Coeur d'Alene to Anaheim Road Trip Guide

What better place to begin this adventure than in a setting where you will experience diverse flora and fauna habitats and learn about nature? That’s what Dishman Hills Natural Area in Spokane County presents to you if you make a stop. As an area that features lots of trails and is primarily known as a hiking haven, you can stroll around to see resplendent plants and animals.

Wildlife you’ll see here include weasels, coyotes, porcupines, chipmunks, white-tailed deer, among others. Over 50 butterfly species are also present here. The flora community here features 300 flowering plants, lichens, and ferns, as well as more than 70 mushroom species.

While you’re here, you are encouraged to go jogging, watch birds, view nature and take photographs, and of course, hike the nine trails. You’ll be able to park your vehicle at Camp Caro while you explore the area and camp overnight at Spokane KOA Journey.

Eighty-nine square miles of outdoor adventure space awaits you in Mattawa, Washington at Hanford Reach National Monument, a popular destination for tourists and wildlife lovers. So, as you make this National Monument your next stop on this road trip, you can be sure you’ll have a swell time hunting, angling, sightseeing, boating, and kayaking.

If your interest is to hunt game in the facility, then be prepared to pursue trophy mule deer and elk. Anglers will be able to catch salmon, monster white sturgeon, steelhead, walleye, and largemouth bass, amongst other fish species that call the park’s waters home. Hikers can take advantage of the old military and service roads here for their adventure. Boating (motorized and non-motorized) and kayaking enthusiasts can proceed to Columbia River for their recreational pursuits.

Overnight tent and RV campsites are provided at Scooteney Park and Campground on a first-come, first-served basis.

Often referred to as an “oasis in the desert”, Lake Billy Chinook is a treasure in Jefferson County, Oregon which offers refreshing and relaxing times to tourists. Covering more than six square miles, this lake has about 75 miles of shoreline where you can sit to suntan, fish, and watch beautiful landscapes. What’s peculiar about this lake is the surrounding canyon walls that rise to 400 feet.

Anglers often catch a number of fish species in the lake including bull trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass, German Browns, and rainbow trout. Guests can also explore the lake on houseboats that offer the home experience atop the lake. Skiers are also fond of this lake.

Up to 300 campsites are available in The Cove Palisades State Park where you can choose between primitive, tent and RV sites. Some of the amenities available here include flush toilets, hot showers, dump station, amphitheater and exercise areas.

Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge encompasses an area of more than 23 square miles that consists of various natural habitats that house different flora and fauna species. The habitats in the Refuge range from open water to forested uplands. The marsh habitats in the Refuge can only be accessed by boats, some parts of which are open to hunting opportunities. At times, low lake levels may make these areas inaccessible by boat.

As you move around within the Refuge, you’ll come across the nesting and brood resting areas of certain birds such as waterfowl, heron, and American white pelican. Bald eagles and ospreys are commonly seen too. Wildlife photography is a popular activity here and all guests are welcome to enjoy the exercise.

Both Agency Lake and Upper Klamath Lake are dotted with parks on their shores, so there are plenty of campsites to choose from for overnight stay.

Whiskeytown Lake offers exciting swimming, paddling, fishing, and relaxation opportunities to guests who visit, regardless of the time of year. Consisting of over 36 miles of shoreline, you can be sure you have plenty of space to read, sunbathe, and enjoy picnics, especially in summer. What’s more, the crystal-clear waters are always inviting for sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. The lake derives its name from the Gold Rush mining town that lies underneath the water.

At two locations near shore, there are rental services for boats and other boating equipment, so you can be sure you’ll have whatever you need for a complete boating adventure. Besides water-based recreation, hikers can make their way to Whiskeytown Falls over 200 feet high.

Both primitive and tent/RV camping options are provided at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area that lies in the southeastern shore area of the lake.

Take a quick detour to Chico to visit the air museum that features important pieces that tell beautiful stories about aviation. The Chico Air Museum is home to aircraft as well as space and aviation artifacts that inspire and educate tourists. You’ll be able to learn about the history of flight here.

When you arrive here, you could either go to the Outdoor Museum that features propeller and jet aircraft, or the Indoor Museum where the artifacts and pictures about aviation are displayed. Even more, a research library is available if you’re willing to learn more. Before you leave, endeavor you stop by the Gift Shop to get a souvenir before hitting the road.

More fun opportunities in Chico are available at Bidwell Park where you can swim, hike, stargaze, ride on horseback and mountain bikes. Stop for a burger at Burgers and Brew as you drive through Chico on your way to Henry W. Coe State Park.

Welcome to Henry W. Coe State Park in Morgan Hill, California which lies on a terrain that’s as rugged as it is beautiful, featuring steep canyons and high ridges. This site, which used to be home to Ohlone Indians, now features resplendent flora and diverse fauna, including mountain lions.

Open year-round, this park attracts hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, picnickers, and equestrians. If you love to take pictures of wildlife, nature, or just scenic sites, then come along with your camera. Pets are allowed in some parts of the park.

Facilities that you’ll be able to make use of while you’re here include museums, a visitor center, historic/cultural sites, and vista points. Family and group campsites are available for guests to stay overnight. In addition, primitive campsites are provided too. RVs up to 22 feet can fit into the available sites here, while trailers are not to exceed 20 feet.

The perfect place to bring this adventure to an end before arriving at Anaheim is Los Padres National Forest. This National Forest, which spans more than 2,600 square miles, features rivers, streams, beaches, and mountains, all of which offer interesting recreation opportunities to visitors. The highest point in the park is about 9,000 feet above sea level.

There's plenty to do while here. You may choose to stick to activities that can be enjoyed around the waters in the park such as swimming, boating, fishing, and kayaking. Alternatively, you can engage in wildlife-related activities such as hunting and photography, or share meals in any of the picnic areas in the Forest. Hiking, horseback riding, and winter sports are also popular here.

As far as camping is concerned, several options are available to choose from, from primitive to modern sites equipped with developed amenities.