Idaho Travel Council | Page 81

which was known as the “Farragut Naval Training Station” during World War II. The lake is also home to many species of fish, including rainbow trout, lake trout, perch, crappie, bass, whitefish and kokanee. A great place for a family vacation. Old Mission State Park PO Box 30 Cataldo, ID 83810 (208) 682-3814 Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce 900 N. Fifth Ave. Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 263-0887 Panhandle National Forest This 5,300-acre ridgeline park is dedicated to pioneer women and the hardships they endured. One of the park’s highlights is an 18-mile skyline drive on unimproved roads that provide spectacular views of the rolling Palouse country and access to 32 miles of multi-purpose trails. Facilities include a group day-use shelter, primitive camping and picnic areas along the road. The road is not recommended for RVs and may be too rough for your family car. McCroskey State Park 1291 Chatcolet Rd. Plummer, ID 83851 (208) 686-1308 Mineral Ridge Hiking Trail, Coeur d’Alene Construction of the Mineral Ridge Trail began in 1963 and it was designated as a National Recreation Trail in 1982. Considered one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world, this site is a day use picnic area and trailhead. Rising 700 feet in elevation, this scenic trail offers hikers lofty overlooks and spanning vistas. Moyie Falls, Bonners Ferry Moyie Falls is a spectacular waterfall locked tightly within the canyon walls of the Moyie River. The falls are a breathtaking cascade of white thunder and spraying mist. The Moyie Bridge hovers between the canyon walls, suspended 450 feet over the water. This 80-mile drive along the river follows two-lane paved highways as it traverses the Purcell Trench and winds up at Cabinet Gorge on the Montana border. This is a great place for a leisurely drive and sightseeing. Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce 7195 Hwy 95 Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 (208) 267-5922 Old Cataldo Mission, CaTaldo The Mission of the Sacred Heart the oldest standing building in Idaho, located in Old Mission State Park. Also known as Cataldo Mission, it was built between 1848 and 1853 by members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Catholic missionaries. The park also has a restored parish house next door to the mission and an historic cemetery. The visitor center includes an interpretive exhibit on the area and the Coeur d’Alene Indians. A walking audio tour tape is available. This is a great place to reflect on Idaho’s past. www.IDAHOTravelCouncil.com Silverwood Theme Park The Northwest’s largest theme park, Silverwood has more than 65 rides and attractions. “Aftershock” is a 191-foot tall steel roller coaster that travels forward and backwards through a cobra loop at speeds up to 65 miles per hour. After your ride, cool off in the Boulder Beach Water Park, the largest and most advanced of its kind in the Northwest with a giant wave pool and a 650foot water slide. The park is just 20 minutes north of Coeur d’Alene. Silverwood Theme Park 27843 N. Hwy 95 Athol, ID 83801 (208) 683-3400 Twin Lakes For the intrepid, and those with strong legs, the Twin Lakes are unspoiled and crystal clear and hold rainbow and cutthroat trout. Getting there is half the fun as you wander through spectacular scenery enjoying the fresh air and abundant wildlife. Hiking, biking, swimming, boating, horseshoes, croquet, campfires—seems like you’re at camp in the middle of nowhere, but you’re only minutes from it all. Coeur d’Alene and Spokane are only 35 minutes away! This is a great get-away close to town. Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce 8184 Main St. Rathdrum, ID 83858 (208) 687-2866 Wild Waters Theme Park Wild Waters features slides, pools, a hot tub, and a new paddle boat lagoon and water toy playland. Group rates and season passes are available. The facility is also available for private parties in the evening. A covered pavilion seats 250-300 people. Wild Waters Theme Park 2119 N. Government Way Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 (208) 667-6491 79 region 8: northern McCorsley State Park The Idaho Panhandle National Forest has about 2.5 million acres of public lands within “the panhandle” of northern Idaho that extends into eastern Washington and western Montana. The Panhandle National Forest has mountain tops, clear lakes, rivers, waterfalls, ancient cedar groves and all kinds of wildlife. The area is an outdoor recreation paradise with activities ranging from skiing, boating and hiking to camping, fishing and bird watching. Many of these recreation activities center on water, not surprisingly on lakes Pend Oreille and Coeur d’Alene, the largest bodies of water in the area. Many other rivers and streams fill the countryside and offer just about every kind of outdoor activity imaginable. Whether it’s the solitude of a mountain meadow or the quaint cottage by a mountain lake, you’ll always find it nearby. This is a great place for nature photographers.