Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Hayden, Idaho

Situated directly north of Coeur d’Alene, Hayden is a relatively new city embraced by breathtaking natural scenery and a variety of family-oriented attractions.

The city is surrounded by vast stretches of prairie, with the peaks of the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane Mountains visible in nearly every direction.

Moreover, the two largest lakes in Idaho are merely minutes away, and Hayden itself boasts a charming beachfront park along its eastern lakefront.

Its proximity to a popular regional tourism destination like Coeur d’Alene ensures that visitors have immediate access to amusement parks, water parks, and unforgettable recreational opportunities.

Furthermore, Hayden features a range of all-weather attractions, including a waterpark, indoor family entertainment centers, and a petting zoo.

1. Triple Play Family Fun Park

Located just a short distance from Hayden City Hall and connected to the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, the family activity center is filled with things to enjoy.

In summary, Triple Play Family Fun Park features an 18-hole indoor mini-golf course, bowling alley, laser tag arena, climbing wall, ropes course, a three-story indoor playground, arcade, bumper cars, virtual reality games, and an interactive dark ride.

During the summer months, additional outdoor fun is available with go-karts and bumper boats. The complex also includes Raptor Reef Indoor Water Park, which will be discussed next.

2. Raptor Reef Indoor Water Park

Connected to Triple Play, this 25,000-square-foot water park remains open even during colder months.

Within Raptor Reef Water Park, a consistent temperature of 86 °F ensures a comfortable environment for guests ranging from toddlers to teenagers.

Older children can enjoy the primary attraction, the new waterslide named The Constrictor, which drops 350 feet at high speed through three intense curves.

This slide is the fastest of Raptor Reef’s four offerings, complemented by a wave pool featuring three-foot waves, indoor/outdoor hot tubs, and a two-story play area designed for younger children, complete with a tipping bucket and water jets.

3. Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center

A notable historical figure from North Idaho is inventor and aviator Forrest Bird (1921-2015), who lived nearby in Sagle.

A technical training officer during WWII, Bird transitioned into a career focused on inventing respirators and ventilators for the medical field after discovering a German oxygen regulator and enhancing its functionality.

The Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center is situated in a hangar at Coeur d’Alene Airport and features a rotating collection of aircraft from before World War I to the present day.

A few of the notable aircraft include a 1947 Republic RC-7 “Sea Bee,” a North American AT-6 akin to the aircraft Bird piloted during WWII, and a 1927 WACO model GXE-10, in which he completed his first solo flight at just 14 years old.

These aircraft are accompanied by exhibits detailing Bird’s medical inventions alongside notable innovations, including Ruth Handler’s Barbie doll and the Mac II, primarily developed by Steve Wozniak.

4. Hayden City Park (McIntire Family Park)

This delightful park was renamed in 2016 in honor of former mayor Ronald B. McIntire and is situated directly behind Hayden City Hall.

The land has a significant historical background for Hayden, having been donated in the mid-20th century for various civic uses, including the City Hall, fire station, community center, and primary park.

The park features extensive green spaces, along with a baseball field, basketball court, and a children’s playground.

The bandstand serves as the focal point for Thursday Night Concerts in the Park throughout July and August, in addition to hosting the Hayden Days event each July.

5. Hayden Lake

On its eastern side, Hayden is bordered by a stunning natural lake, characterized by a mountainous and intricately shaped shoreline.

Parts of Hayden Lake reach remarkable depths of 800 feet, while the surrounding mountains rise to elevations of 6,000 feet on all sides except for the portion facing Hayden.

You can enjoy a day by the lake at Honeysuckle Beach (more details to follow), which also offers one of the few boat launches available on the lake.

Additionally, a scenic drive meanders along the lakeshore for 40 miles, passing through dense pine forests and showcasing modern and historic summer homes.

6. Honeysuckle Beach

As one of only three public access points available on Hayden Lake, Honeysuckle Beach is a city-managed public park.

This beach is situated in a cove on the lake’s western shore and was established in the early 1990s through community fundraising initiatives.

Surrounded by tall evergreen trees, a welcoming stretch of golden sand lines a shallow swimming area. In the water, the swimming zone is bordered by a walkable wooden dock for fishing.

The beach features lifeguard supervision from mid-June to late-August, daily from noon to 6 pm. During this period, a concession stand operates, and visitors may enjoy picnics in the shaded grassy area behind the beach.

7. Big Red’s Barn Indoor Animal Experience

This fully licensed indoor petting zoo, located just south of Hayden, provides engaging animal experiences for children year-round.

Among the diverse species and breeds at Big Red’s Barn are dwarf goats, miniature pigs, zebus, a miniature donkey, wallabies, guinea pigs, rabbits, various birds, sheep, a capybara, along with tarantulas, tortoises, and snakes.

These animals are housed in clean and spacious enclosures and are accustomed to human interaction; visitors can purchase fresh vegetables to feed many of them. Depending on weather conditions, children may also have the opportunity to enjoy camel and “unicorn” rides outside.

8. Lake Coeur d’Alene

A notable summer destination, Lake Coeur d’Alene, recognized as the second-largest lake in Idaho, is located no more than five miles south of Hayden.

This natural wonder, formed at the conclusion of the last Ice Age, boasts over 100 miles of visually striking shoreline, bordered by steep slopes covered with majestic Ponderosa pines.

It is a remarkable area to appreciate through boat cruises departing from Coeur d’Alene, or along the paved North Idaho Centennial Trail and Tubbs Hill on the northern shore.

Coeur d’Alene is home to captivating lakeside public spaces, such as McEuen Park, cherished by families for its splash pad.

Moreover, a wealth of outdoor activities awaits, including fishing excursions, paragliding, jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding on the Spokane River, and visits to local farms.

9. Silverwood Theme Park

Boasting more than 70 rides, attractions, slides, and shows, Silverwood Theme Park stands as the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

Offering sufficient entertainment for an entire day, it is located just ten miles from Hayden. The rides encompass a broad range of intensity levels, with the most extreme being Aftershock, which catapults riders forward through a cobra roll and inverted loop, then reverses.

This attraction is one of six roller coasters at Silverwood, complemented by a variety of family-friendly water rides, carnival-style games, and spectacular stunt and magic performances.

Included in the admission price is Boulder Beach, an upscale water park featuring two wave pools, a lazy river, a water play area for younger guests, and slides that escalate in intensity to the 55mph Velocity Peak.

10. Croffoot Park

Located north of the airport, Croffoot Park encompasses 25 acres dedicated to outdoor recreation. It features a picturesque setting with uninterrupted views across the flat prairie towards the Bitterroot Mountains in the east and the Spokane Mountains to the west.

The park’s amenities include a sports complex with two softball fields, two little league baseball fields, two basketball courts, two soccer fields, horseshoe pits, and a playground for young children.

Moreover, for dog owners, there is a fenced dog park on the eastern side affectionately named Pawfoot Park.

11. Farragut State Park

For those seeking further wilderness experiences, Lake Pend Oreille, the state’s largest body of water, is accessible within a 20-minute drive from Hayden.

On the southwestern shore lies Farragut State Park, which has a notable history as the site of a WWII naval training station that prepared nearly 300,000 sailors over just 30 months.

Spanning 4,000 acres, the park offers some of the most breathtaking views of Lake Pend Oreille, particularly from Bernard Peak, one of several scenic overlooks connected by approximately 40 miles of trails.

Additionally, the park features a disc golf course, facilities for mountain biking and horseback riding, hundreds of campsites, ten camping cabins, and a visitor center that explores the park’s history and ecology.

12. Mad Bomber Brewing Company

Curious about the name of this craft brewery in Hayden, it stems from the founders being three Army veterans who served in Afghanistan’s bomb squad.

The explosive theme permeates the setting, as the taproom features tables crafted from old munitions crates, and the beers are named in reference to iconic weapons or explosive-related historical events.

Notable options include the 1605 Rye (marking the year of the Gunpowder Plot), the Fatman IPA, the Marksman India Brown, and the MK84 Porter. The brewery offers eight beers on tap at any given time, including six core selections and seasonal offerings, with a cozy fireplace available during winter months.

13. The Clark House

Occupying a prominent location at Clark Point on Hayden Lake Road, The Clark House is a historic property with a captivating narrative. Built in 1912, it served as a summer residence for industrialist Francis Lewis Clark.

Just two years later, in 1914, Clark vanished during a trip to Santa Barbara, California, and the circumstances of his disappearance remain unverified.

The Clark House is of cultural importance, designed in the American Colonial style by esteemed architect Kirtland Cutter and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978.

Following Clark’s disappearance, the property was repurposed as a boys’ home, a convalescent center, a resort, and a restaurant before experiencing a period of neglect until the 1990s. It has recently been restored and now functions as a bed and breakfast.

14. Timberline Adventures

The ultimate way to experience the natural beauty of Lake Coeur d’Alene is by soaring through the forest canopy on a zip line. This opportunity is available through Timberline Adventures, which operates a storefront in the city and provides transportation via open-air UTV to their expansive property along the lake’s northeast shore at Beauty Bay.

Visitors can choose from seven zip lines, with the option to ride all seven or select a shorter tour, continuously gliding from one treetop platform to the next.

The property includes a charming treehouse where guests can also make s’mores over an open flame.

15. Avondale Golf Course

Open to the public, Avondale Golf Course is a membership club offering a picturesque location adjacent to Hayden Lake.

Surrounded by some of North Idaho’s most stunning wooded scenery, it provides a challenging yet enjoyable 18-hole Par 72 course that spans 6,600 yards.

Occasionally, glimpses of the peaks of the Bitterroot Mountains emerge amidst the towering pines.

The course is accompanied by a well-maintained putting green and a natural turf driving range, while the pro shop, overseen by PGA professional Dan Porter, offers equipment suitable for both beginners and low-handicappers alike.