About COEUR D'ALENE
Overview Coeur d'Alene Campground is situated on Melvern Lake on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills of Kansas. Visitors come for the area's wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. Find a virtual tour of Melvern Lake at http://www.photographyoptions.net/images/melvern/tour.html Recreation Melvern Lake impounds nearly 7,000 acres of water on the upper reaches of the Marais des Cygnes River Valley. Boating and swimming are popular activities on the lake. Anglers fish for walleye, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, black bass, white bass, striped and smallmouth bass. The 18,000 acres of land surrounding Melvern Lake provide plentiful hiking and hunting opportunities. The two trails that join the campground are the Breakwater Trail and the 4 mile Tall Grass Heritage Trail which connects Coeur d' Alene Campground to Arrow Rock Campground. Hunters may find deer, quail, turkeys, ducks, rabbits and squirrels throughout the area.Facilities The campground offers 47 campsites, 33 of which have electric hookups. Site 1 is an accessible site with 50-amp electric, water and sewer hookups. Sites 2-8, 34-43, 50 and 55 have 30-amp electric with water hookups. Sites 44-49, 51-54 and 56-60 are basic 30-amp electric. Two group day-use picnic shelters with electric hookups are available as well. Several family picnic sites can be used on a first come, first served basis. Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. A boat ramp, dock, marina and fish cleaning station are located on-site, as are an overlook, two nature trails, three playgrounds and a swim beach. Click Here for a Virtual Tour (http://www.photographyoptions.net/images/melvern/tour.html) Natural Features The Flint Hills represent America's last expanse of intact tallgrass prairie, made up mainly of big bluestem, switchgrass and Indian grass. The rolling hills on the south side of the lake are somewhat wooded, but trees and shade are
How to Get There
From US-75, take the Melvern Exit and travel 2 miles south on Melvern Lake Parkway, then 1 mile northwest on Coeur d'Alene Parkway (campground road).
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to COEUR D'ALENE
Heading to COEUR D'ALENE? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for COEUR D'ALENE?
No central reservation system listed for COEUR D'ALENE. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233462) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to COEUR D'ALENE?
From US-75, take the Melvern Exit and travel 2 miles south on Melvern Lake Parkway, then 1 mile northwest on Coeur d'Alene Parkway (campground road).
How do I contact COEUR D'ALENE?
You can reach the park at phone: 785-549-3318 or email: Melvern@Nwk.usace.army.mil.
References & Official Resources
