Calling all kayakers and RV travelers: we spent the last four days paddling, playing, and camping in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. We’re here to spill the details on where we stayed, the pros & cons of our CDA RV park experience, and whether it was worth it for recreational vehicle camping fans…

Why RV camp?

RV camping offers the perfect blend of comfort and adventure. We love to tent camp as well, but with kids, a pup, and all the seasonal weather fluctuations here in the PNW, we do appreciate the the freedom to travel with the convenience of home-like amenities (like air conditioning, a little kitchen, and a bathroom).

I grew up in a big family, and camping with tents and a traveling trailer was a big part of my childhood. We often camped throughout the west for weeks at a time, and it’s one of the reasons I fell in love with the Great Outdoors from such a young age (all unplugged too, those were the days…)

While it’s not for everyone, RV parks in Idaho (and beyond) can be an excellent lodging choice for families, solo travelers, dog owners, and anyone seeking a flexible, immersive, and budget-friendly way to experience Pacific Northwest wildlife and nature up close.

How to rent an RV

If you don’t own an RV, plenty of legitimate, affordable businesses and owners now offer up their recreational vehicles for rent, so it’s a great way to try one out first before you make the commitment to buy one. Some rental options we’ve heard about (but haven’t tried personally) include Cruise America, Outdoorsy, and Escape Camper Vans.

[Related reading: Oru folding kayaks in a 2023 Winnebago Revel 4x4 camper van].

Top reasons to visit Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

We recently returned from a 3-nights, 4-days at an RV park in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (often shortened to “CDA” by Pacific Northwesterners). Here are some top reasons why CDA should be on your PNW region travel bucket list:

1. Stunning scenery: Nestled among mountains and forests, Coeur d'Alene is known for its breathtaking landscapes (including its famed, massive, sparkling lake).

2. Outdoor activities: From kayaking on Lake Coeur d'Alene to hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and golfing, there's no shortage of activities for outdoor lovers.

3. Cultural attractions: Enjoy local art galleries, museums, and historic sites, as well as great local food spots.

4. Festivals and events: The city of CDA hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, including the Coeur d'Alene Ironman and the Christmas Lighting Ceremony. We highly enjoyed the Blackwell Island Independence Days festivities.

Stay, paddle & play a Coeur d’Alene RV park

If you’re looking for more luxurious accommodations, there’s no shortage of beautiful hotels and resorts on Lake Coeur d’Alene (including a famous hotel with a golf hole on an island in the lake).

But if you want the RV camping experience, and are traveling to CDA on a budget, an RV park can be a great alternative to traditional lodging – especially for kayakers that want to bring their own gear and be close to the water. And don’t have your own kayak to bring? They offer on-site rentals, which is a convenient bonus!

1. Prime location: Situated on Blackwell Island, right along the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene and Spokane River, you’ll have easy access to water activities and scenic views. We sat in our chairs along the waterfront for hours on end, played in the water, and launched our Oru folding kayak from the beach and dock.

2. Paddling routes: One of the things I really liked about our Blackwell Island RV park from a kayaking perspective is the opportunity to paddle different routes. One day I ventured out to Lake Coeur d’Alene, exploring the open water along the shoreline and scoping out the beaches and kayak rental areas, and then another day I paddled around Blackwell Island. This is a really cool, one-hour paddling experience up the Spokane River and then around the island, in a back channel that is not accessible for motorboats. You get the best of lake kayaking and river kayaking from one spot! More on this later in this article.

3. Family-friendly: Safe and secure environment with activities for all ages. We stayed at Blackwell Island RV Park over the long Fourth of July weekend, and it was packed with families, which made it fun for our kids to meet and play with others. It felt very safe.

4. Convenience: Proximity to downtown Coeur d'Alene, restaurants, shops, and attractions. The CDA RV park we stayed at was only a 10-minute drive to downtown. But we also walked over (an easy 10-minute walk) to the nearby floating restaurant, Cedars Restaurant (get the scallops and clam chowder, get a reservation at sunset, and thank me later!).

5. Community atmosphere: Friendly staff and fellow campers enhance the stay. Is it just Idaho? Or CDA? Because everyone was SO friendly, while also being respectful of privacy.

About Blackwell Island RV Park

We booked an RV sit at well-known Coeur d’Alene RV camping spot, Blackwell Island RV Park. This family-owned and operated business (since 1998!) offers over 180 spacious RV sites, each equipped with full hookups, including water, sewer, and 30/50 amp electricity. FYI: Our review is unsponsored – we were fully paying guests.

RV sites and amenities

Any RV traveler knows, site size and location matter. Blackwell Island RV Park features pull-through sites that can accommodate large rigs and slide-outs. Our recreational vehicle is a Winnebago EKKO Class C model that can easily pull through spots, which gave us more flexibility in booking our RV site at Blackwell Island.

But there are different options to accommodate the wide variety of RV's out there –we saw dozens of types of RV campers and sprinter vans, from lots of Class A trailers (the biggest RV’s on the road), Class B (think Sprinter vans), Class C (like ours), travel trailers (Airstream, T@b models), and fifth-wheels towed on pick-up trucks.

If you visit the Blackwell Island RV Park website (which is very dated, but sufficient with information to reserve a spot), there’s more information about their sites. Here is their park map. We stayed at a “Gazebo” site, near the water. It was easy to back in our Winnebago Ekko and we loved being close to the river and lake.

Blackwell Island RV Park amenities include:

• Wi-Fi Access: Complimentary high-speed internet – so says the website. But I’ll note, however, that it’s spotty and works best from a designated “Wifi Room” on the property. It was not consistent or strong from our Blackwell Island CDA RV campsite, so don’t expect to stream anything on your devices or work remotely while being consistently connected to the Internet.

• Laundry facilities: On-site, coin-operated laundry. We didn’t use them, but saw lots of folks taking advantage of this facility.

• Restrooms and showers: Clean and well-maintained. There were a few different zones to accommodate this busy Idaho RV park. They were frequently used but regularly cleaned.

• Recreational activities: A private beach, boat launch, and kayak rentals. The beach was very popular and offered great swimming – bring those inflatables! You can also rent a small pontoon boat at the Blackwell RV park office. Our kids (and lots of other families) enjoyed using the volleyball net and large gray area for soccer games, badminton, and more sports activities (bring all the balls and games). Don’t forget your bikes, sunscreen, and bug spray too.

• Easy flatwater paddling access: We brought two folding kayaks on our trip, an Oru Inlet in Green Edition and an Oru Inlet Sport in Black. It was really easy to launch and land on Blackwell Island from either the dock or swimming beach (we did both). My husband also brought his Blackfin stand-up paddle board.

• Pet-friendly: Dedicated pet areas and a welcoming environment for pets. We brought our dog Boomer along with us, and he had a great time! There’s a little dog beach, and all the pet owners were very respectful, keeping their dogs on leashes (required - even when at an RV camp site) and picking up after their pets.

Seasonal information and RV park pricing

• Season: Open from mid-April to mid-October, catering to both short-term and seasonal campers. We enjoyed our stay in early July.

• Pricing: Rates vary depending on the season and site type, with nightly rates typically ranging from $40 to $70. Weekly and monthly rates are available for extended stays.

Rules and regulations

• No fireworks: Fireworks are not allowed in the park. However they had an epic July Fourth family-friendly fireworks display, right from the park! It was the best view from the comfort of our own campsite. Also you can see the official city fireworks over the lake view from the RV park.

• Quiet hours: Observed from 10 PM to 8 AM to ensure a peaceful environment for all guests. I would say this was mostly followed, but not entirely.

• Pet policies: Pets must be leashed, and owners are required to clean up after them.

• RV standards: Only well-maintained RVs are permitted to ensure the park's aesthetic appeal and safety.

For more details and a full, updated list of Coeur d’Alene RV park amenities, rules, pricing, and reservations, visit their official website at Blackwell Island RV Park.

Paddling around Blackwell Island in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Starting from the Blackwell Island RV Park beach, paddlers can enjoy a serene journey around the island via the Spokane River and Lake Coeur d’Alene, encountering local wildlife and stunning natural beauty along the way. For guests staying at Blackwell Island RV Park, you’re already set up for an excellent starting point for your paddling journey. Launch from a beach or dock.

How to paddle around Blackwell Island

Here’s what we did: we chose to kayak and SUP counter-clockwise around Blackwell Island from the RV park beach. As you set off from the sandy waterfront, the initial stretch takes you along the Spokane River, past the well-kept grounds of the RV park. The water is typically calm (especially in the morning hours), making it an ideal starting point for beginners and a relaxing beginning for more experienced paddlers.

Be highly aware of motorboats, however! There is a lot of boat traffic and waves (even in low wake zones) as recreational boaters make their way from the CDA public boat launch towards Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Scenic views and wildlife

As you continue, you’ll paddle under a big bridge/overpass, and stunning waterfront houses will be in view on the rightside. Don’t pass all the houses! On the left you’ll encounter a narrow channel of water and see docks and likely boats accessing the water – this is the left turn to go around Blackwell Island. You’ll follow the calm water past the public boat launch, and see a sign that says “no motor boats allowed.” This is where the river channel becomes quite charming and accessible only by kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards.

Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including bald eagles, herons, and various waterfowl. The island's vegetation and tranquil beaches provide excellent opportunities for bird watching and photography.

Navigating the narrows

This calm, narrow passages of calm water was my favorite part of the kayaking journey. The overhanging trees provide shade and create a serene atmosphere perfect for a leisurely paddle. There were lots of swimmers, dogs, and even people swinging from a rope swing into the refreshing cool water.

The marina and lake loop back

As you approach the final stretch of your journey, you’ll enter into a very busy marina. This could be a turning point to U-turn back the way you came, or a little over halfway on the journey to complete the full loop.

Be highly aware of boats, always playing it safe that they may not see you. Follow safety and marina rules. While not as peaceful as the first part of the paddle, this is an interesting loop back because of the unique nature of Hagadone Marina (imagine a multi-level parking garage, but with boats, and giant machines that lift and load them. A boat warehouse, almost, and totally visible to the public).

As I mentioned before, I was raised in a sailboat family and love the smells and sights of a marina. There were so many interesting boat varieties and designs, especially pontoon boats.

As you paddle through the marina, you’ll see the exit to the busy lake. Boat wakes and waves will increase, so I recommend this route back to the RV park for intermediate paddlers who have the right type of vessel and paddling technique know-how to support a safe journey back.

I took a left here, hugging the shoreline, and talked to many friendly folks at the marina who were hanging out in their boats. The route continues around The Cedars restaurant, all the way counter-clockwise back to the Blackwell Island RV park dock.

About Flatwater Kayak Club

Flatwater Kayak Club is a leading online platform dedicated to supporting beginner and intermediate kayakers in the Pacific Northwest. Our company founder, a former writer for The National Geographic Channel and a current ACA member, guides our mission with her passion for kayaking, nature, and storytelling.