Heyburn State Park, Idaho's oldest state park, sits at 2,140 feet elevation on the southern end of Lake Coeur d'Alene. The park encompasses more than 5,500 acres of marshes, meadows, and forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day and 45-55°F at night, creating ideal camping conditions through the peak season of June through September.
What to Do
Biking opportunities: The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes runs through Hawleys Landing Campground — Heyburn State Park and continues for 72 miles on a paved path. "We biked on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, saw lots of wildlife, and enjoyed the beach at Rocky Point. We Definitely will camp here again!!" notes reviewer Melissa M.
Water activities: Lake Coeur d'Alene offers swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities with dedicated access points. A visitor at Camp Coeur D Alene shares, "We took the paddle boat our for a sunset cruise and it was a very memorable experience! Overall, felt safe and had a great time."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple areas around Plummer provide excellent wildlife watching opportunities. "Eagles and Ice Cream - Our favorite campground🏕, We visit every year! The Trail of the Coeur D'Alene runs through this campground. Biking 🚵♀️the 7 mile ride to Harrison is a great way to spend the day, you cross the lake over a bridge, watching eagles 🦅 swoop over the lake as you ride," says Samantha W. from Hawleys Landing.
What Campers Like
Lake access: Many campgrounds provide direct access to Lake Coeur d'Alene for water sports. A visitor to City of Harrison RV Park & Campground notes, "All sited are riverside. It's at the cutest little town. The Trail of the Coeur d'Alene runs right at your back door. Any water sport you can imagine is right there. Perfect sunsets."
Pet-friendly options: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Plummer allow pets with varying amenities. At Soaring Hawk RV Resort, a camper reports, "Two large dog parks. Park is gravel and you may need to do a little leveling, but it isn't bad at all. Had enough room to park my 44' rig and my truck right next to it."
Free camping alternatives: Budget-conscious travelers can find free dispersed camping options within driving distance. "Easy access only 20 minutes from interstate - quiet except the bird songs and occasional coyotes. No mosquitoes in May but imagine it could be very buggy in summer months since it's next to a river/marsh. Seemed like there was 5-6 spots for car / tent camping," shares Jordan L. about Rainy Hill Campground.
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Mosquito activity varies dramatically by season in wetland areas. A reviewer at Rainy Hill Campground advises, "Camped here one night. Was pretty overall but had a ridiculous amount of mosquitos. Ended up sitting in our tent for a while before sunset because nothing was keeping them away."
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain requiring equipment for RVs. "We got lucky and were in a site that was a bit more level. Noticed a lot of sites are unlevel," notes a camper at Chatcolet Campground.
Reservation requirements: During peak season, securing sites in advance is often necessary. "Stayed on a Friday night and all campsites were in use, so would definitely recommend reserving in advance," advises Hannah M. about camping at Heyburn State Park.
Tips for Camping with Families
Swimming beaches: Family-friendly swimming areas are accessible at several campgrounds. A visitor to Liberty Lake Regional Park states, "There is a clean shower/bathroom building and a beach within walking distance of the campground."
Wildlife encounters: Parents should prepare children for possible wildlife sightings. "While we were there the campground hosts did a fantastic job of keeping everything clean and tidy. Several hiking trails, including an equestrian trail, waterfall, fishing and lots of wildlife. There were deer in the campground every day, we saw moose, owls, pilated woodpecker, and hawks," reports Joel R.
Bicycle-friendly paths: The paved Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is ideal for family riding. "The 7 mile ride to Harrison is a great way to spend the day, you cross the lake over a bridge, watching eagles swoop over the lake as you ride, and finish your day with ice cream at Harrison Creamery and Fudge Factory!"
Tips from RVers
Big rig access: Not all pet-friendly campgrounds near Plummer accommodate large RVs. Soaring Hawk RV Resort offers "spacious, beautiful smell of pine trees. Had enough room to park my 44' rig and my truck right next to it."
Hookup availability: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary between campgrounds. At the Coeur d'Alene Casino, a visitor notes, "The sites are not level. It's a parking lot, but for 20.00 and 50, 30 and 20 amp, great food. Entertainment and game play it is so worth it."
Road conditions: Some access roads may be challenging for larger vehicles. "The road in was kinda sketchy if you are pulling a large RV," warns a camper at Liberty Lake Regional Park.