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Bonners Ferry: Natural Wonders in Northern Idaho!

The area around Bonners Ferry, Idaho is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, white-water rafting, skiing, and snowmobiling are just a few of the activities available in the region. Anglers will love the fly fishing on both the Kootenai and Moyie Rivers. Skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of powder at nearby Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Hiking aficionados will be giddy about all the trails meandering through the Panhandle National Forest. Power boats travel the Kootenai River all the way to the Canadian border. Bonners Ferry is rich with possibilities. The only limits to your fun are in your imagination!

Northern Idaho: Tons of Fun in the Rugged Panhandle!

Northern Idaho, sometimes referred to as "the Panhandle", is a year-round playground. From May through October, fishing poles, boats, and hiking gear take up prime garage space. The winter brings the snow, and with it skis and snowmobiles are brought out of storage and put into action. Moose and Bitterroot flowers are part of the every day experience in Idaho. Rivers, lakes, canyons, mountains, and waterfalls make up a landscape that was visited by Lewis & Clark. A day in the Panhandle can include fishing, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, snowboarding, golf, and any number of adventures into the forested countryside.

Coeur d'Alene feels like a summer resort town. Life around Coeur d'Alene Lake brings rollerbladers, parasailers, swimmers, and anglers of all description. Originally founded as a military outpost, Coeur d'Alene makes a great base camp for a northern Idaho vacation. The history of the area can be re-lived at the Museum of North Idaho. Exhibits include topics on Fort Sherman, early transportation (steamboat to railcar), and local industries like logging and mining.

The lake is the center of recreation during the summer months. For some prime sun tan time, and excellent people watching, head to City Beach. Concession stands, Frisbee tossers, rollerbladers, swimmers, sun bathers, and parasailers interact in a frenzy of summer fun. Anglers tackle the lake for kokanee, chinook, and northern pike. Sunday brunch and midnight cruises around the lake are also popular pastimes.

In winter, Coeur d'Alene is a great jumping off point for some alpine exploration. Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort receives over 300 inches of snow a year and overlooks beautiful Pend Oreille Lake. Silver Mountain Ski Resort encompasses two mountains - Kellogg Peak at 6,300 feet and Wardner Peak at 6,200 feet, 2,200 vertical feet, 53 runs, and some of the finest powder stashes you'll find anywhere.

More aquatic fun can be found in beautiful Pend Oreille Lake, about an hour north of Coeur d'Alene. The town of Sandpoint sits on the northwest corner of the lake, and is full of excellent shopping, wonderful restaurants, and exciting nightclubs. If a slice of small town life is your thing, head to Priest River. This wee community prides itself on its slow pace and the friendliness of its citizens. Residents of both these towns enjoy the fishing, swimming, parasailing, boating, and sun bathing opportunities the lake has to offer.

Priest Lake is a secluded gem, surrounded by thick forests and the snowcapped peaks of the Selkirk Mountains. North of Sandpoint, Priest Lake is really two lakes separated by a river. A haven for wildlife, some of the lake's residents are moose, mountain goats, and the occasional grizzly bear. This is the place if your interests include hiking, mountain biking, or kayaking. A favorite with hikers and bikers is the Navigation Trail. Beginning at the Beaver Creek Recreation Site, the trail leads through fern encrusted cedar forests. The lake is teeming with kokanee, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and mackinaw.

Northern Idaho is an outdoorsman's paradise. The number of activities is endless. A day can start before sunrise and finish well after dark. The clear water of the rivers, lakes, and streams invite anglers, or those looking for a quick dip. The trails meander through verdant forests packed with flora and fauna for every visitor to see. Historical sites illustrate the Native American and French influence in the region. The Panhandle area of Idaho is a visual feast. How big is your appetite?