwest. If he’s not on his bike, you can usually find him fixing one.
