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Cougar Bay
4.5 ★★★★★ 134 Google reviews · Running trail in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Cougar Bay's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hikeable preserve with views of the water and the surrounding forest, featuring birds, deer and moose.
What runners say about Cougar Bay
“If you go to the end to the main summit overlook, it's beautiful and not too difficult, although there are other side trails that allow for a shorter hike as well.”
Great place to hike has alot of trails if your willing to go off trail alot of places with no people and the dogs love it! Hard to find parking when busy only about 10 spots. Get there at 6:00 A.M. or off season.
Fun, easy hike for a family. The trail is well marked and they cleaned up all the down trees from the last wind storm. So, my 5 year old was just fine hiking it. There were some beautiful vistas along the trail as well as some informational signs to help budding nature lovers. A few steep grades, but very short.
I just love this spot. I've been in spring, summer and fall and it's so nice. I love the deck at the top and traipsing around some of the other trails checking out wetland and forest. You can hear the traffic from the highway but everything else about it makes it pretty easy to tune out.
The hike up Cougar Bay is not too hard and the views of the wildlife (at the right times of year) are beautiful. Everyone I’ve encountered on the trail has been kind. The trail has some nice scenic spots towards the end with benches that you can relax on and take in the view.
Trail conditions & character
“If you go to the end to the main summit overlook, it's beautiful and not too difficult, although there are other side trails that allow for a shorter hike as well.”
“This is a fun, quick trail that can be used either as a point out and back trail or you could do one of the loop around to return back to the parking lot.”
“The beginning of the upper trail is a moderate incline; however, the lower trail is mostly level.”
“This is a fun, quick trail that can be used either as a point out and back trail or you could do one of the loop around to return back to the parking lot.”
“The beginning of the upper trail is a moderate incline; however, the lower trail is mostly level.”
“Great place to hike has alot of trails if your willing to go off trail alot of places with no people and the dogs love it!”
Plan your run at Cougar Bay
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitenature.org
- Phone(208) 788-8988
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Coeur d'Alene
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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McEuen Park
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