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Lodgings
AVERY - CALDER - EMIDA - HARRISON - PALOUSE DIVIDE - PLUMMER - ROSE LAKE - ST MARIES - WORLEY
Welcome to the Country South of Coeur d'Alene Idaho
 The waters of the St. Joe, St. Maries, and Coeur d'Alene Rivers, flow out of the mountains and into the southern part of Lake Coeur d'Alene here, before tumbling into the Spokane River west of Coeur d'Alene.
What is there to do?
 The Greater South Lake Coeur d'Alene area is surrounded by expansive public lands, where camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and boating are popular activities in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
Wildlife and beautiful scenery abound. Here is a link to a nice article about camping and activities around the St. Joe National Forest.
Explore by Cycle, Car, Bike
 Cyclists enjoy taking a bike tour on two world-class dedicated recreational trails: the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and the Route of the Hiawatha. Links between these two trails via multi-use roads have been mapped by the Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails to form the 300k Bitterroot Loop. They are working to install more signage and rest areas.
 The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes Unofficial Guidebook: Including the 300k Bitterroot Loop, takes you on a detailed tour of things to do and see in communities along the bike trails. Even if you prefer to do your touring by car or motorcycle, the guide helps you zero in on places to eat, stay, shop, and enjoy yourself. It highlights a variety of amenities, from galleries, museums, and theaters to wine and beer tasting. It's the only tour guide of its kind that covers the greater south Lake Coeur d'Alene area and Silver Valley in north Idaho. Check out our FACEBOOK PAGE to stay up on things to do along the Bitterroot Loop. Scroll down to see exactly where the loop is.
Fish, Float, Boat
Fishermen will find Native Cutthroat, Rainbow, Brook trout, and Mountain whitefish in the St. Joe River.  Catch and release fly fishing is a popular activity along much of this public waterway east of St. Maries, Idaho.
Floating the Joe is a popular past time, and both whitewater and flatwater kayakers are discovering the St. Joe, Coeur d'Alene, and St. Maries Rivers, as well as Lake Coeur d'Alene, Round Lake, and Chatcolet. Powerboaters have been floating their boats here for decades, and they continue to come and enjoy the laid back  marinas on south Lake Coeur d'Alene, where there is live music on weekends throughout the summer.
Sailors also find the wind on the smooth south end of the lake some of the best in the northwest.
Explore. Swim in the lake and rivers. Rent a boat or kayak in Harrison. Go white water rafting. Golf in St. Maries, or at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort's Circling Raven Golf Course in Worley. Dance to live music  at resorts around the lake. Dig for star garnets and fossils near Clarkia, or glide along xcountry ski trails on the Palouse Divide. Catch a performance at the art deco Empire Theater in Tekoa, Washington. It's always fun to stop in at the local cafes or taverns to rub shoulders with the locals for some good old, down home, Idaho backcountry philosphy.
Romantic Getaway
 There are a variety of lodgings from rustic camping cabins to luxurious vacation suites. The picture at right was taken from the porch of the camping cabin at Watson's Rose Lake Resort and is typical of the beauty you will find here. At day's end, you can relax on a deck and enjoy a delightful meal at one of the Greater South Lake Coeur d'Alene restaurants.
Where Exactly is Greater South Lake Coeur d'Alene?
Starting about 15 miles south of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, there is a scenic rural area with some great recreation. Take Hwy 95 south from Coeur d'Alene. It's the main north/south route between Coeur d'Alene and Moscow, Idaho. Or take one of two scenic byways down the east side of the lake: The Lake Coeur d'Alene Scenic Byway (Hwy 97) or the White Pine Scenic Byway, (State Route 3). You can find off ramps to these two scenic byways from I-90 on either side of Fourth of July Pass. The "greater" part comes in with the inclusion of rural communities within a 50-mile swath of the lake - and from the fact that we really do believe it's the best place to be.
The Bitterroot Loop
The Bitterroot Loop is a new network of dedicated cycling trails, multi-use roads, and a 12-mile stretch of state highway. Here is a FREE pdf (398kb) to get you excited about cycling on it.
If starting at the Coeur d'Alene tribal Veteran's Memorial Park in Plummer, you can follow the loop to Heyburn State Park and the town of Harrison, then to Idaho's Silver Valley.  From Wallace, nestled in the foothills of the Bitterroots, ride up to Lookout Pass, (this portion of the loop is not for the out-of-shape) then ride downhill through train tunnels and over tressels on the Hiawatha Trail.
At the bottom of the Hiawatha, cycle to the outpost of Avery, then along the St. Joe River to St. Maries. Cyclists who overnight at the Pines Motel in St. Maries may request a courtesy shuttle back to a trail of the Coeur d'Alenes trailhead. That's because this last stretch requires highway-riding on a rural commuter route with barely any shoulders.
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