12 Most Beautiful Small Towns In Idaho You Should Visit
Idaho, the 14th-largest and 13th least populous state, situated in the Western United States’ Pacific Northwest region, is acclaimed for its stunning natural landscapes. Although many travelers associate Idaho with its capital, Boise, there are innumerable beautiful small towns peppered throughout the "Gem State" that are its true gems. Each of these tiny communities captivates thousands of vacationers with mind-boggling mountain panoramas, fascinating histories, unspoiled wilderness areas, and a multitude of outdoor activities. So, whether you are searching for a serene retreat away from the noise of urban metropolises or an attractive locale to spend your next family vacation, these picture-perfect Idaho towns will surely provide you with some unforgettable memories.
Sandpoint
Referred to as ‘kamanqukuⱡ’ in the native Kutenai language, Sandpoint, situated along the northern shores of the 43-mile-long Lake Pend Oreille, is the biggest town and administrative center of Idaho’s Bonner County. Ringed by three majestic mountain ranges: Bitterroot, Cabinet, and Selkirk, this year-round vacation destination sits on the 280-mile-long International Selkirk Loop and the Wild Horse Trail and Pend Oreille National Scenic Byways.
Sandpoint is best known for its vibrant arts community, with the charming downtown lined by local retail stores, art galleries, the historic Panida Theater, the Bonner County Historical Society & Museum, and cozy eateries like Baxters On Cedar, Joel’s Mexican Food, and Trinity At City Beach. During summers, visitors can enjoy guided cruises as well as fishing, swimming, and paddling activities at Lake Pend Oreille, while in winter, the Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers opportunities for Nordic skiing and downhill tubing. Merrymakers are especially drawn to Sandpoint’s annual events, including Sandpoint Winter Carnival, ArtWalk, the Lost in the 50s vintage car show, Long Bridge Swim, and Festival at Sandpoint summer music festival.
Moscow
Placed on the eastern extremity of North Central Idaho’s Palouse region in the Columbia River Plateau, Moscow, Latah County’s seat of government, is immediately north of Lewiston, close to the state boundary with Washington. Home to the University of Idaho, the state’s flagship and oldest public land-grant research university, this adorable college town welcomes students and adventurists to explore the region’s rolling green hills, scenic landscapes, and several miles of hiking and biking trails.
Tourists are also attracted to an array of locally-owned businesses, museums, restaurants, art galleries, and neighborhood parks scattered throughout the town. Moscow hosts various annual festivals, such as the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Renaissance Fair, Rendezvous in the Park, Moscow Hemp Fest, Farmers Market, and Light up the Night Parade.
Stanley
A picturesque mountain town, Stanley, located in Sawtooth Valley in Central Idaho’s Custer County, is completely encircled by the 730,864-acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Named after the Confederate Civil War veteran Captain John Stanley, this thriving community is best known for its dramatic alpine landscapes and the numerous recreational activities like hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, camping, fishing, offered at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Travelers can also witness a variety of alpine lakes (Redfish Lake and Stanley Lake) and have sightings of wild animals like bighorn sheep, elk, and black bears that call the recreation area home. Browse the boutique shops, retail stores, and cozy eateries like the Mountain Village Resort Restaurant & Saloon, Papa Brunee’s, and Sawtooth Hotel Restaurant that line the town’s modest downtown. Stanley celebrates many annual events, such as the Sawtooth Mountains Mamas Craft Fair, Sawtooth Valley Gathering, and Stanley's Fourth of July Celebration.
Wallace
Long famed as the "Silver Capital of the World," this mining town sits along the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River in Idaho Panhandle’s Silver Valley. Stroll through the impeccably preserved streets of the town’s National Register-listed downtown core, brimming with 485 contributing buildings in different architectural styles. A visit to Wallace’s numerous enticing historical attractions, like the Wallace District Mining Museum, Oasis Bordello Museum, Barnard-Stockbridge Museum, Northern Pacific Railroad Museum, Sierra Silver Mine, and Crystal Gold Mine, will transport one back to the days of the Wild West.
The town boasts three of the world’s top-ranked rail trails: the Route of the Hiawatha, the Trail of the Coeur d’Alene, and the Route of the Olympian. Wallace also hosts a myriad of festivals like Craft Beer Fest, Wallace Blues Festival, Huckleberry Festival & 5k Walk Run, Statehood Day Parade, Fall for History Festival, and Home for the Holidays Christmas Festival.
Sun Valley
Sometimes called "America’s First Destination Ski Resort," Sun Valley is in the Wood River Valley in south-central Idaho’s Blaine County, adjoining the city of Ketchum. With only 1,486 permanent inhabitants, hordes of recreationers visit this all-season destination every year to partake in downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing activities.
Most of such winter-related activities take place around the Sun Valley Resort and the two mountains: Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain. During the warmer months, visitors can play golf at the resort’s Trail Creek Golf Course, scout the multiple trails around Sun Valley, and spend some time amidst the greens at the nearby Sawtooth Wilderness Area.
McCall
Tucked along the southern shores of Payette Lake and close to the Brundage Mountain Resort, Burgdorf Hot Springs, and Ponderosa State Park, McCall is an attractive resort town on the Valley County’s western edge. A former logging community, McCall is currently an all-season tourist destination where there is no shortage of outdoor recreation.
The McCall Ale Trail is the ideal way to sample fresh beer from the breweries and restaurants besides browsing the local shops. About two miles west of McCall, the Little Ski Hill, with more than 18.6 miles of cross-country ski trails, attracts adventurists of all ages. Over 60,000 spectators visit McCall during the town’s annual Winter Carnival to experience a variety of events like live music, games, fireworks, and parades.
Salmon
A spectacular Lemhi County town, Salmon is in east-central Idaho, on the outskirts of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Outdoor lovers can engage in white-water rafting, inspect challenging hikes, or indulge in a tranquil fishing session along the Salmon River. Learn more about the region’s rich history at Salmon's Lemhi Historical Museum and the Sacajawea Interpretive Cultural & Education Center.
Stroll through the trails of the Goldbug Hot Springs, gaze in awe at the diverse fine art collections at the Goodenow Designs gallery, and take a scenic drive to Lemhi Pass.
Bonners Ferry
The administrative center of Northern Idaho’s Boundary County, Bonners Ferry, is at the center of the Kootenay River Valley, approximately 27 miles south of the international boundary between the United States and Canada. Abutted by three mountain ranges, the town gradually developed around a fur trading post and ferry set up by Edwin Bonner to help the gold prospectors in the early 1870s. Bonners Ferry’s old-fashioned downtown has been revitalized, with scores of boutique shops, bookstores, breweries, entertainment venues (Pearl Theatre), and delicious eateries lining the pedestrian-friendly streets.
Close to the downtown overlooking the Kootenay River is the Kootenai River Inn Casino & Spa, an outstanding retreat that offers opportunities to unwind in its waterfront setting. Stop by the Boundary County Museum and learn more about the rich heritage of the indigenous Kootenai people. Nature lovers must survey the adjacent Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, enjoy a hike to Copper Falls and Myrtle Falls, or play a round of golf at Mirror Lake Golf Course.
Hailey
Christened after the American politician John Hailey, a Congressional Delegate from Idaho Territory, Hailey, the seat of government of Blaine County occupies the heart of Wood River Valley amidst the magnificent Rockies of Central Idaho. Home to around 8,689 inhabitants, this quaint community sits perfectly at the edge of Salmon-Challis and Sawtooth National Forests, providing exciting recreational opportunities for outdoor lovers all year round. Hailey’s location, about 11 miles south of the Sun Valley and Ketchum resort towns, has made it an ideal base for thousands of skiers and snowboarders.
Take a walking tour organized by the Historic Preservation Commission to check out Hailey’s remaining landmark properties and acquire knowledge about the town’s history at the Blaine County Historical Museum. The Hailey Rodeo Grounds serves as a venue for the "Days of the Old West Rodeo," a three-day yearly event every Fourth of July weekend. Along with this, the annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival and other heritage events significantly boost the local economy of Hailey.
Lewiston
Nez Perce County’s government seat, Lewiston, is at the meeting point of Clearwater and Snake Rivers, about 30 miles southeast of the Lower Granite Dam in North Central Idaho. As the Lewis-Clark Valley’s metropolitan hub and home to the reputed Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston is the region's principal healthcare, regional transportation, professional service, retail, and entertainment center. The town’s unique dry climate aptly supports many water-based recreational activities like fishing, whitewater rafting, swimming, canoeing, tubing, kayaking, throughout the year.
For true adventurers, a trip to the nearby Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is a must to glimpse centuries-old Native American carvings on the canyon's walls. Browse through the various pioneer artifacts at the Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum, Lewis-Clark Center for Arts & History, Jack O’Connor Hunting Heritage & Education Center, and Lewis & Clark Discovery Center in Hells Gate State Park. The town also hosts several yearly community events such as the Dogwood Festival, Christmas Festival, Hot August Nights Concert Series, Lewiston Round Up rodeo, and Avista NAIA World Series for College baseball at the Harris Field ballpark.
Driggs
Driggs, an alpine hamlet in Eastern Idaho’s Teton Valley, welcomes visitors to witness the breathtaking vistas of the spectacular Teton Range, the meandering Teton River, and the surrounding Grand Teton National Park. Founded by Benjamin Woodbury Driggs, Jr. and Don Carlos Driggs in 1888, the warm summers and cold winters make this Teton County seat a pleasant vacation destination.
Driggs provides easy access to western Wyoming’s Grand Targhee Resort, which offers unlimited Nordic skiing trails and other winter activities. One can also participate in celebrations like the Teton Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival, Plein Air Arts Festival, Winter Snowfest, Shakespeare in the Park, and "Music on Main."
Priest River
This beautiful Bonner County town rests in the Idaho Panhandle region at the confluence of the Priest and Pend Oreille rivers, approximately 7 miles east of the state boundary with Washington. Set at the foothills of the awe-inspiring Selkirk Mountains, this small town of fewer than 2,000 inhabitants is an outdoor lover’s paradise.
Hikers can explore the trails that lead to Gisborne Mountain for sweeping vistas and look out for wild animals at the Priest River Experimental Forest. In addition, the town is also a popular stop on the 280-mile-long International Selkirk Loop that follows the pristine rivers and lakeshores, linking scenic byways and offering road trips of a lifetime.
From charming mountain towns to pleasant farm communities, the small towns in the Gem State have something for everyone. Every town showcases Idaho’s natural splendor and impressive historical and cultural attractions, bringing travelers from all over the globe to experience some of the treasures this Pacific Northwest state offers. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and embark on a journey to some of the most beautiful towns in Idaho.
