8 Darling Small Towns In Idaho
Among the 50 US States, Idaho ranks 14th in terms of total land area and the 13th least-populous state situated in the Pacific Northwest subregion of the American West. Acclaimed for its unbeatable landscapes and backcountry adventures, Idaho decorously upholds its ratified sobriquet, the ‘Gem State.’ Apart from the state’s bustling metropolitan cities like Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Coeur d’Alene, and the state capital, Boise, there are many teeny settlements strewn throughout this landlocked state that are deemed its real treasures. Each of these postcard-pretty towns nestled among unsullied natural settings bewitches globetrotters with their eye-popping mountain spectacles, compelling histories, local festivals, and multifarious open-air activities. So, what is all the waiting for? Quickly assemble your backpack and join us as we set out to explore these darling Idaho towns.
Salmon
Lemhi County’s administrative center, Salmon, is an enchanting alpine hamlet in east-central Idaho, right on the margin of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Lauded for its awe-inspiring sights and hassle-free access to ample outdoor recreation, the town invites outdoor enthusiasts to partake in fishing sessions along the Salmon River or engage in hiking and white-water rafting activities. Additionally, peruse the fine art collections at the Purple Easel Gallery, eclectic pieces of handmade jewelry at Goodenow Designs, museums like the Sacajawea Interpretive Cultural & Education Center, and Lemhi County Historical Museum - where you can acquire knowledge about the region’s history, walk down the trails of the Goldbug Hot Springs, and take a scenic drive to Lemhi Pass.
Wallace
Christened after William R. Wallace - a native farmer, this seat of Shoshone County sits in the Idaho Panhandle’s Silver Valley mining district alongside the transcontinental Interstate 90 highway and Coeur d’Alene River’s South Fork. Nicknamed the ‘Silver Capital of the World,’ Wallace charms visitors with its umpteen contributing properties in various architectural designs that line the uncluttered streets of the Wallace Historic District. When visiting the town, a tour of the hypnotic historical points of interest like the Wallace District Mining Museum, Crystal Gold Mine, Oasis Bordello Museum, Northern Pacific Railroad Museum, Barnard-Stockbridge Museum, and Sierra Silver Mine will take one back to the Wild West days. Furthermore, spare time to take note of the premier rail-trails: the Tail of the Coeur d’ Alenes, the Route of the Olympian, and the Route of the Hiawatha; and try to attend any of Wallace’s annual community celebrations such as the Huckleberry Festival & 5k Walk Run, Craft Beer Fest, Fall for History Festival, Wallace Blues Festival, and Home for the Holidays Christmas Festival.
Stanley
Stanley, baptized in honor of the Confederate Civil War veteran Captain John Stanley, is a panoramic Custer County community that occupies the Sawtooth Valley in Central Idaho, wholly limited by the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This flourishing 116-inhabitant settlement is widely known for its striking high-altitude settings and multiple recreational activities like hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, camping, backpacking, etc., offered at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Holidayers get to observe a number of wild creatures, such as bighorn sheep, black bears, and elk, which have made the recreation area their home, as well as a variety of crystal-clear alpine lakes, including Stanley Lake and Redfish Lake. Also, browse the downtown’s one-of-a-kind retail stores, boutique shops, and comfy restaurants like Sawtooth Hotel Restaurant and Mountain Village Resort Restaurant & Saloon, besides attending the yearly events such as Stanley’s Fourth of July celebrations, Sawtooth Mountains Mamas Craft Fair, and Sawtooth Valley Gathering.
McCall
An enticing resort destination on the western extremity of Valley County, McCall is placed adjacent to the southern banks of Payette Lake, near the Brundage Mountain Resort, the Ponderosa State Park, and Burgdorf Hot Springs. At present, this erstwhile logging community is a four-season tourist hotspot where there is no shortage of outdoor recreational activities. McCall Ale Trail is a preferable way to survey local shops and sample good quality beer from breweries like McCall Brewing Company and refined Northwest food in the relaxed settings of The Narrows Steakhouse. The Little Ski Hill, located exactly two miles west of the town, entices adventurists of all ages with its over 18.6 miles of cross-country ski trails. More than 60,000 people head to McCall every year during the week-long Winter Carnival to participate in a variety of events like parades, live music, games, and fireworks.
Sandpoint
Sandpoint, also labeled as ‘kamanqukuⱡ’ in the Indigenous Kutenai language, is the biggest community and seat of Bonner County, occupying Lake Pend Oreille’s northern banks. Encircled by the grand Selkirk, Bitterroot, and Cabinet Mountain ranges, this all-year-long holiday retreat is placed on the Wild Horse Trail and Pend Oreille National Scenic Byways as well as the well-known International Selkirk Loop. During the warm season, Lake Pend Oreille is the best place to enjoy guided cruises and paddling, swimming, and fishing activities, while the cold season is perfect for Nordic skiing and downhill tubing at the Schweitzer Mountain Resort. An animated creative community, the magnetic downtown of Sandpoint is brimming with local retail stores, art galleries like Artworks Gallery, museums like the Bonner County Historical Society & Museum, the iconic Panida Theater, and intimate food joints like Baxters on Cedar. Merrymakers are especially lured to the town’s seasonal events, including Sandpoint Winter Carnival, the Lost in the 50s vintage car show, and Festival at Sandpoint summer music festival.
Sun Valley
Sun Valley, home to 1,783 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, is set in the pictorial Wood River Valley in Blaine County, proximate to the city of Ketchum. Skiers and snowboarders crowd to this ‘America’s First Destination Ski Resort’ in huge numbers to engage in Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and downhill skiing activities. An extensive array of winter pursuits take place around the grandiose Sun Valley Resort, Dollar Mountain (whose gentle slopes are fitting for newcomers), and Bald Mountain (whose lengthy runs are fitting for expert skiers). Analogously, wander the uncounted trails framing Sun Valley, get ready to play a round of golf at the Trail Creek Golf Course, and hang out with loved ones amidst the lush foliage of the Sawtooth Wilderness Area.
Hailey
Entitled ‘Hailey’ in honor of John Hailey - an American politician and a US Congress delegate from Idaho Territory, this Blaine County seat of government occupies the focal point of Wood River Valley in the midst of the Rockies of Central Idaho. Hailey sits aesthetically on the verge of Sawtooth and Challis National Forests, providing entertaining activities throughout the year. Besides being an ideal starting point for skiers and snowboarders who head to the nearby Ketchum and Sun Valley, visitors touring Hailey must tour the Blaine County Historical Museum and take note of the existent landmark structures on a walking tour arranged by the Historic Preservation Commission. Revelers must attend the ‘Days of the Old West Rodeo’ - a three-day annual celebration during the Independence Day weekend at the Hailey Rodeo Grounds, along with the ‘Trailing of the Sheep Festival’ in October and other heritage events that substantially stimulate Hailey’s local economy.
Driggs
Set up by Don Carlos Driggs and Benjamin Woodbury Driggs, Jr., in 1888, Driggs is an indefectible hillside community in Eastern Idaho’s Teton Valley that forms a portion of the Jackson, WY-ID Micropolitan Statistical Area. Holidaymakers visiting this Teton County seat of government are ensorcelled by the stupefying views of the Teton Range, the circuitous Teton River, and the circumambient Grand Teton National Park. Driggs also provides hassle-free access to the Grand Targhee Resort in western Wyoming, which in turn offers all-encompassing Nordic skiing trails plus other winter recreations. Addedly, one can also turn up at the Teton Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival, ‘Music on Main,’ Plein Air Arts Festival, Shakespeare in the Park, and Winter Snowfest.
From the artistic habit of Sandpoint to Sun Valley - ‘America’s First Destination Ski Resort,’ each tiny community in the Gem State woos sightseers with their specialized personalities. All these towns superlatively showcase the indifferent beauty, unusual historical landmarks, and cultural offerings of this beautiful Pacific Northwest state. Planning a daycation or an extended holiday trip to gorgeous locales in the Potato State? These darling towns ought to be included in your travel programs.
