| Put this idea on your list of things to do. For a | | | | city is the largest in northern Idaho with a population |
| vacation treat, visit the three well-known lakes found | | | | of less than 40,000. Set on the north shore of the |
| in the Panhandle of Idaho. The Panhandle lakes are | | | | lake, Coeur d'Alene is a great jumping off spot for |
| legendary and big. | | | | water sports and a wide variety of other outdoor |
| Twelve U. S. States have land protrusions called | | | | recreations. Silverwood, the Northwest's largest |
| panhandles. The Idaho Panhandle is the northernmost | | | | theme park with its new water park, Boulder Beach, |
| region of the state, bordered to the west by | | | | is just a short drive north of the city. The park |
| Washington, to the east by Montana and to the | | | | features 60 thrilling rides, including three big-time roller |
| north by Canada's British Columbia. This slender arm | | | | coasters. |
| of land is the home of just over 20% of Idaho's 1.4 | | | | Priest Lake is west of Sandpoint following the |
| million population. | | | | Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage on U.S. Route 2. |
| Drive into the Panhandle from any direction and you | | | | This scenic route is one of six designated Scenic |
| will be driving along a lake, river or stream. While the | | | | Byways located on the Panhandle. When you arrive |
| three largest lakes, Lake Pend Oreille (Pond-er-ray), | | | | at the little town of Priest River you are closing in on |
| Coeur d'Alene (Cor-da-lane) Lake and Priest Lake are | | | | the peaceful setting for Priest Lake. Turn north on |
| predominant, more than half of the total surface | | | | State Route 57 and follow the river to the lake. If |
| waters in Idaho are found in this northern section of | | | | you are looking for solitude and fun, this is it. |
| the state. Lake Pend Oreille is 65 miles long and 15 | | | | Not everything in Northern Idaho is on or related to |
| miles wide at its widest point. Coeur d'Alene Lake is | | | | the large, pristine lakes. For example, there are 6 |
| 30 miles long and up to 3 miles wide and Priest Lake | | | | Idaho State Parks on the Panhandle. These include: |
| is 25 miles long. These lakes provide for excellent | | | | - Priest Lake State Park, on East Shore Road, off |
| boating, sailing, and water sports of all kinds, plus | | | | State Route 57 |
| world-class fishing. | | | | - Farragut State Park, on State Route 54, off U.S. |
| A 37-pound Kamloops trout has been taken at Lake | | | | Route 95 near Athol, Idaho |
| Pend Oreille, and prize-winning Dolly Varden trout and | | | | - Heyburn State Park, State Route 5, off U.S. 95, |
| lake trout are often caught. Chinook salmon of over | | | | between Plummer and St. Maries |
| 40 pounds and tasty kokanee trout are hooked in | | | | - Coeur d'Alene Parkway State Park, off Interstate |
| Coeur d'Alene Lake, and Priest Lake is the location of | | | | 90 in Coeur d'Alene |
| the world's record for the giant Mackinaw trout and | | | | - Round Lake State Park, on Dufort Road, off U.S. 95 |
| for trophy rainbow trout. Boat launching facilities are | | | | near Sagle, Idaho |
| available at these lakes, and boat and watercraft | | | | - Old Mission State Park, take Exit 39, off Interstate |
| rentals are also offered. Campsites are plentiful on all | | | | 90 at Cataldo, Idaho |
| three lakes and marinas and resorts ranging from | | | | Three National Forests lie in northern Idaho. The |
| rustic to world-class can be found on each. | | | | Idaho Panhandle National Forests are an aggregation |
| The center of activities for Lake Pend Oreille is the | | | | of the Coeur d'Alene and portions of the Kaniksu and |
| quaint town of Sandpoint on the lake's northern end. | | | | St. Joe National Forests. This 2.5 million acres of public |
| This town of about 7,000 is an emerging art colony | | | | lands are managed by the U.S. Forest Service. These |
| featuring many art galleries, boutique shopping and | | | | lands offer up an endless list of outdoor activities, |
| specialty restaurants. Sandpoint's City Beach and Park | | | | including hiking, camping, biking, fishing and hunting, |
| is a popular summer attraction for locals and | | | | and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the |
| vacationers alike, and nearby Schweitzer Mountain is | | | | winter months. |
| the Northwest's premier ski resort in the winter. Any | | | | With this abundance of possibilities, a visit to Idaho's |
| time of the year, it provides an outstanding view of | | | | spectacular Panhandle Lakes Country makes a lot of |
| the lake below. | | | | sense. Put it on your short list of things you just |
| The city of Coeur d'Alene is the hub for activities on | | | | have to do. |
| Coeur d'Alene Lake and the surrounding area. The | | | | |