Arrival & Departure
Watson's is a self check-in property. We'll send your door code and a short driving note in the pre-arrival email a day or two before you get here. If you need anything along the way, your phone almost certainly works at I-90 Exit 40 — coverage thins out the rest of the drive.
- Check-in: anytime after 3:00 PM. Check-out: by 11:00 AM.
- Early arrival or late departure is sometimes possible — ask us when you book, never a guarantee on the day.
- Door code arrives by email and text the day before your arrival.
- On departure: dishes in the sink, trash in the bins by the parking pad, used towels piled in the bathroom, lights off, door pulled shut.
- Left a unit in unusual condition? We'll reach out before charging anything to the card on file. Honest accidents are part of running a lodge — we just want to know.
Quiet Hours & Neighborly Living
We're a small property on a still lake. Sound travels farther here than you'd expect, especially after dark, and one Bluetooth speaker on the dock can carry across five stays. Please be the kind of guest you'd want next door.
- Quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
- No outdoor music after 10:00 PM. Indoors is up to you.
- Voices carry across water — even a normal conversation on the dock at midnight will travel.
- If something across the property is keeping you up, text us. We'd rather hear it from you than read about it later.
Pets
All five units are pet-friendly — your dog is welcome at Izzy's, Pop's, the Safari Tent, the Geodesic Dome, and the Tavern Loft. The trade for that flexibility is a few specifics so the next guest's stay (and the next dog's) is just as good.
- Let us know in advance — number of dogs, rough size — so we can prep the unit and the bowls.
- Two dogs per unit, max. If you're traveling with more, call us — we sometimes flex it.
- Leash on all common areas: lawn, dock, pathways, and the Tavern patio.
- Crated or with you when unattended in the unit. Not on the beds or upholstered furniture.
- Pet waste: bag it and bin it. The woods are not a yard.
- Pet PFDs on watercraft — let us know in advance if you'll need one.
- Service animals are always welcome, no fee, no advance notice required.
Lake, Dock & Watercraft
Rose Lake is calm and inviting and that's exactly the way that gets people in trouble. The water shallows up fast in places near the dock, and the bottom is rockier than it looks.
- Idaho law requires a properly fitted PFD for every person age 14 and under on any watercraft. We keep a small range of sizes at the dock shed.
- No diving from the dock — depth varies and there are submerged rocks.
- Children under 12 should have an adult on the dock with them.
- Fishing requires an Idaho license; pick one up online at idfg.idaho.gov before you arrive.
- No overnight moorage for non-guest boats. Guest watercraft can stay at the dock during your stay.
- Pet PFDs for any dog on the water — see the Pets section.
Fire, Smoke & Grilling
Northern Idaho summers are gorgeous and dry. We're surrounded by working forest, and a single un-watered fire pit is a real risk between July and October. Please err on the side of overcautious.
- Campfires in the provided fire pits only — never on the lawn, the dock, or near the trees.
- Fully extinguish before you leave the pit or go to sleep. Water it twice, stir the ashes, water it again.
- Idaho Department of Lands publishes Stage 1 and Stage 2 fire restrictions through the season — we'll let you know if restrictions change during your stay.
- All indoor spaces (including vaping) are non-smoking. Designated outdoor smoking areas are marked away from unit entrances and the dock.
- Charcoal grills are provided at the cabins. The Tavern Loft has a gas grill on the deck.
- S'mores supplies are complimentary at every fire pit. Use them.
Parking, Vehicles & Bikes
Most guests show up with one car. Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes cyclists usually show up with bikes on a rack and dust in the tires.
- One vehicle per unit at the assigned space near your door. Second-car overflow is in the lot by the entrance.
- Bikes inside the unit or under the porch overhang overnight — not leaning on deck rails.
- E-bike charging on porch outlets is fine. Don't leave a charging battery unattended overnight.
- Trailers (boat, utility): let us know at booking so we can point you at the right spot.
Guests, Visitors & Occupancy
The whole property sleeps 17 across the five units. Each unit has its own cap, and that cap is what we plan linens, parking, and check-in for.
- Per-unit maximums: Izzy's Log Cabin 2, Pop's Log Cabin 2, Safari Tent 2, Geodesic Dome 3, Tavern Loft 8.
- Day visitors are welcome until 9:00 PM — a heads-up text is appreciated.
- No overnight guests beyond your booked occupancy. If your group grew after booking, call us and we'll figure it out together.
- Renting the whole property for an event or reunion? We do that often — see Events for details.
Wildlife & The Outdoors
You are not the only mammal here. Bears, moose, elk, and the occasional cougar all move through the watershed, and most of the time you'd never know it.
- Coolers, groceries, and trash inside at night — not on the porch.
- If you see a moose, give it fifty feet. They're calmer-looking than the bears and more dangerous.
- Wildfire smoke days: we close the dock and open up indoor seating at Red's. Check the air quality app you trust before heading out for hikes.
- Ticks are real, mostly May through July. Long socks on the trail, check yourself when you get back.
- Winter access: the driveway is typically clear by morning. Chains in the trunk are a good idea November through March.
Damages, Lost Items & Maintenance
The fastest way to fix something is to tell us early. We'd rather refund part of a night, swap you to another unit, or send Sarah down with a fresh towel than read about it in a review.
- Text the property line for anything that's not working — (208) 582-8939.
- Honest accidents happen. Quiet damage is what costs everyone. Just tell us.
- Lost and found is held for 30 days. We'll ship items at your cost.
- If you smell gas, hear running water you can't find, or see smoke — call, don't text.
Cancellation & Refunds
Our policy is the same one shown at booking and quoted in your confirmation email — that version is the one that governs your specific stay.
- Cancellations 14 or more days before check-in: full refund.
- Cancellations within 14 days of check-in: deposit forfeited.
- No-shows: charged for the first night.
- Severe weather, family emergency, or anything unusual — call us. We treat these case by case, and our reputation is built on doing it well.
Question about any of this? We'd rather you ask than guess. Send us a note or call (208) 582-8939.
