North Idaho Centennial Trail Connects Coeur d'Alene to Washington State Line

Stretching roughly 23 miles across Kootenai County, the North Idaho Centennial Trail traces one of the region's most compelling natural corridors: from the quiet eastern end of Lake Coeur d'Alene, along the lake's north shoreline, and then west along the Spokane River to the Idaho-Washington state line. Whether you walk, jog, or cycle, the trail functions as both a transportation spine and a scenic route through the heart of North Idaho.

Where the trail begins and ends

The eastern terminus sits at Higgins Point, located six miles east of Coeur d'Alene at the end of Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive. The point sits on the northeast side of Lake Coeur d'Alene and is noted — though without definitive sourcing — as a gathering spot for bald eagle watchers during early winter. From there, the trail runs along the lake's north shoreline before picking up the Spokane River corridor and heading west through Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls to the Idaho-Washington border.

At the state line, the trail connects directly to the Spokane River Centennial Trail, which continues westward through Riverfront Park and on to Nine Mile Boat Launch in Nine Mile Falls, Washington, adding another 39 miles of paved trail for those who want to keep riding or walking into Spokane County. The two trails together form one of the longest continuous paved trail systems in the Inland Northwest.

A note on mileage: the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation, the City of Coeur d'Alene, the City of Post Falls, and most operational sources consistently describe the trail as 23 miles long. That figure was used formally in 2017 when the city received grant funding to repair and seal-coat the full route. Some sources list the trail as 24 miles. For planning purposes, the 23-mile figure reflects how managing agencies count and maintain the route.

What the trail looks and feels like

The trail is fully paved and classified as Class I and Class II, meaning it is surfaced and designed for non-motorized use year-round. Cyclists, joggers, walkers, and photographers all share the path. Rest areas and interpretive signs are spaced along the route, and the trail follows well-marked back streets through Coeur d'Alene where it moves away from the waterfront.

In Coeur d'Alene, the trail passes through the North Idaho College campus. It also passes the Lewis and Clark State College campus as it moves through the region. A Centennial Trail monument stands at Independence Point by Lake Coeur d'Alene, functioning as both a landmark and a sponsorship opportunity — donors can use it to honor individuals or establish memorials.

At Riverstone, the trail intersects with the Prairie Trail, offering an additional route option for those exploring that mixed-use development corridor. At its western end, in addition to connecting to the Spokane River Centennial Trail, it links to the Liberty Lake Stateline Trail.

History and maintenance

In 1999, then-First Lady Hillary Clinton designated the North Idaho Centennial Trail a Millennium Trail, placing it among a select group of paths recognized for their cultural and recreational significance nationwide.

The trail has undergone substantial upkeep since that designation. In 2017, the City of Coeur d'Alene, working in conjunction with Kootenai County, the City of Post Falls, and the Centennial Trail Foundation, received a Recreational Trails Program Grant. According to the city, "the grant allowed us to repair and seal-coat all 23 miles of the trail," addressing surface wear across the full corridor.

Operation and maintenance today remains a cooperative effort among five entities: the City of Coeur d'Alene, the City of Post Falls, Kootenai County, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation. That shared governance model has kept the trail functional and accessible without placing the full burden of maintenance on any single municipality.

The North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation

The North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation, a nonprofit based in Coeur d'Alene, plays a central role in the trail's ongoing development. Beyond supporting maintenance and capital improvements to the existing corridor, the foundation also works to expand the trail network by supporting new trail development across Kootenai County.

The foundation's Sponsor-A-Mile program allows businesses and organizations to contribute directly to trail upkeep. For information about that program, contact Theresa MacLennan at (208) 292-1634. The foundation can also be reached by mail at P.O. Box 5163, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816, or by email at tabitha@nictf.org.

Tim Keaty, the foundation's president and board member, has described the stakes plainly: "Donating to the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation makes a huge impact and a visible difference. Your donations raise funds to maintain, beautify and build on the very trail you enjoy. Every life enriched by the Centennial Trail is done through donations to our nonprofit foundation."

Upcoming events

The foundation hosts several annual fundraising and community events that bring trail users together. For 2025, the calendar includes:

• Ales for the Trail: August 16, 3-8 p.m. at Coeur d'Alene City Park, featuring beer, wine, live music, games, and a raffle. All proceeds benefit the NICTF.
• Riverstone Block Party and Brewfest: September 13, held on Main Street in Riverstone.
• Coeur d'Fondo: September 20, a cycling event following a course along Lake Coeur d'Alene with chip timing, food stations, and an after-party.

These events serve double duty as community celebrations and as the primary fundraising mechanisms that keep the foundation operational between grant cycles.

How to access the trail and find maps

Printed maps of the Centennial Trail are available at the Coeur d'Alene Parks office, the Post Falls Parks office, and the visitor centers in both Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls. The North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation also offers a downloadable PDF map and an activity guide through its website. For those starting from the Coeur d'Alene side, the City of Coeur d'Alene provides a directional map to the Seltice Way Trailhead as well as overview maps covering the Coeur d'Alene portion, the full North Idaho trail, and the combined North Idaho and Spokane River Centennial Trails corridor.

The trail is open all year. Given its paved surface and the mild shoulder seasons North Idaho experiences, spring and fall rides along the lake's north shoreline rank among the most rewarding outings in the county. Early winter at Higgins Point draws those hoping to spot bald eagles along the lake, though that reputation rests on local knowledge more than documented wildlife data.

For a trail of its length, the North Idaho Centennial Trail remains remarkably accessible: no fees, no permits required for casual use, and multiple points of entry across Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls. Its 1999 Millennium Trail designation, the 2017 resurfacing grant, and the ongoing work of the NICTF reflect decades of deliberate investment in keeping this corridor open, smooth, and connected to something much larger than any single city or county can maintain alone.