Top 20 Lakes in Idaho

Idaho's lakes are renowned for their diverse natural landscapes, ranging from vast, deep bodies of water to serene alpine settings. Many were shaped by glaciers during the last Ice Age and are nestled within majestic mountain ranges like the Cabinet, Coeur d'Alene, and Selkirk Mountains. This geography provides a wide array of features and activities, from deep, clear waters to vibrant resort towns and remote wilderness experiences.

Several Idaho lakes offer excellent family-friendly options. Quinn's Pond in Boise is a scenic spot for paddleboarding, swimming, kayaking, and fishing in a family-friendly environment. Coeur d'Alene City Park and Beach provides a swim beach, basketball courts, picnic shelters, and sand volleyball. Lucky Peak Lake, near Boise, also has a swimming area at Sandy Point and picnic facilities at Discovery Park. Redfish Lake and Payette Lake are also popular for family recreation with swimming and paddling opportunities.

Yes, many lakes in Idaho are surrounded by extensive trail networks. For cycling, the 72-mile paved Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes weaves along portions of Lake Coeur d'Alene, offering scenic rides. You can find various cycling routes in the region by exploring the Cycling in Idaho guide. For hiking, Tubbs Hill Main Trail near Lake Coeur d'Alene offers coastline views and tree cover. The Sawtooth National Recreation Area, home to Redfish Lake and Stanley Lake, provides numerous hiking trails. Discover more hiking options in the Hiking in Idaho guide.

Lake Pend Oreille is Idaho's largest and deepest lake, and the fifth-deepest in the United States, reaching depths between 1,150 to 1,158 feet. Located in the panhandle, it's a popular destination for boating, sailing, and trophy fishing. Visitors can also enjoy cruises, seaplane tours for aerial views, and rentals for powerboats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards along its extensive shoreline.

Priest Lake, often called 'Idaho's crown jewel,' is known for its exceptionally clear water. Surrounded by majestic mountain peaks in northern Idaho, you can often see pale stones and submerged logs in the shallows. It's an ideal spot for those seeking a more remote experience for fishing, boating, and finding secluded spots along its diverse shoreline.

Henrys Lake in eastern Idaho is renowned for its excellent fishing, particularly for brook, cutthroat, and other trout species. Lake Cascade is well-stocked with smallmouth bass, trout, and kokanee salmon. Lake Pend Oreille is also a popular spot for trophy fishing, and Lucky Peak Lake offers good fishing for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and kokanee.

Yes, Bear Lake, straddling the Idaho-Utah border, is famous for its spectacular turquoise color, earning it the nickname 'Caribbean of the Rockies.' Redfish Lake, at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains, offers a postcard-perfect setting with stunning panoramas and gets its name from the sockeye salmon that once swam there in abundance. Stanley Lake also provides iconic views with rugged peaks and dense forests as its backdrop.

Idaho's lakes are rich in wildlife. Henrys Lake is an exceptional spot for birdwatching, with frequent sightings of white pelicans, trumpeter swans, great blue herons, bald eagles, and red-tailed hawks. The Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge on the Idaho side of Bear Lake is home to diverse wildlife, including sandhill cranes, white-faced ibis, swans, geese, moose, mule deer, and muskrats. Priest Lake, with its remote setting, also offers opportunities for spotting various wildlife.

The summer months are generally the most popular time to visit Idaho's lakes, as the weather is ideal for swimming, boating, and paddling. Early mornings in summer offer calm waters and soft light, perfect for paddling. While some high-altitude lakes like Henrys Lake are cold year-round, many offer refreshing swimming in summer. Fall brings beautiful foliage, and some lakes offer winter activities like snowmobiling and ice fishing.

Priest Lake, located near the Canadian border, offers a wilder, more remote experience, perfect for those seeking privacy and a true wilderness lifestyle. Its clear waters are surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and dense forest. Redfish Lake and Stanley Lake, both within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, also provide stunning natural settings that feel more secluded, especially for activities like paddling and hiking.

Many of Idaho's popular lakes offer amenities. The resort town of Coeur d'Alene at the northern end of Lake Coeur d'Alene provides a vibrant atmosphere with a downtown boardwalk, dining options, and the iconic floating green. The town of Sandpoint sits at the northwest end of Lake Pend Oreille. Lake Cascade State Park offers over 2,000 campsites and various facilities. Coeur d'Alene City Park and Beach has picnic shelters, grills, and drinking fountains. Redfish Lake Marina also provides facilities.