Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch
Hayden, Idaho
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5/day
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch
Honeysuckle Beach is the City of Hayden's official public swim beach and boat launch on the east shore of Hayden Lake, Idaho, established in 1992 through grant funding and community donations. It is one of only two public access points on Hayden Lake, and for anyone looking for a lake to swim in near Hayden it is the town's swimming hole of record, with a designated swim area alongside a boat ramp, volleyball court, and seasonal concession stand.
The beach sits on the east end of Honeysuckle Avenue in Hayden, on the shore of Hayden Lake, a large natural lake in the Idaho panhandle near Coeur d'Alene. It was developed in 1992 as a community park combining swim, boating, and picnic facilities in one small waterfront lot.
Swimming at Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch
Swimming takes place directly off the lakeside beach in Hayden Lake. The city describes the facility as unguarded and swim-at-your-own-risk: a beach attendant (not a certified lifeguard) is present Wednesday-Saturday in summer, non-swimmers are strongly encouraged to wear personal flotation devices, and parents are required to supervise children in the water. No water depth or bottom-condition details are published by the city.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at the east end of Honeysuckle Avenue in Hayden, Idaho, on the east shore of Hayden Lake; the city notes it is one of only two public access points on the entire lake.
Parking: On-site parking is provided. Vehicles using the boat ramp are limited to a half hour before they must be relocated, and overnight parking is not permitted.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up city beach and boat launch; the swim area is immediately adjacent to the on-site parking lot with no trail or hike required.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
City of Hayden describes Honeysuckle Beach as unguarded and swim-at-your-own-risk; a beach attendant (not a lifeguard) is present only Wednesday-Saturday in summer. The city recommends PFDs for non-swimmers and requires parents to supervise children in the water. Beach entry appears to be a gentle lake shoreline (no cliffs/waterfalls), but no depth or bottom-condition info is published, so care is warranted for small children.
Parking
Free
On-site city parking lot for beach/park visitors. Separate from beach parking, vehicles using the adjoining boat ramp are limited to a 30-minute window and must then be relocated; overnight parking at the ramp is prohibited. The boat ramp itself requires a paid launch permit ($5/day in-state, $10/day out-of-state, or $40-$60 annual), but this fee applies to boat-launch use, not to beach/parking access generally.
Restrooms
Yes
Seasonal public restrooms on-site per the City of Hayden parks page; exact building type/location and operating dates beyond the general summer season are not specified by the city.
Hours
No general posted hours for the beach/park itself. The seasonal concession stand (operated by All State 38 Inc.) runs daily 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., June 15-September 7, weather permitting, per the city's parks page.
On the water
The site is officially named 'Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch' and includes a public boat ramp with a city-run motorized-watercraft permit system (daily/annual, in-state/out-of-state fees), confirming motorboat use. The city's boat-launch permit page does not enumerate craft types or state whether hand-launched, non-motorized craft (kayak, canoe, paddleboard) are exempt from the permit or otherwise restricted, and no no-wake-zone or speed-limit information for Hayden Lake could be found this session, so those points are left unconfirmed rather than assumed.
Backstory
Established in 1992, the city describes the park as built through grant funding plus roughly $20,000 in community donations, calling it 'a true testament to community support.'
Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch: FAQ
Does Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch charge a fee?
No city-stated fee for beach/swimming access itself. The adjoining boat launch requires a paid permit: $5/day in-state, $10/day out-of-state or for watersport/commercial use, or annual permits of $40 (in-state) / $60 (out-of-state), purchasable online or at the Honeysuckle ramp kiosk. Fee waivers exist for qualifying disabled Hayden residents.
Is Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch kid friendly?
City of Hayden describes Honeysuckle Beach as unguarded and swim-at-your-own-risk; a beach attendant (not a lifeguard) is present only Wednesday-Saturday in summer. The city recommends PFDs for non-swimmers and requires parents to supervise children in the water. Beach entry appears to be a gentle lake shoreline (no cliffs/waterfalls), but no depth or bottom-condition info is published, so care is warranted for small children.
Do I need to hike to reach Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch?
On-site city parking lot for beach/park visitors. Separate from beach parking, vehicles using the adjoining boat ramp are limited to a 30-minute window and must then be relocated; overnight parking at the ramp is prohibited. The boat ramp itself requires a paid launch permit ($5/day in-state, $10/day out-of-state, or $40-$60 annual), but this fee applies to boat-launch use, not to beach/parking access generally.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch?
The site is officially named 'Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch' and includes a public boat ramp with a city-run motorized-watercraft permit system (daily/annual, in-state/out-of-state fees), confirming motorboat use. The city's boat-launch permit page does not enumerate craft types or state whether hand-launched, non-motorized craft (kayak, canoe, paddleboard) are exempt from the permit or otherwise restricted, and no no-wake-zone or speed-limit information for Hayden Lake could be found this session, so those points are left unconfirmed rather than assumed.
When is the best time to visit Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch?
Summer, consistent with the concession stand's published operating window of June 15 through September 7.
What are the rules at Honeysuckle Beach - Recreation Area and Launch?
Swim-at-your-own-risk facility with no certified lifeguard; a beach attendant is on duty Wednesday-Saturday in summer only. Non-swimmers are encouraged to wear PFDs, and parents must supervise children in the swim area. Boat launch permits must be displayed on the vehicle (annual sticker inside lower-left windshield, daily permit on the dash), and overnight parking at the ramp is prohibited.
