This Idaho Rail Trail Stretches Over 70 Paved Miles, Perfect For A Family Bike Day
A moose once parked itself in the middle of this paved path and simply refused to move. That’s the kind of traffic jam you get out here.
No cars, no horns, just a very large animal with opinions.
The pavement runs for more than 70 miles across the Idaho Panhandle. It crosses a lake on a bridge longer than half a mile.
It also passes wetlands, farm country, and old mining towns along the way.
I like how the whole thing stays mostly flat. Kids can pedal it.
Grandparents can pedal it. Someone recovering from knee surgery rode a 15-mile stretch and still called it beautiful.
So how far could your family get in a single day? I believe the better question is where you’d want to stop for ice cream first.
Mile Zero Starts Near A Quiet Park Outside Plummer
Every great road trip needs a starting line, and this one begins on the Palouse side of the Idaho Panhandle. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes kicks off at the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Veterans Memorial Park near Plummer.
You’ll find the trailhead on Annie Antelope Road, about 350 feet west of US 95. The official listing gives the area as Plummer, ID 83851, and the park itself has a sculpture and a memorial worth a pause.
From there, the pavement stretches 73.2 miles east to Mullan in the Silver Valley. It passes through Benewah, Kootenai, and Shoshone counties along the way.
That’s three counties without a single car sharing your lane.
The western trailhead offers parking, restrooms, and a bike maintenance area. Those are handy perks before a long day of pedaling.
Mile marker 0 sits roughly a 15-minute easy walk from the parking lot.
One small heads-up applies to the first stretch. Highway noise follows you for about 2 miles before the quiet takes over.
After that, the soundtrack switches to birds, wind, and the hum of your tires.
An Old Railroad Corridor With A Cleanup Story Behind It
Trains rolled through here long before bikes did. Union Pacific built the line in 1886 to serve the silver, lead, and zinc mines of the Silver Valley.
Those mines made the region famous. They also left behind heavy metal contamination along the old rail bed.
When the line was abandoned in the early 1990s, the corridor needed a serious fix.
The solution turned out to be clever. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the EPA, the State of Idaho, and Union Pacific teamed up on a landmark cleanup.
Crews capped the contaminated ground with asphalt, turning a problem into a smooth recreational path.
The trail officially opened in March 2004. Six years later, it landed in the Rails to Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame.
Not bad for a former freight corridor.
Today, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe manage it together. Because of that remediation history, visitors should stay on the pavement and designated areas.
Washing hands before snacks is also part of the routine. Pack wipes, and the kids will barely notice the extra step.
Your Legs Will Thank You For All That Flat Pavement
Trains hated hills, and families get to enjoy the payoff. Railroads needed gentle grades, so the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes stays largely flat for most of its length.
The asphalt is smooth and wide. That makes it friendly for little bikes with training wheels, strollers, and in-line skates.
Walkers and runners fit in just fine too.
There is one catch near the ends. A gradual climb of about 3 percent rises from the water toward both the eastern and western edges.
Starting in Plummer means the first miles roll downhill, which also means a climb on the way back.
Plan your energy with that in mind. Save a snack and some patience for the return trip.
Younger riders may want a parent nearby for encouragement on that final stretch.
The trail also crosses very few roads. That helps riders settle into a steady rhythm without constant stops.
Motorized vehicles stay off the path, though Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed. That’s welcome news for grandparents who’d like a little electric boost.
The Chatcolet Bridge Steals The Show Over Lake Coeur d’Alene
Ask almost any rider about their favorite moment, and the bridge comes up fast. The Chatcolet Bridge stretches about 3,100 feet across the southern end of Lake Coeur d’Alene.
That’s well over half a mile of open water views in every direction. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe manages this iconic structure.
It ranks among the most photographed spots on the entire route.
Kids tend to love the climb up and over. Once you cross, the trail flattens out nicely along the shoreline.
It’s a natural place to stop, stretch, and take a family photo.
The bridge sits within easy reach of Plummer. Many families start near the marina area around mile 7.2 to get to it faster.
Hawleys Landing is another handy spot nearby.
One quick note before heading out. Some parking and boat launch areas near Chatcolet may close temporarily for upgrades.
Check before driving so your plans stay on track.
Honestly, this crossing alone could justify the trip. Everything else along the route feels like a generous bonus after that view.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Moose Along The Wetlands
A mama moose and her calf beside the trail would make any kid forget about snacks. Sightings like that happen in the rich wetland habitat along this route.
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is recognized as an excellent spot for birding and wildlife viewing. Moose live in these marshy areas, especially through the chain lakes region.
Deer show up often too, so early riders should watch the path closely.
Bald eagles soar over the water in some stretches. Geese, turtles, frogs, and chipmunks have all made appearances as well.
A small pair of binoculars could turn a bike ride into a nature scavenger hunt.
Give big animals plenty of room. Moose look calm, but they deserve serious respect and distance.
If one blocks the trail, waiting it out is the smart move.
That’s actually happened before. One rider’s plan to cover the full route ended at the midway point thanks to a moose that wouldn’t budge.
Kids will love that story. Just maybe save it until after they’ve spotted their first deer.
Harrison Makes The Perfect Midday Treat Stop
Ice cream reachable straight from a bike trail sounds like a kid’s dream. In Harrison, it’s simply part of the route.
The lakeside town sits roughly 15 to 16 miles from the Plummer trailhead. That makes it a natural turnaround point for families on a full-day ride.
Riding there and back adds up to around 32 miles.
Harrison has restaurants, an ice cream shop, and several small stores along its main street. There’s also a public beach for anyone ready to cool off.
Bike rentals are available here too.
The ride from Plummer to Harrison is famously scenic. You’ll get the lake, the bridge, and shady patches along the way.
Past Harrison, the trail follows the Coeur d’Alene River for many miles.
Families with younger kids might drive to Harrison instead and start there. Shorter out-and-back rides along the river keep little legs happy.
Then everyone earns their treat at the end.
I can’t imagine a better midpoint for an Idaho day out. Pedal, swim, snack, repeat.
It’s a schedule kids will gladly follow.
Restrooms And Rest Stops Show Up More Often Than You’d Expect
Parents know the real question on any family outing. Where’s the next bathroom?
Luckily, this trail has thought it through.
The route includes 20 developed trailheads and 20 scenic waysides. Each wayside offers picnic tables and benches.
Many stops also have toilets, and some are composting-style facilities.
Spacing varies by section. In some areas, restrooms appear every 3 to 5 miles.
Other stretches can run longer between them, so plan breaks accordingly.
Some stops include bike repair stations as well. That’s a lifesaver if a chain slips or a tire needs air.
The Plummer trailhead has its own bike maintenance area too.
Water is the bigger challenge. Refill spots are limited along the trail, so bring more than you think you’ll need.
Cell service can be spotty too, especially away from highways.
A packed cooler and a picnic plan solve most of that. Grab a wayside table with a lake view and call it lunch.
Kids get a break, adults get a breather, and nobody complains for at least twenty minutes.
Silver Valley Mining Towns Wait On The Eastern End
Head far enough east and the scenery trades lakes for mountains and mining history. The Silver Valley holds the other end of this long Idaho adventure.
Towns like Kellogg and Wallace sit along the eastern stretch. Both offer bike rentals, which helps families who’d rather not haul gear.
The trail finally wraps up in Mullan at 115 Second St.
These communities grew up around the same mines the railroad once served. Riding through them connects the trail to its working past.
It’s a history lesson that doesn’t feel like homework.
Most families won’t cover all 73.2 miles in one day. That’s perfectly fine.
Picking a different section for each visit turns the trail into an ongoing family project.
A Plummer start one weekend could lead to a Silver Valley ride the next. Each end has its own personality.
The west feels open and farm-fringed, while the east tucks between steep mountain slopes.
Collecting every segment might become a summer goal. Kids could even track mile markers on a map.
Bragging rights come free with completion.
Winter Turns The Pavement Into A Snowy Playground
Snow doesn’t shut this trail down. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes stays open year-round, and the official listing shows it open 24 hours.
Winter brings a whole new set of activities. Cross-country skiing is allowed in designated sections.
Snowshoeing works too, giving families a quiet way to explore after a fresh snowfall.
Spring and fall offer their own perks. Cooler air makes longer rides more comfortable for kids.
Summer brings the biggest crowds, but it also means swimming and ice cream stops.
Heat deserves respect in July and August. Hot afternoons can cut rides short fast.
Early mornings tend to be quieter and cooler, with deer often out along the edges.
Wildfire smoke can drift in during late summer some years. Checking air quality before driving is a smart habit.
A clear day makes those lake views pop.
Each season reshapes the trip. The same path can feel completely different from one visit to the next.
That’s a good reason to keep coming back, sled or bike in tow.
A Few Smart Moves Before You Load The Bikes
Good planning beats a meltdown at mile twelve every time. A little prep goes a long way on a trail this long.
Start by choosing your trailhead. Plummer works great for the bridge and lake stretch.
Parking is available at trailheads along the route, so starting farther down is easy too.
Pack plenty of water and snacks. Refill options are limited, and cell coverage can drop out in remote spots.
Sunscreen and layers help as conditions shift.
Bring your own bikes or rent them in Wallace, Kellogg, or Harrison. Rental availability and hours change, so check before driving.
E-bikes in Class 1 and 2 are welcome.
Remember the trail etiquette basics. Stay on the paved path and designated areas.
Wash hands before eating because of the old mining contamination underneath.
Got cyclists who want even more mileage? From Plummer, riders can continue about 10 miles toward the Palouse to Cascades Trail in Washington.
That’s a bold add-on for teens with endless energy.
Most families will happily stick to Idaho. Plenty of trail waits right here.
Why This Paved Ribbon Earns A Spot On Your Calendar
Few outings let a toddler, a teenager, and a grandparent share the same path all day. This one manages it without breaking a sweat, mostly.
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes ranks among the top 25 trails in the nation. It earned that spot with smooth asphalt, gentle grades, and scenery that keeps changing.
Lakes, rivers, wetlands, and mountains all share the route.
Families can tailor the day easily. Some will ride a few miles to the bridge and turn back.
Others will push all the way to Harrison for ice cream and a swim.
The history adds depth too. An old mining railroad became a cleanup success story, then a beloved Idaho playground.
Kids may not care, but adults will appreciate it.
Wildlife sightings bring the surprise factor. Will today be the day you spot a moose?
Nobody knows, and that’s part of the fun.
Pack the cooler, pump the tires, and point the car toward Plummer. The Panhandle has a long, paved invitation waiting.
Seventy-plus miles of it, in fact.
