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BLM Camping

Windy Bay Boater Park

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Windy Bay Boater Park

Nestled on the shores of western Idaho's Windy Bay, Windy Bay Boater Park is a unique boat-in campground on land protected by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a government agency that manages and preserves over 850 areas in the United States. Unlike most BLM campgrounds, there's no way to access the Windy Bay Boater Park by vehicle. In addition to camping on the peaceful shores, visitors to the park can enjoy top-notch fishing, boating, and other water-based recreation on Windy Bay and the connected Lake Coeur d'Alene. Mount Rainier National Park, located six hours and 40 minutes southwest of Windy Bay Boater Park in Washington, is the nearest national park should you feel like making the trek.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Tubbs Hill

Tubbs Hill Trail, about 40 minutes northeast of Windy Bay Boater Park, is a popular loop that takes you on a scenic walk around Coeur d'Alene, ID. The trail offers beautiful views of nearby Harrison Slough and features plenty of lush greenery. Hikers will come across a lovely beach on the south side of the loop where they can go for a swim. For the best experience, check out Tubbs Hill Trail between May and October.

Length: 2 miles

Intensity: Easy

Marie Creek Trail

If you're looking for a daylong hike in a serene setting, Marie Creek Trail is an excellent choice. The out-and-back trail is in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, which is an hour and 10 minutes northeast of Windy Bay Boater Park, and experiences frequent use from hikers, trail runners, and horseback riders. The trail, which is very popular but still offers plenty of solitude, will take you mainly through dense forest. There is some elevation gain, but the trail never gets especially steep or difficult. If you plan to trek the entire length, consider bringing a snack and plenty of water.

Length: 8.7 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fernan Lake Natural Area

Located near Coeur d'Alene, approximately 40 minutes northeast of Windy Bay Boater Park, Fernan Lake Natural Area features a short loop trail that visitors can use to explore the peaceful site. While you stroll through the woodlands, you'll experience some breathtaking views of nearby Lake Fernan and the surrounding area.

Length: 1.3 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing & Boating

Windy Bay and the attached Lake Coeur d'Alene, 37 minutes to the northeast, boast many excellent sport fisheries, including chinook salmon, small and largemouth bass, northern pike, and kokanee salmon. With so many species of fish inhabiting the reservoirs, anglers have excellent odds of reeling in a good haul before the day of fishing is through. There are also many marinas found around the massive body of water. Visitors to all areas of the reservoir regularly partake in all sorts of boating as well as a variety of watersports.

Climbing

The area north of Windy Bay Boater Park, known as the Idaho Panhandle, features several highly regarded areas for sports climbing. At Q'emiln Park, 45 minutes north of Windy Bay Boater Park, there are numerous wall and canyon routes with difficulties ranging from 5.7 to 5.11d. Other climbing destinations in the region include Chimney Rock, which is two hours and 38 minutes north of Windy Bay Boater Park, and Sandpoint, located an hour and 20 minutes northeast of the BLM site.

Wildlife Viewing

Any wildlife enthusiast knows that animals are frequently found near water, and the Windy Bay area is no exception. In the forests that surround the large bay and nearby lakes, you may see elk, white-tailed deer, or even wild turkeys roaming. You may also be lucky enough to catch sight of hummingbirds, red-tailed hawks, bluebirds, or great horned owls. There are also quite a few songbirds and small mammals that inhabit the region, so be sure to always keep your eyes open!

Picnicking

Although you may not be able to find a classic picnic table set up at Windy Bay Boater Park, there are still ways to enjoy a pleasant meal. If you're willing to push aside some greenery to create space, you can most likely find a nice spot to eat with a beautiful waterfront view in front of you. You can also travel 16 minutes to the southeast to reach Mowry Park, which features covered picnic tables.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

RV camping isn't possible at Windy Bay Boater Park as there's no way to access the site in a vehicle. However, there are opportunities to go RV camping at developed campgrounds in the area that offer amenities. One quality option that's about 20 minutes from Windy Bay Boater Park is Heyburn State Park, which features two developed campgrounds, Hawley's Landing and Benewah Campground, that offer electricity, water, restrooms, showers, and many other amenities. Also 20 minutes southeast of Windy Bay Boater Park is Praeder Ranch RV Resort. This campground features 65 RV sites, a lodge with a library and reading room, a trail system, a swimming pool, a hot tub, and much more.

Free Camping

The forests around Windy Bay and Lake Coeur d'Alene offer visitors the chance to enjoy Bureau of Land Management free camping. If you're tent camping and traveling via boat, you'll have quite a few more choices for dispersed camping as many sections of the shores are only reachable in a boat or on foot. If you search for "BLM camping near me," you will find a few places to stay that are near Windy Bay Boater Park. Mica Bay Boater Park, a half-hour northeast of Windy Bay Boater Park, provides 16 sites, vault toilets, drinking water, and a playground. Located in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest about 52 minutes northeast of Windy Bay Boater Park, Beauty Creek Campground features 20 campsites, drinking water, and vault toilets.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Windy Bay Boater Park BLM trip

If you're planning on camping at Windy Bay Boater Park, you should be aware that the site features 14 tent campsites, seven mooring docks, and two floating vault restrooms. The sites are $10 per night and available on a first-come, first-served basis. There aren't any amenities or services offered at the campground, so bring everything you anticipate needing. Bears have been known to frequent the area, so keep all your food and supplies packed up tightly while staying at Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. You most likely won't need it, but you may also want to bring bear spray just in case. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Do your part to help keep Windy Bay Boater Park in tip-top condition by leaving no trace of your stay. Litter is very harmful to the ecosystem and land, so please ensure that all your waste and garbage are properly removed. You're likely to encounter animals during your visit, but don't confront them. Instead, observe them from afar. Leave everything in nature as it is and remember to be respectful and courteous to all other visitors. Finally, remember that planning your activities and movements in advance can help you minimize your impact on the land.