Across The Idaho Border An Hour From Spokane Is A Dazzling Lake With Fishing, Swimming, And Camping

The Pacific Northwest is renowned as an outdoor recreation paradise. Tucked along the Washington-Idaho border, under an hour from downtown Spokane, is a dazzling lake that perfectly fits that description. Although it's not the largest water body in the region, Hayden Lake delivers big outdoor adventure and is an ideal destination for fishing, swimming, camping, and water sports. Even better, these activities can be enjoyed in one of the most breathtaking settings imaginable.

Hayden Lake is a relatively long, narrow, natural lake with an irregular shape and multiple coves and peninsulas. The main part of the lake, which stretches seven miles long, was originally formed by flooding at the end of the last ice age. A dam was added in the early 1900s to maintain consistent water level in the lake throughout the year. Today the lake sprawls across 3,800 acres and is ringed by 40 miles of shoreline. The water in Hayden Lake, which is known for being exceptionally clear, averages 100 feet deep and reaches 185 feet at its deepest point.

The shoreline surrounding the lake is filled with towering pines that are accented by a variety of wildflowers during spring. There is also a number of sandy beaches along the water's edge. Additionally, Coeur d'Alene Mountains, part of Bitterroot Mountain Range, envelope three sides of the lake, providing a picturesque backdrop of mountain peaks upward of 6,000 feet.

Given Hayden Lake is sandwiched between Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho's largest lake surrounded by artsy towns, to the north and the state's second largest lake, Coeur d'Alene Lake, to the south, it's easy to overlook this smaller body of water. However, Hayden Lake has a strong reputation among anglers due to the quality and diversity of fishing, with more than a dozen species of warm- and cold-water fish, including large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, tiger muskie, chinook salmon, and kokanee, as well as rainbow trout, with anglers occasionally catching brook and bull trout.

Although Hayden Lake has a vast shoreline, it doesn't necessarily have a lot of public access for shore fishing, as much of the lakefront is private property. But Hayden Lake Sportsman Park on the north end of the lake has some shore access, as well as dedicated fishing docks. On the opposite end of the lake, there is also shore access and a public fishing dock at Honeysuckle Beach. There is also some shore fishing access for campers at Mokins Bay Campground on the eastern shore. Boating anglers and pleasure boaters have access to public boat ramps at Sportsman Park and Honeysuckle Beach. Hayden Lake Marina also has a launch, as well as slips and boat rentals.

For those looking to take a dip in the cool, clear waters of Hayden Lake, there is Honeysuckle Beach with a dedicated, roped off swim area, which is open and staffed by lifeguards during the summer. There are also picnic areas, as well as changing houses and restrooms just off the beach.

Despite much of the lake being surrounded by private property, there are a number of options for anyone looking to camp near Hayden Lake. Mokins Bay Campground is situated just off the eastern shore of the lake. Although it is not right on the water, Mokins Bay Campground is just a short walk from the lake shore. The campground is open from late May through early September and has 15 non-electric sites. Sites can be reserved ahead of time on Recreation.gov.

There is also a pair of RV parks near the lake. Just over three miles from the western shore is Hayden Lake Eagles RV Park, which has 25 full-hookup sites and is dog-friendly. Alpine Country Store and RV Park is about six to seven miles from both the northern and southern end of the lake. This park is also pet-friendly and has 16 full-hookup, pull-through sites. Another option is to make the 20-mile trek to Farragut State Park. This sprawling state park on the tip of Lake Pend Oreille has extensive camping options, with more than 200 individual campsites, 10 cabins, and 7 group sites.

Getting to Hayden Lake is relatively simple. From Spokane, take I-90 east for about 32 miles to Coeur d'Alene — the "Playground of the Pacific Northwest." Then, head up N 4^th street for five miles and you'll find yourself on the southern end of Hayden Lake. Although there is a small airport in Coeur d'Alene, the nearest commercial airport is Spokane International Airport (GEG).