Explore the Bounty of Northern Idaho

Experience majestic mountains, beautiful lakes, charming towns, and tasty eats on this 6-night road trip itinerary curated by the experts at Peace Vans.

Day 1: Seattle to Cle Elum

Start your journey with a stop in Cle Elum. From humble beginnings as a rugged mining and logging town nestled in the mountains of Central Washington, Cle Elum has evolved into an epicenter of adventure, creativity, and connection. With a charming historic district, some great places to eat and drink, and several hiking trails—Cle Elum is an excellent spot to break up your drive to our eastern neighbor.

Grab a donut at Cle Elum Bakery. Since 1906, the bakery has still used its century-old brick oven to bake French bread and pastries. After your sweet treat, hike on the 250-mile Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. This linear park runs west of North Bend to the Columbia River near Vantage and continues from Lind to the Idaho border. Stop at the South Cle Elum Rail Yard to learn about the thriving railroad scene from a bygone era. Trains heading to the Puget Sound from Chicago stopped here in the early days of the 20th century. Smokey’s BBQ is another highlight of the rail yard.

Central Washington is home to some fantastic wineries. Order a tasting flight of five hand-selected wines at Swiftwater Cellars. Built in the style of a coal mining tipple house, every charming detail of Swiftwater Cellars has been crafted to transport you to another time and place. If you prefer your beverages with hops and malt, stop by Mule & Elk Brewing Co., which serves up everything from traditional English ales to roasty stouts and hoppy IPAs. Head to Orchard for dinner (reservations recommended), a farm-to-table, nose-to-tail, from-scratch kitchen focusing on no waste. With sustainability top of mind, Orchard butchers and dry-ages whole animals, makes their own pasta and bread, and preserves the beautiful bounty the surrounding area offers.

Stay: French Cabin Creek Road

Day 2: Cle Elum to Coeur d'Alene

Day 2: Cle Elum to Coeur d'Alene

We recommend cooking up an early breakfast at your campsite in order to hit the road. It’s time to head for the border … the Idaho border. We’re exploring beautiful Coeur d'Alene. Acquaint yourself with the area by strolling along the nearly one-mile floating boardwalk at Coeur d'Alene Resort. With a marina, a bar, and live music—it’s a fun scene to check out. 

Enjoy a taste of Latin America in Idaho’s panhandle at Cafe Carambola. This colorful little eatery serves up big flavor. Husband and wife, Carlos and Colomba Aguilar, lovingly recreate the foods from their native Mexico and from many other Central and South American countries. 

After lunch, hike the 3.3-mile loop at Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail, boasting outstanding views over Beauty and Wolf Lodge bays of Coeur d’Alene Lake. Read the interpretive signage along the route to learn more about the region’s flora, fauna, and geological history. From November through February, a migrating population of up to 150 bald eagles visit the area to feed on spawning Kokanee salmon, and an interpretive viewing program is offered annually from Christmas through New Year during peak migration. 

If you’ve got some daylight left, explore Cougar Bay Nature Preserve—a rich wetland habitat conserved by The Nature Conservancy with hiking, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife, and bird-watching opportunities. You may even spot a moose here! 

Head to Crafted Tap House + Kitchen for dinner, an industrial-chic gastropub featuring inventive, locally sourced bar bites with an impressive 62 taps for craft brews. 

Stay: Camp Coeur d'Alene (open May 1 to Mid-October)

Day 3: Coeur d'Alene

Start your day at The Garnet Cafe, a local’s favorite breakfast joint featuring classics like stuffed French toast and corned beef hash to the more obscure breakfast spaghetti and duck confit and eggs. 

After filling up, explore Tubb's Hill. Hike the 2-mile loop trail that winds along the shoreline of Lake Coeur d'Alene and through an inland pine forest. If the weather is warm, go for a dip in the refreshingly cool lake after your hike—and if you’re feeling adventurous, there are several small cliffs you can jump from into the water. Conveniently located at the base of Tubb’s Hill, grab a bite at The Buoy Bar & Grill, an outdoor restaurant and bar featuring burgers, sandwiches, salads, fish tacos, frozen cocktails, and craft beer. 

Explore Coeur d'Alene by water and take a cruise on the lake. Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises offers incredible boat tours: brunch, dinner, wine, yoga, fall harvest, holiday-themed, and many more. 

Don’t miss Canfield Mountain Natural Area—24 acres of open space at the edge of town featuring a hiking and mountain biking trail system. 

You’ve likely worked up an appetite. Hit up Trails End Brewery for a refreshing pint and a brick-oven pizza (can you tell we have a soft spot for breweries?!). The brewery also hosts fun events like live music and trivia night.

Stay: Camp Coeur d'Alene (open May 1 to Mid-October)

Day 4: Coeur d'Alene to Sandpoint

Before you head north to Sandpoint, grab a coffee and bite at Coeur d'Alene Coffee Co. They’ve got sweet, savory, and gluten-free breakfast options. We’re big fans of the huckleberry breakfast bread. And you can feel extra good about your purchase—100% of Coeur d'Alene Coffee Co. profits go back to the local community to help sponsor innovation and the team that works in their shop.   

Head to Schweitzer Mountain for year-round adventure. Summer activities include mountain biking, hiking, and ziplining. Winter presents prime conditions for downhill skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and tubing.  

Visit City Beach Organics for healthy and tasty wraps, melts, bowls, salads, and smoothies. They pride themselves on gluten-free and plant-based options. Although, they do offer sustainable meats and dairy additions. Almost all their menu selections are made from scratch, including coconut and almond milk. 

Drive all or a section of the 33-mile Pend Oreille Scenic Byway, offering some of Idaho’s most spectacular water views. Beginning at the intersection with U.S. 95, Idaho 200 meanders eastward to the Montana state line across farmlands, through river deltas, and along the rocky northern shores of Lake Pend Oreille—all sculpted by massive glaciers and floodwaters of Glacial Lake Missoula. Stop at the many pullouts along the byway and enjoy breathtaking vistas of mountains framing miles of open water.

For authentic Thai cuisine, check out Secret Thai Cafe. Get your order and enjoy the views at Sandpoint City Beach Park. Stroll the historic district, view eclectic public art, and enjoy an after-dinner glass of wine at Pend d’Oreille Winery, housed in a 100-year-old brick building. Using traditional French methods and grapes sourced from world-class vineyards around the Northwest, the winery produces award-winning Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Stay: Springy Point Campground

Day 5: Sandpoint to Priest Lake

Priest Lake lies just 30 miles from the Canadian border, nestled below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains. One of Idaho's most iconic natural landscapes, the lake is a whopping 19 miles long and 300 feet deep and surrounded by mile-high mountains. Enjoy the dense cedar, fir, and tamarack forests, and observe whitetail deer, black bears, moose, and bald eagles. The lake is famous for its extremely clear water, fed by streams cascading from the high peaks. A two-mile thoroughfare connects the main lake to the remote Upper Priest Lake, accessible only by foot, mountain bike, or boat.

Stroll around Bishop's Marina and pop into Tyee Coffee + Goods. They serve locally roasted organic coffee, freshly baked pastries, breakfast burritos, and hot grilled sandwiches.

Take a hike on the 5.3-mile Lakeview Mountain Trail—soak up panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains, and wander through forests of alder, pine, and young cedar trees.

Head to Elkin's Resort for boat rentals, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, beach volleyball, and even an 18-hole golf course. Unwind from the day’s adventures at the resort’s lakeside restaurant featuring seafood, steak, pasta, pizzas, wine, cocktails, and craft beer.

Stay: Priest Lake State Park

Day 6: Priest Lake to Seattle

All good things must come to an end. It’s time to head west back to Seattle. Break up your drive with a quick stop in Moses Lake. Stroll the Japanese Peace Gardens or The Great Washington State Birding Trail Coulee Corridor, and grab lunch at Michael’s Market & Bistro.

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