There’s no better place to spend these beautiful summer days than on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Lake Coeur d’Alene is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. And once you see it, it’s easy to understand why. Lake Coeur d’Alene is absolutely picturesque, with sapphire-blue waters, skyscraping evergreen trees, and alpine mountains.
The beaches are near perfect, with soft sands, clean restrooms, and plenty of picnic tables and beach-side barbeques. Alcohol isn’t allowed on the beach and tends to be very family-friendly, making this an ideal destination for families around the inland northwest, as well as out-of-town visitors.
However, a common issue with mountainside lakes is the temperature of the water. Since the ice and snow tend to run off into alpine lakes, they can often feel very frigid, even in the warm summer season.
Lake Coeur d’Alene is different. Lake Coeur d’Alene isn’t as cold as some of its neighbors, such as Priest Lake and Pend Oreille. Learn more about Lake Coeur d’Alene’s temperatures by reading below.
When Does Lake Coeur d’Alene Warm Up?
March, April, and May tend to be rather cold, as the snow runoff is currently happening or is starting to level off. By June, runoff is over but the water is still rather cold. In June, Lake Coeur d’Alene’s temperatures tend to stick to the low to mid-sixties.
July is when Lake Coeur d’Alene starts to warm up. Generally, the water in the lake will be warm enough for swimming in July. Lake Coeur d’Alene’s water temperatures in July tend to rest around a comfortable 70 ℉. Depending on the weather, this can mean the temperature can be up to 73 ℉ or lower if it’s been a cool spring and summer so far.
Around the middle of August, the lake’s temperature tends to top out at 76 ℉. With several days over 100 ℉, the lake’s temperature can even exceed 76 ℉.
When Does Lake Coeur d’Alene Cool Down?
Unfortunately, after mid-August, Lake Coeur d’Alene slowly starts getting colder and colder, though many people will not even notice until September. Toward the middle and end of September, Lake Coeur d’Alene can get uncomfortable to swim in, when the temperature returns to the low to mid-sixties.
The temperatures drop significantly after that, to the 50’s in October, the ’40s in November, and to the ’30s from December to March. Lake Coeur d’Alene’s waters are coldest in February when the water temperature hangs around 32 ℉.
In the past, Lake Coeur d’Alene’s surface has frozen solid in the winter. In the older days, people used to drive across the lake in Model T Fords. Often, the ice could not support these vehicles and many fell through the ice. To this day, there are several Model T Fords that sit on the bottom of Lake Coeur d’Alene’s seafloor.
Explore the Lake Year-Round with Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises
A boat cruise with Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises is the best way to explore Lake Coeur d’Alene year-round. We offer the best on-water experience with temperature-controlled cruise boats, seasonal drinks and meals, sightseeing tours, and holiday party cruises. We offer both public and private cruises around the lake and even explore nearby rivers. Book your adventure today!