Coeur d'Alene Campground

The feel

Coeur d'Alene Campground is a small, primitive Forest Service camp in a secluded valley, surrounded by spruce and hemlock and ringed by alpine peaks. It has six walk-in tent sites, with toilets, fire pits and tables, and nothing more. The valley is old gold-mining country.

Palmer Creek Road is a 12 mile gravel road climbing from the Hope area to a high valley containing past and present mining activity, and the campground sits six miles up it.

What to expect

Layout and setting

Six walk-in tent sites in a secluded valley of spruce and hemlock, with a vault toilet, fire pits and tables.

Check-in and stay

First-come. The stay limit is 14 days.

Parking and rig size

Not recommended for large RVs or trailers. The roads are narrow and loose gravel may be present.

Fees and reservations

Free, first-come.

Hazards

Narrow roads with loose gravel. Store all food in your vehicle or the lockers provided in the campground.

Bathrooms and water

A vault toilet, but no drinking water. Bring your own water and pack out all garbage.

Season and access

Generally open from mid-May to September 30th. From Hope Highway at Milepost 16.2, head south on Resurrection Creek Road for 1/2 mile, turn left onto Palmer Creek Road and drive six miles.

Mingo says

Plan your trip between mid-May and September 30th, when the campground is generally open. Take the narrow gravel road slowly and leave the big rig behind.

Before you go

• Fill your water containers before the drive, since the campground has no water.
• Keep food in your vehicle or the campground lockers.
• Call the Seward Ranger District at (907) 288-3178, open Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
• Pack out all your garbage.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.