Seasonal closure for BLM’s Blackwell Island begins October 10

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Coeur d'Alene Field Office

Media Contact:

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho –The annual seasonal closure for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Blackwell Island boat launch and recreation area will begin at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Boaters wishing to use the launch lanes to remove watercraft for the season should do so by the evening of Oct. 9. The BLM plans to reopen the site for the 2024 season just before the Memorial Day weekend.

From mid-October through May, boaters are encouraged to use the BLM’s Mineral Ridge boat launch on the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene, which is open year-round. Day passes are $6 per day or the annual $40 season pass covers parking at both Mineral Ridge boat launch and the Blackwell Island recreation area. Season passes can be purchased by visiting the BLM Coeur d’Alene District Office at 3232 W. Nursery Road in Coeur d’Alene, or by calling the office at 208-769-5000.

BLM’s Blackwell Island is a popular dog walking site during the off season and walk-in visitors are reminded to avoid parking directly in front of the main entrance gate to allow BLM maintenance personnel access to the site. Dog walkers and other walk-in visitors are encouraged to use the highway parking area just south of the main gate at the intersection of Highway 95 and Fairmont Loop Road during the seasonal site closure.    

Proceeds from the collection of fees at BLM recreation sites go directly back to the facilities to fund maintenance and other improvements for the public’s benefit. In recent years, fees have supported general maintenance at the site as well as dock and boat launch repairs.

For additional information about BLM’s Blackwell Island Recreation Site call (208) 769-5000 or visit:  https://www.blm.gov/visit/blackwell-island 


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.