Summary
Situated in the northern part of the Coeur d’Alene Metropolitan Area, Rathdrum is a quaint city framed by the majestic Selkirk Mountains.
With an elevation exceeding 5,000 feet, one particular peak adjacent to Rathdrum bears the city’s name. A significant portion of Rathdrum Mountain is accessible to the public, inviting visitors to explore its picturesque coniferous forests through numerous hiking trails.
On the plains, Rathdrum offers a wealth of amenities, including well-maintained parks and a links-style golf course, while the beautiful Hauser Lake is just a short drive away.
Moreover, the proximity to Coeur d’Alene allows access to premier attractions, outdoor activities, and stunning natural landscapes.
1. City Park
Conveniently located off State Highway 53, the highlight of Rathdrum’s park system is positioned alongside a tranquil creek.
This creek is traversed by a pedestrian bridge, with lush grassy areas on both banks, adorned with mature coniferous and deciduous trees.
During sunny days in spring or summer, visitors can enjoy a picnic at the tables and relax in the shade of these magnificent trees.
Children will delight in wading through the stream’s shallow, clear waters. City Park features a spacious pavilion, a gazebo available for rental, a playground area, horseshoe pits, and restrooms.
2. Rathdrum Mountain
Overlooking the northwest side of Rathdrum, the mountain sharing its name with the city forms part of the southernmost segment of the Selkirk Range, which extends along the Canadian border.
Blanketed in stunning coniferous forest, Rathdrum Mountain serves as a favored location for outdoor activities and is open to the public during daylight hours.
The city manages approximately 550 acres of this area, which includes a 9-hole disc golf course and a continuously expanding network of trails.
The most frequented route is a six-mile loop along an old logging trail, featuring a significant elevation gain of over 1,000 feet. If approached quietly, hikers might encounter elk, deer, wild turkeys, and potentially a bobcat.
The pathway is bordered by towering cedars and ponderosas, with occasional breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
3. Rathdrum Farmers’ Market
On the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from May through August, a small yet vibrant farmers’ market takes place in the picturesque setting of City Park.
Established in 2009, this market showcases fresh produce and goods directly sourced from local farmers, alongside handmade arts and crafts from the Rathdrum community.
Visitors can find a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, plants, jams, honey, bread, and pastries, providing ample inspiration for gifts.
Typically, there are freshly prepared foods available, as well as live entertainment and engaging activities for children.
4. St. Stanislaus Kostka Mission
A notable monument in Rathdrum is this striking Catholic church, established in 1900, making it the oldest brick-built Catholic church in Idaho.
St. Stanislaus is designed in the Gothic Revival style and has been included on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977.
The church serves as a community focal point, hosting the cherished Polish Fall Festival every November.
Inside, visitors can appreciate the exquisite wooden pews, statuary, and particularly the magnificent altarpiece (1901), depicting St. Stanislaus in prayer before Mary with Jesus.
If viewed only from the exterior, one should take note of the small multifoil windows and the whitewashed wooden segments on the tower above the entrance.
5. Majestic Park
Located just beyond the southeastern boundaries of the city, Majestic Park is the newest addition to Rathdrum’s park system.
The name is fitting, as from this vantage point on the prairie, one can admire the surrounding mountains in every direction, including the nearby Selkirk Mountains rising majestically to the northwest.
In addition to stunning views, Majestic Park is equipped with numerous facilities, including a splash pad that attracts families with young children, open from Memorial Day through the end of September.
Additional amenities include a climbing wall, two softball fields, a swing set, and a paved pathway lined with newly planted trees.
6. Silverwood Theme Park
Located a short distance from Rathdrum, Silverwood Theme Park is the largest amusement park in the Pacific Northwest. This expansive venue spans over 400 acres and offers a diverse array of rides, shows, and entertainment suitable for all ages.
Attractions range from cutting-edge thrill rides that set records for speed and inversions, such as Stunt Pilot, Aftershock, and Tremors, to classic rides like bumper cars, carousels, spinners, a Ferris wheel, and white water rafting adventures.
A charming narrow gauge railway meanders through the park, and admission to Silverwood also includes access to Boulder Beach Water Park, featuring numerous slides, a play area for younger children, and two expansive wave pools positioned side-by-side.
7. Links Golf Club
Located just five minutes from downtown Rathdrum, Links Golf Club features a highly regarded 18-hole course known as one of the best in the region, complemented by stunning mountain vistas.
In keeping with its name, this course provides a traditional Scottish-style links layout, adhering to the natural topography and presenting formidable, deep bunkers alongside unpredictable winds.
The tees and fairways are consistently well-maintained, and the bent-grass greens are typically fast. Additional facilities include power carts, a driving range, and a beverage cart, allowing visitors to conclude their round at The Links Restaurant and Bar, which boasts a scenic patio.
8. Hauser Lake Park
Situated directly on the Idaho-Washington border, Hauser Lake is merely ten minutes from downtown Rathdrum, framed by breathtaking mountain views.
The southern shore features a welcoming swimming beach, complemented by a grassy picnic area shaded by trees, while the water is surrounded on three sides by wooden docks.
Children enjoy jumping into the water from the platform, while anglers cast their lines for bluegill, perch, and bass.
The park is equipped with restrooms, running water, a playground, and a boat launch located right next to the beach.
9. Lake Coeur d’Alene
Approximately ten miles southeast of Rathdrum lies the expansive northern shoreline of a significant glacial lake, bordered by pine-laden mountains. The city of Coeur d’Alene, located right on the water, is a charming resort town.
The downtown area is replete with buildings from the early 20th century, featuring delightful gift shops, cafes, and restaurants with outdoor seating options.
The lake serves as a hub for cruises, water sports, lakeside hikes, and a plethora of thrilling activities, including zip-lining.
Moreover, the lakefront offers various lovely public spaces, such as City Park and Tubbs Hill, allowing visitors to savor the stunning scenery at their leisure. Additionally, in the winter months, quiet sections of the shoreline east of the city often attract sightings of bald eagles.
10. North Idaho Centennial Trail
Draining from Lake Coeur d’Alene, the Spokane River flows westward for 111 miles until it reaches Lake Roosevelt in Washington, where it converges with the Columbia River.
The northern bank on the Idaho side is accessible via a remarkable 24-mile multi-use trail, extending from Higgens Point along the eastern shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene to the Idaho-Washington boundary.
This trail meanders through a series of picturesque parks lining the riverbank and lakefront, completed in stages during the 1990s and recently resurfaced.
For those seeking additional adventure, the Spokane River Centennial Trail extends another 37 miles into Washington, providing an excellent opportunity for hiking or cycling.
11. Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center
Located at Pappy Boyington Field, a mere ten-minute drive southeast of Rathdrum, the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center resides within one of the hangars, showcasing the legacy of Idaho inventor Forrest Bird (1921-2015).
A passionate aviator from an early age, Bird made significant advancements in the medical field by applying his expertise with aircraft oxygen regulators to create increasingly effective respirators and ventilators during the post-war years.
This museum not only highlights his innovations but also features a rotating selection of aircraft from Bird’s private collection.
Notable exhibits include a 1968 Bell 47, a 1947 Republic RC-7, a 1967 Alon A-2, and a North American AT-6.
12. Buck Knives
Renowned for its quality, Buck Knives is an esteemed knife manufacturer located just 15 minutes away in Post Falls. Established in 1902 in San Diego, the company relocated to Post Falls in 2005.
The brand has effectively dominated the folding hunting knife market, to the extent that the term “Buck Knife” has become synonymous with premium folding knives, akin to the term “Hoover” for vacuum cleaners.
Visitors can take part in a 45-minute tour of the factory, where they can learn about the company’s history, the revolutionary Model 110 Folding Hunter (1964), and observe the meticulous process of crafting each knife.
13. Stub Myers Park
Positioned just south of downtown Rathdrum amidst tall softwood trees, Stub Myers Park spans just under ten acres.
This park boasts expansive grassy areas, maintained through an automatic irrigation system, and equipped with picnic tables and benches for visitors’ convenience.
A playground caters to children, alongside a volleyball court, basketball court, four baseball/softball fields, horseshoe pits, and complimentary amenities such as barbecues, a picnic shelter, an accessible restroom, and a concessions stand.
14. Falls Park
Should you visit the region in spring, it is essential to explore this riverfront park in Post Falls, a site pivotal to the area’s development in the 19th century.
The original dam was constructed in the 1870s by Frederick Post to power a lumber mill, later converted into a hydroelectric facility in the early 1900s, supplying power to mines as far away as 100 miles.
As the snow melts in March and April, the water cascades over the falls, creating a thunderous spectacle.
The picturesque scenery features a rugged canyon downstream, and within Wandering Falls Park, visitors can read historical interpretive signs while enjoying the serene atmosphere beside a tranquil pond.
15. Rathdrum Days
A highlight of the summer in Rathdrum is the exciting two-day event known as Rathdrum Days, typically held on the third weekend of July.
This vibrant celebration features a diverse range of activities and attractions. To name just a few, attendees can enjoy a beer garden and dance on Friday night, car shows, a charming dog race, a strongman competition, and a parade along Main Street.
These festivities are enhanced by numerous vendor booths and a main stage presenting live entertainment, including music performances, magic, dance, and live comedy.
