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Tested in North Idaho

Gear Guides for
North Idaho's Outdoors

We paddle the lakes, hike the trails, and fish the rivers of North Idaho's panhandle. Our honest, locally-tested gear recommendations help you get outside with the right equipment.

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Popular Locations

Coeur d'Alene

9 activities

Coeur d'Alene sits on the shore of one of the most beautiful lakes in the American West. With 135 miles of shoreline, world-class fishing, and the iconic Tubbs Hill trail system right downtown, it's the outdoor hub of North Idaho.

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Sandpoint

10 activities

Sandpoint is a charming mountain town nestled between Lake Pend Oreille and the Selkirk Mountains. Home to Schweitzer Mountain Resort and surrounded by national forest, it offers year-round outdoor recreation in one of Idaho's most scenic settings.

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Priest Lake

7 activities

Priest Lake is a remote, pristine alpine lake surrounded by old-growth cedar forests in Idaho's northern panhandle. The 19-mile-long lake and its upper basin offer some of the most unspoiled wilderness experiences in the lower 48 states.

summerfall

Hayden Lake

5 activities

Hayden Lake is a peaceful 3,800-acre lake just north of Coeur d'Alene, popular with families and anglers seeking a quieter alternative to its larger neighbor. The clear waters hold bass, perch, and pike, and the surrounding hills offer excellent trail access.

springsummer

Spirit Lake

6 activities

Spirit Lake is a small, scenic community on the shores of its namesake lake in Bonner County. The lake offers good fishing and a quieter pace, while nearby Farragut State Park provides hundreds of acres of trails, camping, and waterfront access on Lake Pend Oreille.

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Lake Pend Oreille

8 activities

Lake Pend Oreille is Idaho's largest and deepest lake, stretching 43 miles with depths exceeding 1,150 feet. Fed by the Clark Fork River, it holds world-record Kamloops rainbow trout and offers everything from secluded coves for kayaking to open water for sailing and wakeboarding.

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Editor's Choice

Top Gear Picks

Premium
$325

YETI Tundra 45 Hard Cooler

4.8
  • Exceptional ice retention — 5+ days in summer heat
  • Nearly indestructible rotomolded construction
  • Bear-resistant when locked with corner locks
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Best Value
$260

Osprey Atmos AG 50

4.7
  • Anti-Gravity suspension spreads weight across hips and back
  • Excellent ventilation on hot climbs
  • Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment
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