Spring is in the air, and the sentiments of summer are filling downtown Coeur d’Alene. 

At the center of it all, sits Tubbs Hill.

Its 165 acres on the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene is the beating heart of the outdoorsy life so many in the area treasure.

Morgan Tucker and his dog, Kimber, love the preserved beauty that Tubbs Hill has.

“There is so much beauty. The lake, the eagles, everything,” Tucker said. “I love this place, every weekend I go hiking,”  

According to the Tubbs Hill Foundation's annual report, the east trail entrance saw around 160,000 visitors in 2025. From hobbyists to hikers and runners to swimmers, Tubbs Hill is a pillar of the community.

"There is a lot of history up here, I find old buttons, gold rings, earrings and old bullets,” said Anthony McCallum, while scouring the hill with his coin detector.

Maintaining the hill is no simple task. 

Last year, 125 members of Friends of Tubbs Hill participated in three public cleanup days, 58 acres of fuel mitigation, 13 emergency tree removals, a bridge replacement and constructed 800 feet of aligned trail.

"All of these efforts contribute to both the enjoyment of the hill by visitors and the overall health of the forest," wrote Foundation President David Taylor.

Dave Yadon, a Friends board member, said "Tubbs Hill is being loved to death.

"We are committed to keeping the trails sustainable," he said.

Yadon serves as the leader of trail work. His outreach has made the projects that they undertake a community-oriented affair.

“We have a lot of folks that come back year after year," he said.

Tara Gelhausen and her daughters, Nora and Elise, travel from Spokane to enjoy the pristineness of the hill and lake. 

“Everyone is coming to Coeur d’Alene to hike Tubbs Hill,” said Gelhausen, “It is super accessible … walk a minute and we are right here.” 

Nigel Newberry brought his friend, Peyton Berscheid, for Berscheid’s first trip to the hill. 

“Coming here for most of my life, it's a great walk,” said Newberry. “In town, having a forest close is cool, especially the waterfront. It gives great views.”

Tim Elgee estimated he has hiked the hill more than 500 times. 

“I come out with my older brother, Mike, we try to make it out at least once a week, rain or shine,” said Elgee, “It’s the most important park in Coeur d’Alene. I have always loved Tubbs Hill.” 

Tubbs Hill's status as a free, publicly accessible space grows more important every year, especially as the downtown area urbanizes.

“Open spaces are disappearing,” said Yadon, “and Tubbs Hill is the crown jewel of our area.”   

    Tara, Nora and Elise Gelhausen start their trek around Tubbs Hill.