Blackwell Island

Located at the confluence of the Spokane River and Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho, near the city of Coeur d'Alene, Blackwell Island - also known as Blackwell Island RV Park, Blackwell Island Recreation Site, or BLM’s Blackwell Island Recreation Site - has a small beige hard-packed sand beach.  It is privately owned and managed as a marina and RV park spread over 34 acres, offering various recreational options to visitors.  The island is surrounded by lush green forests, including wildflowers, ferns, and ancient oak trees, offering spectacular views.  It is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty, flora, and fauna.

Blackwell Island offers many amenities, including seasonal lifeguards, a large marina with over 700 boat slips, four boat launches, several restaurants, a beach equipment rental facility, picnic shelters, picnic tables, a garden, hiking trails, paid group picnic pavilions, and a well-equipped RV park with 182 sites.

Blackwell Island offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, RV camping, walking, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, picnicking, and photography.  If you plan to go into the water, it is a naturally sheltered bay, making it a safe swimming area.  The water near the beach is shallow, which is ideal for small boats.  If you want to enjoy boating, fishing, and other summer recreation activities, the four Blackwell Island boat launches provide public access to the Spokane River and Lake Coeur d’Alene. 

Anglers may catch a wide variety of fish, including rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon, brown trout, cutthroat trout, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass.  The island has designated picnic areas with tables, benches, and BBQ grills, ideal for family outings.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  If you enjoy camping, Blackwell Island RV Park Coeur d'Alene offers a well-equipped RV park with 182 sites and spacious pull-through sites that can accommodate large RVs, motorhomes, and trailers, providing facilities like full hookups, Wi-Fi, restrooms, a picnic area, water, cable TV, laundry services, showers, fire pits, propane, a mini-store, and a rally room.

The marina and RV park often host events, such as fishing tournaments, boat shows, and social gatherings.  The beach is known for its panoramic views of Lake Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding mountains, which make it a famous spot for taking the best Blackwell Island Recreation Site photos.  Blackwell Island offers amazing opportunities for snow sports activities, including snowshoeing and ice fishing in the winter.  Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash, and the beach is open from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Blackwell Island offers an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Blackwell Island is easy - the beach has a paid parking lot located at 867 S Marina Drive, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814, United States, which provides easy access to the beach.  

It is worth noting that Blackwell Island is open from just before Memorial Day Weekend to mid-October due to fluctuating river water levels. Visitors have to pay fees of $6 per day, or you can buy a seasonal pass for $40.

The island is named after John M. Blackwell, an early settler in the area who played a significant role in the development of Coeur d'Alene.

There are many attractions near Blackwell Island.  Cougar Bay Nature Preserve is spread over an 88-acre preserve located near Coeur d'Alene Lake that features a variety of habitats, including wetlands, forests, and meadows.  Its diverse ecosystem supports an array of wildlife, where you may spot eagles, ospreys, herons, and a variety of other bird species, making it a prime spot for nature enthusiasts.  The Museum of North Idaho aims to preserve and showcase the rich history and cultural heritage of northern Idaho through intriguing exhibits, artifacts, photographs, documents, guided tours, and educational programs.  It offers interesting insight into the history of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, the impact of the railroads, the significance of steamboats on Lake Coeur d'Alene, and the development of the local timber industry.  Tubbs Hill is a 120-acre lakefront park, providing a network of well-maintained hiking trails that wind through diverse landscapes, including dense forests, rocky outcrops, and beautiful vistas.  The main loop trail around Tubbs Hill is about 2 miles long and offers hikers Instagram-worthy views, opportunities for wildlife viewing, and access to several secluded coves along the lake.  It also features interpretive signs along the trails, providing information about the local flora, fauna, and geological history.  Fernan Park is a small park surrounded by lush green forest along the serene Fernan Lake, where visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the calm waters of the lake.  In addition, there are several picnic tables and shelters, a boat launch, and walking trails, providing a peaceful retreat for those looking to enjoy the outdoors in a more relaxed setting.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction,  Seven Stars Alpaca Ranch is a family-owned ranch that offers an opportunity to interact with a herd of alpacas and learn about these fascinating animals.  Visitors can enjoy guided tours that provide insights into the habits and care of the alpacas and the process of turning alpaca fleece into luxurious fiber products.  The ranch also features a gift shop where visitors can purchase a variety of alpaca wool items, such as clothing, accessories, and handmade crafts.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Blackwell Island.  Beverly's is an upscale lakefront restaurant that serves chef-special, pre-designed meals.   Wolf Lodge Inn Restaurant is another upscale restaurant that serves amazing salads, steaks, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Shiki Sushi Bar & Japanese Grill serves amazing salads, sushi, sashimi, nigiri, seafood, meat, poultry, vegan, and vegetarian dishes.  Midtown Bluebird serves amazing salads, steaks, pork, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  The Mexican Food Factory serves incredible burritos, tacos, tamales, enchiladas, nachos, tostadas, seafood, and meat dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant nearby, China Inn Restaurant serves incredible noodles, fried rice, rolls, wontons, soups, pork, meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for hotels in Blackwell Island, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Blackwell Hotel is eight minutes away by car and offers a few amenities, including hot tubs, a gazebo, a pool table, a game and movie room, a bar, and a dining room.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star The Coeur d'Alene Resort, which has many amenities, including an indoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, hot tubs, a golf course, bars, and many restaurants.  Another moderately priced option is the 3-Star The Roosevelt Inn, which has many amenities, including a hot tub, a sauna, sunloungers, a garden, and a dining room.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star SpringHill Suites Coeur d'Alene, which offers several amenities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a restaurant, and complimentary breakfast.   If you are looking for another affordable hotel, the 3-Star La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coeur d'Alene offers a few amenities, including a hot tub, an indoor pool, a fitness room, and a dining area.