Camping Near Coeur d'Alene: Why Harrison Is the Best-Kept Secret on the Lake
Lake Coeur d'Alene stretches across 25 miles of northern Idaho, its deep blue waters framed by forested mountains and rocky shorelines. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in the American West, and for good reason, thousands of visitors come here every summer looking for camping near Coeur d'Alene.
Most of them head straight to the north end of the lake, near the city of Coeur d'Alene itself. The resorts, the downtown strip, the cruise boats -- that is where the crowds go. But experienced campers know something the day-trippers do not: the best camping on this lake is not at the busy north shore. It is 30 miles south, in the quiet town of Harrison.
The Lay of the Land
Lake Coeur d'Alene is shaped roughly like an upside-down letter Y, with long arms stretching south into the foothills. Harrison sits at the southern end of the lake's eastern arm, a town of about 200 people that has served as a gateway to Idaho's backcountry for over a century.
The geography here is different from the north shore. Instead of steep, developed hillsides, you get rolling bluffs, open meadows, and mature pine forests that run right to the water's edge. The lake is quieter on this end -- fewer speedboats, more kayakers, and a slower pace that rewards anyone who makes the drive.
Harrison is about 30 minutes south of Interstate 90, reached by a winding two-lane road that follows the Coeur d'Alene River. The drive itself is part of the experience. By the time you arrive, the noise of the highway has faded and you are in genuine Idaho countryside.
Camping Options on the South Lake
There are a handful of camping options in this part of the lake, each with a different character.
Harrison Bluffs Campground
Our campground sits on elevated bluffs overlooking the lake, offering five intimate tent camping sites. Each site has its own personality -- from the panoramic views at Site #1 Lakeview Bluff to the seclusion of Site #4 Creekside Hollow. All sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and vehicle parking. This is not a sprawling campground with hundreds of sites and check-in kiosks. It is five spots on a bluff, surrounded by trees and sky, with the lake spreading out below.
Harrison Bluffs RV Park
For those traveling by RV, our RV park is a separate property just down the road with 10 full-hookup sites featuring water and electrical connections. Every site has lake views, level parking pads, and enough space for rigs up to 50 feet. Two premium combo sites even include private tent camping areas alongside the RV pad, which is great for families who want to mix RV comfort with a traditional camping experience.
Heyburn State Park
About 10 miles south of Harrison, Heyburn State Park is one of the oldest state parks in the Pacific Northwest. It offers developed campsites along the lake and the St. Joe River, with showers, a boat launch, and paved trails. It is a good option for families who want more amenities, though it tends to book up fast during peak summer months.
Dispersed Camping on National Forest Land
The St. Joe National Forest and the Idaho Panhandle National Forests both have dispersed camping areas within driving distance of Harrison. These are primitive, undeveloped sites with no facilities -- just you and the woods. They are free but require self-sufficiency and adherence to Leave No Trace principles.
Why Harrison Works as a Base Camp
Harrison is small, but it punches above its weight when it comes to outdoor access. From here, you can reach an impressive range of activities without long drives.
The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes runs right through town. This 73-mile paved rail-trail is one of the highest-rated biking and walking trails in the country, stretching from Plummer in the west to Mullan in the east. Harrison sits near the midpoint, so you can ride in either direction and explore different scenery each day.
Lake access is easy. Harrison has a public boat launch, a swimming beach at the city park, and calm waters that are ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding. You can launch a canoe in the morning and have the south end of the lake practically to yourself.
Fishing is excellent. Lake Coeur d'Alene holds chinook salmon, rainbow trout, bass, and northern pike. The St. Joe River, just south of town, is a renowned fly-fishing destination. You will need an Idaho fishing license, available online or at local sporting goods stores.
Downtown Harrison may only be a few blocks long, but it has everything you need: a general store, a couple of restaurants with lakeside seating, a coffee shop, and a marina. It is the kind of place where people wave at you from their porches and nobody is in a hurry.
What Makes Lakeside Camping Here Different
Camping near Coeur d'Alene at the north end of the lake often means competing with resort traffic, marina noise, and the general bustle of a popular tourist destination. There is nothing wrong with that -- it is a beautiful area. But it is not exactly wilderness solitude.
At Harrison Bluffs, the experience is different. You are close enough to town for supplies and a meal out, but far enough from any major development that the evenings are genuinely quiet. The sunsets over the lake are unobstructed. The stars come out in force once the sky darkens. The only sounds most nights are crickets, the occasional owl, and maybe a distant boat heading home across the water.
That combination of accessibility and seclusion is hard to find anywhere on the lake. It is what keeps people coming back to Harrison summer after summer.
Planning Your Trip
Harrison Bluffs is open from May 1 through October 31 each year. The season breaks down roughly like this:
- May and early June: Cool mornings, warm afternoons, wildflowers everywhere. The lake is still cold for swimming but gorgeous to look at. Trails are uncrowded.
- Late June through August: Peak season. Warm days, comfortable nights, and the best swimming and water recreation conditions. Book early for this window.
- September and October: The hidden gem months. Fall color arrives, crowds thin out, and the fishing gets even better. Night temperatures drop into the 30s and 40s, so bring warm layers.
All bookings for both the campground and the RV park are handled through Hipcamp. You can check availability and reserve your dates directly from our campground or RV park pages.
Getting Here
From Coeur d'Alene or I-90, take US-97 south to Highway 3, then follow the signs to Harrison. The drive is about 30-40 minutes depending on your starting point. From Moscow or Lewiston, take Highway 95 north to Highway 3 and head west toward Harrison.
A quick note: cell service in the area is adequate on Verizon and T-Mobile but can be spotty with other carriers. Download your maps and any entertainment before you leave the highway.
If you have been searching for camping near Coeur d'Alene that feels like a real escape -- not a parking lot with a lake view -- Harrison is worth the extra 30 minutes of driving. Come see why the south end of the lake is where the locals go when they want to get away from it all.