Things to Do in Hayden, Idaho
Things to Do in Hayden, Idaho: A Local’s Guide
Hayden sits just minutes north of Coeur d’Alene, but it has a personality all its own. From the sandy shoreline of Hayden Lake to year-round family fun and some of the best golfing in the region, this city packs a full day (or week) of activities into a laid-back, easy-to-navigate area. Here’s what to do when you visit, straight from the locals who live here.
Key Takeaways
- Hayden Lake is the center of summer life here, with swimming, boating, paddleboarding, and fishing spots accessible from Honeysuckle Beach.
- Avondale Golf Club is an 18-hole public-access course, and the famous floating green at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course is a short drive away.
- Triple Play Family Fun Park offers bumper boats, laser tag, mini golf, and an indoor water park for endless fun year-round.
- Silverwood Theme Park is a quick day trip from Hayden, featuring 70+ rides and attractions for all ages.
Get on the Water at Hayden Lake
Hayden Lake is the heartbeat of this community. The lake stretches over 3,800 acres, and its sparkling waters draw swimmers, boaters, and anglers from all over north Idaho every summer.
Honeysuckle Beach
Honeysuckle Beach is the city’s own public access point on Hayden Lake. It’s the go-to spot for families who want to spend a full day on the water without a boat.
The beach includes a swim area, a public boat launch, dock access, a beach volleyball court, and seasonal restrooms. Concessions run from June 15 through September 7, open daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Keep in mind that this is an unguarded, swim-at-your-own-risk facility, so watch your kids closely near the water.
Local Tip: Honeysuckle Beach fills up fast on weekends in July and August. Arrive before 10 AM to grab a good spot near the water. Weekday mornings are the sweet spot if you want the beach mostly to yourself.
You can find full details, including boat launch permit info, on the City of Hayden parks page.
Boating, Paddle Boarding, and Fishing
If you’re bringing a boat or renting one, Hayden Lake is great for both cruising and fishing. The lake holds largemouth bass, northern pike, and rainbow trout, making it a solid pick for anglers who want to cast a line at sunrise or sunset.
Paddleboarding is another popular option on calm mornings before the wind picks up. For guests who’d rather stay on a bigger lake, Lake Coeur d’Alene is just a short drive south with even more boating options.
CDA Vacation Rentals offers pontoon and wake boat rentals with delivery right to select properties, so you can skip the marina hassle and start your day right from the dock.
- Best For
- Swimming at Honeysuckle Beach: Families, kids
- Fishing: Anglers, all ages
- Paddle boarding: Couples, solo
- Boating/tubing: Groups, families
- Sunset cruise: Couples, groups
- Swimming at Honeysuckle Beach: Hayden Lake
- Fishing: Hayden Lake, Lake CDA
- Paddle boarding: Hayden Lake (mornings)
- Boating/tubing: Hayden Lake, Lake CDA
- Sunset cruise: Lake Coeur d’Alene
- Swimming at Honeysuckle Beach: June – September
- Fishing: April – October
- Paddle boarding: June – September
- Boating/tubing: June – September
- Sunset cruise: June – September
Golfing in and Around Hayden
If you’re a golfer, Hayden and the surrounding area offer quality courses that range from public-access play to world-famous experiences.
Avondale Golf Club
Avondale Golf Club is an 18-hole course right in Hayden that’s open to the public. It’s a membership club, but anyone can book a tee time online and play a round.
The course is well-maintained and challenging enough for experienced players, while still being approachable for newer golfers. After your round, check out The Avondale Bar & Grill on-site for lunch or dinner. The grill is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Friday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The pro shop is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Avondale also has PGA-level golf instruction for adults and juniors, so it’s a great place to participate in a lesson if you want to sharpen your game during your stay.
Local Tip: Avondale Golf Club rebranded with a fresh logo in 2025 and has a new head chef running the kitchen. The food is worth a stop, even if you don’t play that day.
The Famous Floating Green
No golfing trip to this part of Idaho is complete without at least knowing about the famous floating green at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course. It’s the only movable floating green in the world, and it sits right on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The par-3 14th hole requires a boat ride to reach the green, and it’s been featured by Golf Digest as part of one of “America’s Most Beautiful Resort Golf Courses.”
You can learn more and book a tee time on the resort’s golf page. Please note that The Coeur d’Alene Resort is a separate business, and CDA Vacation Rentals is not affiliated with the resort. But it’s absolutely worth the experience if you’re in the area.
Hayden Lake Country Club
Hayden Lake Country Club is a private membership club located along the shores of Hayden Lake. It offers championship golf, lakefront dining, a private marina, and tennis and pickleball courts. Because it’s a members-only club, it’s not open to the general public for tee times. If you’re interested in membership, you can contact the club directly.
For visitors who want to choose a course they can play without a membership, Avondale Golf Course is the better option in the Hayden area.
Family Fun for All Ages
Hayden and the surrounding area are loaded with things to do for the whole family, rain or shine.
Triple Play Family Fun Park
Triple Play Family Fun Park is one of the top family attractions in north Idaho, and it’s right here in Hayden. The park offers an impressive lineup of activities: bumper boats, laser tag, mini golf, a ropes course, go-karts, an arcade, and the Raptor Reef Indoor Water Park with slides and a lazy river.
Triple Play celebrated its 25th anniversary in July 2025, and the facilities have been recently remodeled. It’s a year-round operation, which makes it one of the best rainy-day or cool-weather options in the area. You can check current prices and hours on their website.
Triple Play does have an attached hotel (Triple Play Resort Hotel & Suites), but CDA Vacation Rentals is not affiliated with Triple Play’s lodging. We offer privately owned vacation homes, cabins, and condos in Hayden and throughout North Idaho.
Silverwood Theme Park
Silverwood Theme Park is the Northwest’s largest theme park, located in Athol, about 15 minutes north of Hayden. It features over 70 rides, shows, and attractions, including four roller coasters and Boulder Beach Water Park.
Silverwood is a full-day experience for the whole family. For September 2026, the park is open daily through September 7, then shifts to weekends only (Saturdays and Sundays) through the end of the month. Boulder Beach closes for the season after Labor Day weekend. You can check the current calendar here.
Local Tip: Buy tickets online before you go. Silverwood’s website consistently offers the lowest prices, and you’ll save time at the gate. If you’re visiting with young kids, the park’s ride lineup has plenty for little ones, not just thrill seekers.
Trails, Hiking, and Getting Outside
Hayden, Idaho, is surrounded by outdoor options that don’t require a boat or a golf club.
Local Trails and Parks
The City of Hayden maintains six parks across 57.5 acres. Croffoot Park is the largest at 30+ acres and includes baseball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball courts, a dog park, and walking paths. It recently completed a six-acre expansion in April 2025.
McIntire Family Park downtown hosts summer concerts in the park during July and August on Thursday nights. It’s a cool way to spend a night out without leaving the city.
For more serious hiking, Canfield Mountain trails are a short drive south and offer forested ridge hikes with views of Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding area. If you’re staying with us in Bayview, Farragut State Park has miles of trails through old-growth forest.
Stroll Through Town
Downtown Hayden has grown a lot in recent years. You’ll find local boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants along Government Way. It’s a quieter stroll compared to Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d’Alene, which is great if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
Where to Stay in Hayden
Finding the right home base makes all the difference. CDA Vacation Rentals manages 50+ properties across North Idaho, including vacation homes in both Hayden and Hayden Lake.
Our rentals are privately owned homes, cabins, and condos with fully equipped kitchens, high-speed Wi-Fi, fresh linens, and keyless entry. Select properties offer lake views, hot tubs, private docks, and pet-friendly accommodations (dogs only, housebroken, non-refundable pet fee applies).
You’re not booking through a faceless platform. Our team lives and works right here in Coeur d’Alene, and we provide 24/7 local support. Book direct and save 10-15% compared to third-party platforms.
FAQ
What are the best things to do in Hayden, Idaho, with kids?
The best family activities in Hayden include swimming at Honeysuckle Beach, spending a day at Triple Play Family Fun Park (with bumper boats, laser tag, and mini golf), and taking a day trip to Silverwood Theme Park in Athol. Croffoot Park also has playgrounds and open fields for kids to run around.
Is Hayden Lake Country Club open to the public?
No. Hayden Lake Country Club is a private membership club. Public visitors cannot book tee times there. If you want to play golf in Hayden without a membership, Avondale Golf Club is an 18-hole course that welcomes the public. You can book tee times directly on their website.
How far is Hayden from Coeur d’Alene?
Hayden is about 8 miles north of downtown Coeur d’Alene, which is roughly a 12 to 15 minute drive. It’s close enough to enjoy everything Coeur d’Alene has to offer while staying in a quieter area.
Can I go fishing near Hayden?
Yes. Hayden Lake has strong populations of largemouth bass, northern pike, and rainbow trout. You can launch a boat from Honeysuckle Beach or fish from the shoreline. Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River through Post Falls are also great fishing spots within a short drive.
What is there to do near Hayden in Worley, Idaho?
Worley is about 30 minutes south of Hayden and is home to the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort. It’s a popular day trip for dining, entertainment, and gaming. The drive south along Highway 95 also takes you through rolling Palouse-style hills, which are especially scenic in spring and early summer.
Are there things to do in Hayden during winter?
Absolutely. Triple Play Family Fun Park and its Raptor Reef Indoor Water Park operate year-round, so you’ll find endless fun for the whole family even when it’s snowing outside. Ski resorts like Silver Mountain and Schweitzer are each about an hour’s drive from Hayden, making the city a solid home base for a winter trip.
