As Coeur d’Alene continues to prosper and grow, the parking situation downtown has changed a lot. In this article we want to eliminate any confusion you may have and help you understand your parking options downtown. All told, there are about 2,180 public parking spaces in downtown CDA. About 1250 of those spaces come with at least two hours of free parking, making downtown more accessible for everyone.
Let’s start by identifying all the free parking available in Coeur d’Alene.
Free Parking in Coeur d'Alene:
1) Street Parking: First off, remember there is always free, two-hour parking along the streets of downtown from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Monday-Saturday. On Sunday, there is no two hour limit to the free parking along those streets. It’s also good to note that from Labor Day to Memorial Day there is free Saturday Parking with no time limits.
2) East McEuen: Another great, free option, is the East McEuen lot beneath the library and city hall, on 8th street. There is unlimited free parking in this lot, and since it is so close to the playgrounds and Tubbs Hill, it makes for a great resource.
3) Parking Garage: Many have noticed there is no longer free, two-hour parking at McEuen. The good news is, you can now get two free hours at the new parking garage at Coeur d’Alene and 4th street.
4) Handicap Parking: I’d also like to point out that handicap parking throughout the city is free and unlimited. Make sure to take advantage of those designated spots if you have a permit.
In addition to the free parking scattered throughout Coeur d’Alene there are also many convenient, paid, parking options throughout downtown. Following is a list of those locations and some instructions to make your experience with them stress-free.
Paid Public Parking in Coeur d'Alene:
1) McEuen Parking Lot: As many are already aware, the McEuen Parking lot is centrally located and easily accessible from the end of 3rd Street or 6th Street. The cost to park in this lot is $1 per hour. As with many of the private lots in downtown, this lot has parking kiosks that allow you a convenient way to pay. To use the kiosk simply enter your license plate number, payment information and amount of time you need. With the new and improved system, you no longer need to put the receipt on your dash. Your car and the amount of time you purchased will appear in the city’s database. If you are looking for an even better way to pay, try using the Call To Park app. It will allow you to purchase your hours mobily and extend the time if you run out.
2) Private Parking: Throughout the city there are smaller lots that use this same kiosk and app system. You can find where each of these is located using the GPS feature on the Call To Park app.
3) Parking Garage: Last, but not least, the new parking garage is a great option for anyone wanting easy access to downtown. Located at 4th and Coeur d’Alene, as we mentioned, the first two hours at this lot are free. Make sure to grab a ticket from the machine on your way in and scan it on your way out. It will calculate your hours and charge you accordingly. After the first two hours it is $1 per hour.
I hope this article has shed some light on our parking options and will help you make more informed decisions about where to park in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Continue enjoying our beautiful town and all it has to offer!