10 Best Small Towns in Idaho for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Idaho towns are incredible destinations to visit not just because of their charm and fewer crowds but also because they are conveniently positioned close to or in the middle of some of the best attractions in the state. For outdoor enthusiasts, particularly, many Idaho towns offer satisfying experiences. For example, Sandpoint, a town on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, which is Idaho's largest lake, is surrounded by three massive mountain ranges, which set the stage for many exciting adventures, from hiking to boating. Uncover more towns like Sandpoint in Idaho that promise outdoor enthusiasts endless adventures.
Riggins
Riggins is a small town of below 500 residents with an incredibly satisfying outdoors. The town is steeped in the Salmon River Canyon and at the meeting point of the Salmon and Little Salmon Rivers. Both rivers are aquatic playgrounds for kayaking, rafting, paddling, and jet boat tours. Also, the town's backcountry has more than 50 lakes for trout fishing and beachfront relaxation.
For road trip lovers, Riggins is 19 miles from Heaven's Gate Overlook. It presents incredible views of four states (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana), Seven Devils Mountain, and Hells Canyon, North America's deepest gorge with the Snake River running it.
Hailey
Hailey is a small Wood River Valley city surrounded by the Sawtooth National Forest, with plenty of outdoor activities to indulge in. The forest, west of Hailey, is home to the Rotarun Ski Area, one of the best places to enjoy winter activities like skiing and snowboarding. At the same time, over 700 miles of hiking trails await hikers visiting the national forest in summer. Other exciting activities in the forest include fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking in the Sawtooth Mountains, and backpacking.
Sawtooth National Forest also hosts plenty of lakes like Stanley, Redfish, Pettit, and Altura, which are great for water sports. In addition, the Big Wood River that runs through the town is a scenic destination for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
Salmon
Salmon is a small charming town framed by the Salmon River Mountain, where outdoor enthusiasts are promised unforgettable moments. To begin, visitors are encouraged to rent a boat or canoe and explore the Salmon River's scenic waters and its middle fork's headwaters. This river also offers incredible fishing experiences as it hosts some of the best salmonid trout in the country
Alternatively, visit the Shoup Bridge Recreational Area to marvel at the impressive Shoup Bridge. Capture this architectural masterpiece with a camera alongside gorgeous views of the Salmon River. Proceed to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness area to see wildlife and enjoy more activities like whitewater rafting and hiking.
Bonners Ferry
Bonners Ferry is naturally lovely as it is encircled by three mountain ranges, with the Kootenai River slicing through its downtown. These endowments also make it an exciting place to be outdoors. While the mountain ranges are great for biking, climbing, and hiking, the river is perfect for boating, fishing, and kayaking. Wildlife lovers can spend time at the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for beers, moose, elk, and beavers.
Cap the experience in the most memorable and exhilarating fashion by driving through the Wild Horse Scenic Byway to behold the enchanting beauty of the 150-foot Cooper's Fall in Kootenai National Forest. The waterfall's trailhead is near the Canadian border and can be accessed via an easy 1.4-mile loop trail.
Stanley
Stanley is a scenic mountain town in central Idaho at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains. It is framed by elegant alpine landscapes, making it a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition, sitting north of Hailey, Stanley also shares a border with the Sawtooth National Recreational Area, where multi-purpose trails abound for hikers and bikers. Alpine lakes are abundant in this area, notably Redfish Lake, the largest lake in the recreational area where visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and paddling adventures.
Stanley Lake is another exciting waterbody, but it is located around 7 miles from the town, at an elevation of 6,513 feet above sea level. This lake offers thrilling views of McGowan Peak, one of the alpine peaks of the Sawtooth Range.
McCall
McCall is that small town in Idaho where outdoor adventurers can fulfill their wildest outdoor desires. The city is positioned on the shores of Payette Lake, which is the ideal place to wander around, swim, boat, fish, hold picnics, and take memorable pictures. Also, the Payette National Forest surrounds this town and beckons outdoor buffs to enjoy hiking, fishing on its rivers and lakes, soaking in the hot springs, and skiing downhill in winter. Ponderosa State Park is another attraction in McCall that offers exciting outdoor activities like camping, picnicking, and wildlife watching.
Priest River
Priest River is a beautiful town positioned on the backdrop of the Selkirk Mountains and at the confluence of the Priest and Pend Oreille Rivers. Both rivers invite visitors to enjoy fishing, hiking, boating, and swimming experiences. Priest River, the origin of the town's name, offers 42 miles of floatable water, while the Priest River Experimental Forest is always an interesting place to explore. In this exotic forest, visitors can browse its beautiful collection of plants and flowers, most native to the region. If visiting in July, join the town's Timber Days festival to learn more about its lumberjack tradition.
Sandpoint
Sandpoint is close to the Canadian Border and is one of Idaho's most inviting mountain towns and a hiker's paradise. Nature lives here, with three mountain ranges overlooking the town and the scenic Lake Pend Oreille overlapping its borders. The lake is the largest in the state at 43 miles long, and it offers thrilling boating, fishing, swimming, sunbathing, and camping activities. Plus, the lake is home to City Beach Park, which features a picturesque soft sand beach for gazing at the sunset and picnicking.
For hikers, explore the 3.7-mile loop trail of the Gold Hill Trailhead and head to any mountain to hike around and enjoy views of nature. In addition, the Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers a chairlift service for visitors to savor panoramic views of the lake and the stunning mountain scenery.
Sun Valley
The resort city of Sun Valley is an amazing destination endowed with the Sawtooth National Forest on one of its sides, with lakes, mountains, rivers, and hundreds of trails to explore. At the same time, Bald and Dollar Mountains await on the other side for the best winter skiing experiences. The town also features Sun Valley Lake, an excellent place for kayaking and canoeing.
In addition, over 400 miles of hiking and biking trails are spread all through the valley, begging adventurers to come to indulge. Some of the top trails include the Wood River, Bald Mountain, and Proctor Mountain Trails.
Island Park
Island Park is a nature lover's delight and a place for extraordinary adventures. The Island Park Caldera surrounds this small town, and for outdoor buffs with a thing for geology, it is worth noting that this is one of the world's largest volcanic craters. Island Park also features Harriman State Park, just three miles from the city, which is a great place to see wildlife, such as grizzly bears, elk, and moose. Just east of the town is the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, where one can experience jungle sightseeing adventures.
On the town's southern end is the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, where fishing and boating adventures are offered. Those visiting from the town's south corner can drive through the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway and stop to see Mesa Falls, one of the state's most iconic and enchanting falls.
Idaho is a state where nature and serenity harmonize to give outdoor enthusiasts a treat. In the small towns of the Gem State, tourists and vacationers are often spoiled with many outdoor attractions that beg to be enjoyed. These small towns are hard to forget when one leaves and even harder to leave once any visitor arrives. From the picturesque landscape and array of outdoor pursuits at the Sawtooth National Recreational Area to the many mountains and lakes of Sandpoint and Stanley, Idaho towns are loaded with things that will force even the most introverted person outdoors.
