The Lakeside Mountain Town In Idaho With Scenic Hikes And A Floating Green Golf Course

Looking for the gorgeous alpine lakes of Switzerland closer to home? The Idaho panhandle's largest city of Coeur d'Alene is fast becoming one of America's premier ski, golf, hiking, and spa destinations due to its picturesque lakeside setting. "The Lucerne of America" is located on I-90, just east of Spokane, Washington, and has set itself apart from other regional destinations not only with an award-winning, lakeside golf course, complete with a floating green, but also with incredible wildlife and hiking trails nearby.

A hundred years ago, the city was a major hub for logging and mining, with rugged North Idaho having some of the richest silver deposits in the United States. Today, former logging trails allow access to breathtaking scenes and some of the country's iconic wildlife, including moose, deer, elk, wolves, and bald eagles. The Coeur d'Alene area's 55 lakes and 2.5 million acres of National Forest provide plenty of space to unwind and get away from it all as soon as you get out of town.

When you're ready to come back to civilization, the city of Coeur d'Alene has become one of Idaho's finest travel destinations, offering everything you can want for a family trip or a romantic weekend any time of the year. The city's walkable downtown is home to over 100 cute shops and year-round events and parades, complete with plenty of parking. Fly through the trees on a zipline, then enjoy delicious local craft beer and award-winning wines as you see breathtaking sunsets over the lake or watch an osprey catch its dinner. Or, relax and recover on a spa day after visiting nearby Sandpoint, and Lake Pend Oreille, another one of America's best mountain towns for summer.

One of Coeur d'Alene's most famous attractions is the floating green at Coeur d'Alene Golf Resort. The resort stands out from all other golf courses not only for having the world's only floating green but also for its incredible lake views and world-class service on and off the course. Dedicated caddies join each round to help golfers play their best and make the transition time between each hole seamless. Each paid golfer is also entitled to hit a bucket of balls at the resort's on-the-lake practice area before a round. On the 14th hole, you'll take a boat out to make your putt on the floating green,  then will be rewarded with a souvenir bag tag at the end of your round. And, for the 19th hole, the resort has incredible lakeside views and dining to go with your drink or meal.

If you've come for hiking and outdoor adventures, you don't even have to leave the city. Tubbs Hill is located just outside of downtown and is a perfect, short afternoon hike for the whole family. Let the kids and the dog run free at Cherry Hill Park, or if you still have energy after a round of golf, venture up the Rutledge Trailhead and the Coeur d'Alene Parkway State Park, a popular footpath offering a picnic area and lakeside views each step of the way. And, whether you're planning to hit the trails before or after the links, be sure to bring this unexpected item to help you recover.

Coeur d'Alene and the Idaho panhandle aren't limited to summer recreation. In fact, North Idaho is beautiful and full of fun activities in any season. The Northwest's largest family-friendly theme park, Silverwood, is a must-visit in the fall. For an incredible ski trip, an indoor waterpark that's open during the winter, and snow tubing, Silver Mountain is less than an hour away. And, nearby Sandpoint is truly underrated when it comes to having a fun winter adventure.

For all four seasons, the most well-known and arguably one of the most beautiful trails, is The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. Whether you are a walker, biker, cross-country skier, or inline skater, this 72-mile paved path stretches across the northern part of the state and is perfect for a single or multi-day outing. The trail is well-maintained by state and local Coeur d'Alene Tribe, and much of it is flat, family-friendly, and accessible for people who are mobility impaired.

If you are using Coeur d'Alene as a jumping-off point to explore the wild Idaho backcountry, be sure to master some basic outdoor skills, as well as keep in mind that local wildlife and bears live in the area. If you are planning to hike in bear country, read this article to learn how to protect yourself if you happen to run into a bear outdoors. Whether you are heading east or west through the Pacific Northwest on an epic road trip, or are looking to spend the summer here in the tranquility of nature, the heart of North Idaho's world-class recreation, wildlife, and mix of civilization and pure nature make it a perfect place to visit any time of year.