Horse trails run throughout northern Idaho's forested terrain, providing access to camping destinations both primitive and developed. Equestrian camping near Coeur d'Alene offers riders direct trail access from dedicated horse camps with corrals. Summer temperatures typically range between 75-85°F during peak season, cooling significantly at night even during July and August. Trail conditions vary with spring moisture levels creating occasional challenges for riders.
What to do
Explore wilderness trails: Riverside State Park Equestrian Campground connects to an extensive trail system suitable for both short and long rides. "This area accesses many miles of hiking/biking/horseback trails along the scenic Spokane River, but the campground itself is reserved for equestrians. There is also an arena, round pen, and trail training course a quarter mile up the road from the campground," notes Gary M.
Practice horse training: The training facilities at Riverside State Park Equestrian Campground provide valuable opportunities for skill development. One camper observed, "It has the most beautiful breath taking sceneries. It also seems like the perfect atmosphere to reallly beable to bond with your horse, so you both can be comfortable while being train together."
Fish mountain streams: Several camping areas provide access to productive fishing spots near horse trails. At Breakwater Campground, "This campground stretches along a tributary of the CdA river, and there is great tent camping and fly fishing. Downside is that there is limited vehicle access to most spots."
What campers like
Spacious camp layouts: Many riders appreciate larger sites that accommodate both horse trailers and camping setups. At Liberty Lake Regional Park, "It was a very great experience camping here the spots are very spacious and fairly quiet and clean. I enjoyed staying here will definitely be coming back to stay again," reports Garrett Alexander F.
Wildlife viewing: The forested areas around Coeur d'Alene support diverse wildlife populations visible from trails. One camper at Liberty Lake Regional Park noted, "We saw moose, owls, pilated woodpecker, and hawks. We were there over July 4th weekend and they had a fireworks display on the beach."
Convenient water access: Lakes and rivers provide water recreation options after trail rides. "The lake is just as beautiful but not the camping part," mentions a long-time visitor to Round Lake State Park Campground. Another camper adds, "The highlight of the trip was definitely the beautiful lake, which provided a serene backdrop for the entire stay."
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Remote horse camping areas often lack reliable communications. At Breakwater Campground, riders should "Be prepared for no cell service. 0 amenities. it's just a place to pitch a tent and have a fire. And it cost nothing."
Reservations essential: Equestrian sites fill quickly during prime riding season. The Kootenai County Fairgrounds offers "Large and Lovely" spaces where "The camp hosts, Dan and Steve, were very friendly. We loved how large the sites and overall area was, so we could back our rig in easily (40ft long x 13.5ft tall)."
Weather preparation: Temperature variations require layered clothing and rain gear. The swimming area at Bonner County Fairgrounds "is ideally situated to explore the breathtaking natural beauty of Pondray and the surrounding area. I took full advantage of the numerous hiking and biking trails nearby, immersing myself in the stunning landscapes."
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities: Round Lake State Park offers family-friendly water recreation. "We had a great time. The park is clean, and well taken care of. We have a favorite spot. We hiked the Round Lake trail. It also was very well maintained."
Educational opportunities: Several parks provide learning experiences for children. "The camp visitor center has a cool place for kids to learn about the wildlife in the area with foot prints in sand, bird calls, samples of the different types of trees and more. They also have boards to rent and games as well."
Trail difficulty options: Trail networks typically include routes suitable for beginning riders. Riverside State Park maintains "many trails for day rides and longer excursions" with clearly marked difficulty levels. "For large groups and/or overflow, permission may be granted for camping in adjacent areas suitable for high lining horses."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RV travelers recommend researching specific site dimensions. At Bonner County Fairgrounds, "Reserve America reservations be sure to check site length. There are a few very short ones. We stayed in site 21 and our 34RLSA filled it up."
Generator management: Some equestrian campgrounds permit generators with time restrictions. "The electrical hookups were reliable, and the availability of potable water and dump stations made it easy to manage my RV's needs" at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.
Water and power setup: Water access points sometimes require longer-than-standard hoses. "Shared water needs a long hose," notes a camper at Bonner County Fairgrounds, while another adds, "There is water and power hookups, and a dump station at the exit."
