John C. Pointner MWS

Constructed in 2014, the 1.2-mile John C. Pointner Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary trail is located just a few miles south of Coeur d'Alene. The trail lies in the 155-acre parcel managed by the BLM, which was acquired from Mr. Pointner in the early 2000s. John C. Pointner had dedicated much of his life to preserving the Cougar Bay wetland and protecting the many species of wildlife and birds in the area. His wish upon his death was to have the area retained for the public to enjoy and appreciate the natural setting. In 2021, the BLM acquired an additional 88.5 acres of adjacent lands from The Nature Conservancy. Through the acquisition, the public enjoys permanent public access to the area as well as an additional one-mile of hiking trail. Visitors to the Cougar Bay natural area can experience the unique habitat for a variety of migratory birds, waterfowl and a range of wildlife. Hikers can take advantage of filtered views of the City of Coeur d'Alene and Lake Coeur d'Alene from the viewing platform as a reward for their efforts.