The ride down the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene offers residents and visitors stunning views of the water, forested hillsides, and small towns to stop for a bite before getting back on the road. When planning motorcycle rides around Coeur d’Alene, loop through Spokane, WA, for a winding three-hour ride, or make it a leisurely day of riding with several stops.
The Route
Starting in Spokane, take I-90 east 41 miles to Exit 22, turning onto ID-97 S. In Harrison, your approximate halfway point, stop for lunch or keep heading south to merge onto State Highway 3 S. Take Highway 3 five miles into Saint Maries.
Turn west out of Saint Maries on ID-5 W/US-95N to visit the south side of the lake and head back to Spokane. Follow it 37 miles, then turn right in Plummer to follow U.S. Route 95. Take the exit for ID-58 toward Spokane and the Coeur d’Alene Casino and Resort.
In three miles, ID-58W becomes WA-278W as you enter Washington. Follow it five miles, then turn left onto W Emma St. in Rockford. Turn right onto WA-27, following it nearly 11 miles to E Dishman Mica Rd. Turn left onto Sprague Ave. in Dishman, WA, and follow it nearly two miles to merge onto I-90W toward Spokane.
The loop from Spokane around the lake in Idaho and back totals 148 miles and takes approximately three hours and 20 minutes, depending on the traffic. With stops for the shutterbugs and foodies, you could easily stretch the ride over most of the day.
The Sights
Motorcycle rides around Coeur d’Alene offer great scenery of cities, towns, Lake Coeur d’Alene, forests, hills, and a ride through Heyburn State Park. You can also see where the Coeur d’Alene River flows into the lake in Harrison, ID.
Be aware that some road sections don’t offer any shoulder or guard rails, and several areas feature blind curves through dense forests. However, much of the route offers smooth riding over good motorcycle roads.
The Attractions
In the city of Coeur d’Alene, stop to visit the Museum of North Idaho, where you can learn more about the region, including its native history and the influence of logging, steamboats, railroads, and more. The museum is open between April 1st and October 31st, allowing visitors to study local and regional history.
Don’t miss the Coeur d’Alene Convention and Visitor Bureau for recommendations on places to visit, things to do, and places to eat. Then, stop by the Northwest Tattoo Museum to learn more about the history of the last century of tattooing in America. You can even get some fresh ink from an artist at the shop.
For the alcohol aficionado, visit Trickster’s Brewing Company to sample local beers, including pilsners, ales, hefeweizen, and more. If you prefer wine, visit the Coeur d’Alene Cellars winery for live music, wine tasting, and charcuterie and cheese boards. Remember, never attempt to operate a motorcycle while intoxicated.
Finally, don’t miss the Art Spirit Gallery, a 4,000-square-foot space for mixed media artworks by regional artists, including paintings, statues, photographs, and more.
The Eats
In Coeur d’Alene, stop for breakfast at Le Peep for eggs, hashbrowns, French toast, pancakes, coffee, skillet potatoes, and more.
Don’t miss a stop at Collective Kitchen for sandwiches, desserts, chicken fried steak, appetizers, and more.
If you want a hearty breakfast, you can’t miss Michael D’s Eatery. Choose from eggs, biscuits and gravy, hash skillets, omelets, pancakes, and more.
Call Law Tigers for Help With Motorcycle Law in Idaho
When planning your next motorcycle ride around Coeur d’Alene, don’t miss the awesome places to visit.
If you or a loved one need help with a motorcycle accident in Idaho, call Law Tigers at 1-888-863-7216.
