8 Close-Knit Towns To Visit In Idaho
Admitted to the Union in 1890, the “Gem State” of Idaho is a fascinating place of discovery that forms an important part of America’s Pacific Northwest Region. The nation’s 14th largest State, Idaho, is known for its beautiful natural landscapes and its rich agricultural and forestry sectors. Though the major cities of Boise (the State capital) and Meridian remain the most well-known, the “Gem State” is also home to a number of equally captivating and welcoming smaller towns. Here, a real sense of close-knit communities can be experienced, where guests can enjoy some of the best of the outdoors and the unique cultural ambiance of the American Northwest. So come visit Idaho through a stop in these delightful towns and see why it truly is a gem waiting to be discovered!
Driggs
The seat of Teton County, the town of Driggs, is beautifully situated within Eastern Idaho’s Teton Valley and along the Teton River. With a modern foundational history dating to the 1880s, today, just over 1,800 residents call this close-knit community home. Enjoy warm summers and cool winters here while awesome views of the aforementioned River, the Teton Mountain Range, and, of course, the Valley are stunning no matter what the season. Meanwhile, beyond Driggs’ natural splendor, guests can also enjoy a number of inviting cultural events that are perfect for all ages of visitors. Take in the unique sights of the Teton Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival in the summertime, admire the special snow sculptures at the Driggs Snowscapes, or even enjoy some of the best of the Bard’s works at the Shakespeare in the Park Festival.
Moscow
The town of Moscow lies in the Idaho Panhandle near the border with the State of Washington. A welcoming mid-sized town with a population of just over 25,000 inhabitants, Moscow serves as the seat of Latah County, where picturesque views and a charming ambiance come together. Home of the University of Idaho (1889), a close-knit college camaraderie can certainly be felt here, and in addition to spending time at the beautiful campus, tourists can enjoy upwards of 17 splendid park areas in town. Enjoy opportunities for picnicking, hiking, cycling, jogging, or even just soaking up the sun in a climate known for its hot summers and mild winters.
Meanwhile, make sure to visit the imposing Moscow Mountain, which at nearly 5,000 feet high offers spectacular panoramas of the town below. From there enjoy an afternoon at the Columbia River Plateau where chances to go rock climbing and even horseback riding make for quite them memorable excursion.
Add in fun cultural events like the Moscowberfest, the Moscow Comedy Festival, and the Mountain Music Fest, amongst others, and visiting this awesome northern Idaho town will surely leave one wanting to schedule a return trip.
Challis
Situated in central Idaho, Challis serves as the seat of Custer County, which just over 1,000 residents call home. Founded in the 1870s, Challis remains a delightful snapshot of small-town America, where a close-knit community spirit welcomes all who visit. Known for its hot summer and cool winter climate, the town is a most desirable spot for all who love the outdoors. Visit the local hot springs, go fishing down by the Salmon River, or go hiking and biking in the surrounding mountainous area.
Furthermore, be sure to visit the unique Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, which, in addition to its sprawling 521 acres of natural beauty, also offers guests the chance to learn about the mining history of Idaho. One can even try their hand at gold panning! There are even a few ghost towns within the park’s confines that transport guests to another world. Add in a number of landmarks in the town proper that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Challis surely creates a most memorable experience for all who visit.
Stanley
Stanley is home to a very humble population of just over 100 residents, but for what the town may lack in size, it compensates with some of Idaho’s most stunning natural vistas. Beautifully located within the Sawtooth Valley in Custer County, there is indeed never a shortage of breathtaking mountain panoramas here which include the Sawtooth, Salmon River, and White Cloud chains. Adjacent to the sprawling Sawtooth National Recreation Area, visitors will find over 700 miles of hiking and biking trails here with brilliant mountain framing. Add in great fishing spots and pretty campsites, and any time spent in this park area will surely create memories to last a lifetime. One might even see wildlife like black bears and big horn sheep!
Meanwhile, in town proper, a cute assortment of local businesses, like the Mountain Village Restaurant and Sawtooth Spirit store, create a most inviting and close-knit community feel. Add in events like the summer Sawtooth Valley Gathering music festival, and this seemingly small town suddenly comes alive with big-time fun.
Lewiston
Founded in the 1860s and named for Meriwether Lewis of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, the town of Lewiston is a beautiful community with a modern population of just over 34,000 inhabitants. The seat of Nez Perce County in the Idaho Panhandle, Lewiston, is also scenically situated at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, and outdoor lovers can certainly rejoice when visiting this town. Spend time at the beautiful Modie Park Conservancy right in the center of town, while great opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing can be enjoyed at the unique Hells Gate State Park.
Meanwhile, the history enthusiast should not miss out on the Nez Perce County Historical Society Museum, which lovingly commemorates the contributions of the region’s indigenous peoples to the growth of Idaho. Finally, visitors of any age can enjoy Lewiston’s eclectic range of cultural events, which include the Dogwood Arts Festival and the Lewiston Roundup Rodeo.
Bonners Ferry
The seat of Boundary County in the Idaho Panhandle and near the border with Canada, Bonners Ferry is a pretty mountain town with a modest population of just under 3,000 residents. Scenically set along the Kootenai River and with a modern history dating to the late 19th century, the most charming Bonners Ferry offers a most welcoming downtown district that defines what a close-knit community is all about. Stop by eateries like the Rusty Moose Tavern and Grill, while browsing through the antiques at Selkirk Northern Treasures is a great way to bring a piece of Americana home.
And of course as a river town, guests will never find a shortage of scenic opportunities to go camping, sailing, fishing, swimming, and even some wildlife watching. Enjoy hot summers and cool winters here, while additional green spaces like Riverside Park are a welcoming spot for everyone.
Sandpoint
Sandpoint is another stunning alpine destination in the Idaho Panhandle, and indeed, any lover of the outdoors will not want to miss out on this welcoming and close-knit community. With a population of just under 8,700 residents and the seat of Bonner County, Sandpoint has long been a popular place to enjoy some of the Pacific Northwest’s best ski and snowboard slopes. Home of the famous Schweitzer Mountain Resort, outside of winter guests can also enjoy the other outdoor offerings that Sandpoint has to offer. Spend time on the shores of the vast Lake Pend Oreille, which spans an incredible 148 square miles. Here pleasing chances to go swimming, fishing, and sailing are ideal outings for a relaxing vacation.
Meanwhile a visit to the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society botanical garden is a visual delight, while driving along the International Selkirk Loop scenic byway of which Sandpoint is a stop is a photogenic treat that the young and old can appreciate.
Sun Valley
The home of “America’s First Destination Ski Resort,” the town of Sun Valley is a beautiful community of just under 1,800 inhabitants in central Idaho. Take to the slopes of Bald and Dollar Mountains and enjoy a unique elevation of nearly 6,000 feet, while pretty blue skies and year-round cool temperatures make Sun Valley a comfortable place to visit throughout the year. Indeed, outside of the winter sports, spring and summer are also enjoyable here, and opportunities to go mountain climbing, cycling, hiking, and even fly fishing make this a most welcoming place of adventure. Add in cute eateries like the Pioneer Saloon and shops like the Sun Valley Mall, and a warm sense of community is never far away. And do not forget about the nearby town of Ketchum, where one can see the Ernest Hemingway Memorial and grave site, a definite must-visit for any lover of American literature.
When visiting Idaho, it is not difficult to see why it has earned the moniker of the “Gem State,” and indeed, any time spent in the various small towns here is a rich experience for any age. Though major urban centers will always have their share of attraction, it is surely the smaller and close-knit communities that give guests a more intimate feeling of the State they are visiting. This holds true for Idaho, and destinations like the stunning Stanley and the historic Challis are great examples of some of the best of small-town America and the Pacific Northwest. So wait no longer and come see the “Gem State” of Idaho through an exploration of these inviting, charming, and close-knit towns. They will create a most picturesque and heartwarming set of memories that the young and old will be talking about for years to come!
