12 Off The Beaten Path Idaho Towns
Idaho has slices of mountains here and plains there. A piece of the Cascadia bioregion blows into its borders. There is no debating that Idaho is stunning. The problem is that the secret is out. Some former low-key favorites are now full-fledged tourist towns. Worry not: the Idaho you love is too beautiful to ever disappear. For your next trip to the gem state, stick to these off-the-beaten-path towns and rest easy knowing you dodged the crowds.
Stanley
This three-hour drive from Boise is comfortably tucked away in cliffs 6,253 feet above sea level. As of 2021, the population of Stanley was 122. Getting into Stanley is a treat to begin with. Both the Ponderosa Pine Highway and the Sawtooth to the south are speculator drives. The hiking trails are, quite simply, some of the best in the United States. The sawtooth mountains drop jaws from afar. When you venture up close, it turns out they have secrets. Trails of varying difficulties hide lakes, vistas, and trees that have survived a century of logging.
Wallace
Eight hundred people live in Wallace. The classic small-town America facades of Wallace put it on the National Register of Historic Places, but they only account for the town's short-term tourism. They're good for a photo, maybe a chat. Visit Wallace with the intention of taking off your coat and staying awhile, and you will find the base camp for your next cycling adventure. Planning a trek to the famous Route of the Hiawatha has never been easier. The Trail starts just 20 miles east of Wallace. If the live music of the Blue Raven has you clinging to town, you could always opt to hop on the 73-mile Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, which runs right through town.
Bonner's Ferry
If you drive halfway between Sandpoint and Canada, you will find Bonner's Ferry. The city has a population of 2,500 and an active calendar of events that welcomes guests. Outdoor night skating is a lovely way to commune with both strangers and nature. Call ahead to know when public skates are happening and where. If you feel like getting wild and chill on the same day, the Kootenai River Inn Casino and Spa is always there. The drive and 4.5-hour hike (if you are up to it) to Myrtle Peak will reward you with one of Idaho's best views. Let the mountain air fill your lungs while taking in the sight of Long Canyon.
Sandpoint
A polar plunge is painfully joyous no matter where it happens. The fact remains - the more to share the experience with, the merrier. The January plunge in Sandpoint is a communal, festive affair. If you prefer a warmer swim, the Festival at Sandpoint kicks off in August. A party is never far away in Sandpoint. Mickduff's Beer Hall and Brewery is a nearly century-old brick edifice that was once a post office. Mickduff's brews and serves Naturally North Ales, concoctions free of long-named chemicals found in some pints.
Salmon
Just under 4,000 people live in Salmon, a haven for freshwater lovers near the Montana border. The people you find there know how to navigate the adventures that await. If you are looking for a rafting or kayaking getaway, look no further and pay close attention. Salmon River is known as "the river of no return" for many reasons, chief among them being that you will not want to go home. It is protected by Congress to keep it safe. The wild must stay wild, after all. Be sure to leave no trace of your belongings and always double-check for garbage when getting up from a picnic table.
McCall
Southwest Idaho's Payette Lake was formed by glaciers and became a home to Native Americans for thousands of years. The nearby town of McCall formed spontaneously in the 19th after gold was found. Today, McCall is a peaceful getaway embraced by the surrounding Payette National Forest. January's winter carnival features the Idaho State Snow Sculpting Championships. The art you see will be unforgettable, yet it disappears within hours. Finish your trip with an excursion to the Burgdorf Hotsprings.
Kellogg
Did you know the world's longest gondola is not in Switzerland, nor Argentina, but in Idaho? The just over 3-mile journey starts in downtown Kellogg and ends in snowy Silver Mountain. Some mining still continues near Kellogg. For the most part, however, the 2,300-population town is a winter wonderland. Let the tourist traffic find its way to the Silver Rapids Waterpark and Crystal Goldmine. Kellogg has much more to offer below its pretty surface. The Radio Brewing Company brews a taste of Northern Idaho you will not find anywhere else. When you are ready to leave town, head West on a Coeur d'Alene River adventure.
Victor
If you have the time, the more picturesque route to Wyoming is, without a doubt, the 14.2-mile Taylor Mountain Loop Trail just outside of Victor. At an elevation of 6,000 feet, awe-inspiring trails are everywhere in and around Victor. The town of 2,200 is a hiker's paradise. Christmas is Victor is a romantic choice you will not regret. Pop by later this October for a Halloween-themed dog parade. The Teton Mountain Ranch has cabins that look over the Teton Valley for $150/night. Horseback riding on mountain paths can be booked ahead of time.
Island Park
Island Park rests upon a volcanic caldera. Aspen and Douglas Fir trees speckle the landscape. A number of creeks surrounding the town drain into the Snake River. Each of these contains hidden water holes to make memories in. Camping accommodations at the Caribou-Targhee National Forest are easy and plentiful. The US Forest Service website contains a long list of cabins to choose from. Many of them can fit large families for that epoch-defining event you have been secretly planning for years. Island Park is only a 30-minute drive from Yellowstone. Let it be your respite if you need a vacation from a Yellowstone family vacation.
Hailey
Airline passengers landing at Friedman Memorial Airport typically continue on to their pre-booked ski vacations at Sun Valley. Travelers in the know stay in Hailey for a spell. The rising population is still below 10,000, for now. Some secrets are hard to keep. How can one expect to keep a small town with over 15 parks to themself? CK's Real Food has some pricey items, but it's the easiest way to taste the best of what the land has to offer. Dang's Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar will shock your tastebuds to life. The Wicked Spud burger joint features outdoor chess tables and occasional live music.
Preston
Preston refers to itself as "one of the best-kept secrets in the West." An undoubtedly true sentiment among tourists is but a wink to rodeo goers. The city of over 5,000 near the Utah border has hosted intense roping competitions for over 80 years. Pop'n Pins Bowling boasts the cheapest lane rates in Cache County. El Tapatio Restaurante serves authentic Mexican food without breaking the bank. When you are ready to move on, Logan's famous Zootah is less than 45 minutes away.
Priest River
To the adventurous, Idaho's Selkirk Mountains are one big jungle gym. In the shadow of the range sits the 1,700-population town of Priest River, near the Washington border. Many places will claim their fauna is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Priest River hosts an experimental forest known officially as the Rocky Mountain Research Station. Check the US Forest Service website for upcoming webinars if you want to learn more about Priest River's truly unique fauna. Once you tire of the namesake river, mosey over to Lake Oreille for relaxing camping and spectacular canoeing. If you cannot make the trip without also making a promise to kids, Athol (and the Silverwood Theme Park) is less than an hour away.
Idaho was one of the last states to join the Union in 1890. Long before statehood, the Nez Percé lived for centuries in the North just as the Shoshone had in the South. As you travel the state, be sure to seek out products besides those made by settler companies. Check out Idaho Rez Rising for a complete directory of Native American-owned businesses in Idaho.
