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