Best Tent Camping near Coeur d'Alene, ID
Tent camping opportunities near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho range from established lakeside sites to remote forest locations with minimal amenities. Lakes Divide Road offers primitive tent sites on Forest Service land, while Mica Bay Boater Park provides tent camping areas that must be reached by boat, hiking in, or parking nearby and walking to the sites. Breakwater Campground along a tributary of the Coeur d'Alene River caters specifically to tent campers looking for a more rustic experience.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities, with fire pits available at Breakwater and Extraordinary Camping sites, though fire bans may be in effect during dry summer months. Many locations lack potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Vault toilets exist at some locations, including Mica Bay, but others have no facilities whatsoever. Sites along Lakes Divide Road are accessible by vehicle, though the forest road is steep. A camper observed that it is "a steep but well maintained forest road" with clear pull-offs for camping.
The tent camping experience around Coeur d'Alene offers excellent water access and natural settings. Morning views of mist rising over lakes and mountains reward those willing to brave the primitive conditions. Areas like Breakwater Campground provide both recreation and solitude, with good fishing opportunities in the adjacent waterways. Green Bay Campground, though temporarily closed in 2024, has historically offered excellent water access for tent campers willing to hike in. Primitive backcountry tent sites throughout the region provide opportunities for deeper wilderness immersion. According to a review of Breakwater Campground, "This campground stretches along a tributary of the CdA river, and there is great tent camping and fly fishing."