8 Ideal Idaho Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2024

Measuring 80,000 square miles, Idaho is the 11th largest US state by area. Consisting of varied landscapes that include dramatic mountains, scenic river valleys, and sprawling forests, the Pacific Northwest state is just as beautiful as it is vast. However, despite its spectacular natural beauty, Idaho is not often thought of as a top tourist destination outside of its large cities like Boise, Meridian, and Idaho Falls. But scattered throughout the Gem State’s wide open spaces are plenty of small towns perfect for a three-day getaway. From lakeside communities like McCall to urban oases like Garden City, these cozy towns have something for every traveler looking for adventure amid Idaho’s picture-perfect wilderness.

McCall

McCall is a picture-perfect mountain town situated amid Payette National Forest and adjacent to Payette Lake. But there’s more to McCall than just its breathtakingly beautiful setting. An ideal place to spend a three-day weekend, the quaint community is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Ponderosa State Park offers hiking, biking, swimming, and wildlife watching, while Payette Lake is the perfect place for watersports, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, and canoeing. Recreation areas like Art Roberts Park, Legacy Park, and Davis Beach are also must-visit downtown destinations. A year-round getaway, McCall has the highest snowfall in Idaho and is a great place to spend a winter weekend. Cold weather activities abound, with places like Brundage Mountain Resort and nearby Tamarack Resort offering a plethora of activities. Whatever the season, no trip to McCall would be complete without a stay at the historic Hotel McCall in the heart of downtown.

With its bustling downtown area, relaxing hot springs, and plenty of local festivals, markets, and events, the quaint community has something for every traveler. After a long day outdoors, visitors can relax at one of the area’s hot springs, including Burgdorf Hot Springs and Gold Fork Hot Springs, both less than an hour away. McCall weekend guests can also get a glimpse into area history with a visit to the Central Idaho Historical Museum, sample local craft beer on the McCall Ale Trail, or enjoy a scenic drive to nearby Deep Lake for a short hike and spectacular scenery.

Garden City

Dubbed an “oasis from the ordinary,” Garden City is a small community on the outskirts of the state capital, Boise. Garden City’s Boise River location and Boise National Forest provide a beautiful natural setting and abundant nearby recreational opportunities, including rafting, tubing, fly fishing, hiking, and biking. The town is also full of green spaces where visitors can enjoy Garden City’s most idyllic landscapes and exciting activities. Popular downtown spots include the Boise River Greenbelt, Heron Park, River Pointe Park and its Pollinator Garden, and Esther Simplot Park. Within Boise and near Garden City, Boise Whitewater Park is also a must-visit destination for outdoor adventurers.

Visitors spending a three-day weekend in Garden City will find more to the quaint Idaho town than its picture-perfect river and forest landscapes. Full of history, culture, and offbeat attractions—whether it is a day at the Idaho Pinball Museum, events like the Western Idaho State Fair, Treeport Music Fest, and Boise Music Fest, or a stroll on the Garden City Artisans Pathway—Garden City has something for everyone. Garden City also has more wineries, cideries, and breweries per square mile than any other town in the Gem State. For the perfect day, spend the afternoon sampling the area’s best beverages and exploring bustling Chinden Boulevard before having a good night’s sleep at the scenic Riverside Hotel.

Stanley

Located in Idaho’s spectacular Sawtooth Valley, Stanley is a year-round destination that’s perfect for a three-day weekend getaway. The dramatic Sawtooth Basin is a scenic backdrop to the area’s best outdoor recreation. From crystal-clear mountain lakes like Sawtooth Lake, Redfish Lake, and Alice Lake to climbing and hiking the White Cloud and Salmon River ranges, there are activities for every type of outdoor enthusiast. More popular Stanley activities include fishing the Middle Fork River, rafting and boating the Salmon River, and biking or horseback riding on the area’s many beautiful trails. When the temperatures drop, Stanley also becomes a bastion for winter sports, including backcountry and Nordic skiing. Whatever the season, the nearby Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch provides guests with a tranquil western retreat close to all Sawtooth Basin attractions.

Idaho has over 100 soakable hot springs, many of which can be found in Stanley and the surrounding area. Stanley area locations include Dagger Creek, Basin Creek, and Norman Pond, while nearby spots like Slate Creek, Pine Flats, and Bonneville are just a short scenic drive away. More Stanley activities include year-round motorsports at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area’s many trails, town events like street dancing and live music on the lawn, sunset cruises on Redfish Lake, and learning about local history at the Stanley Museum.

Rexburg

The seat of Madison County, Rexburg is a small Idaho city of just over 40,000 residents. Home to the Brigham Young University-Idaho campus, Rexburg has the perfect combination of lively attractions and outdoor activities. Additionally, the university city’s proximity to some of the region’s best outdoor attractions makes it a great base camp for exploring the area. Beautiful Idaho spots like Island Park and Mesa Falls are less than an hour away, while popular nearby destinations like Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are great overnight trips. The Fort Henry Historic Byway is another wonderful way to explore the area. Combining history and nature, the two-plus hour route begins in Rexburg and meanders through scenic Eastern Idaho. To make the most of a three-day weekend road trip, stay a night (or two) at Rexburg’s Raspberry Garden Luxury Hotel & Suites or the nearby Blue Heron Inn in Rigby.

Rexburg is more than just a gateway to the beauty of Eastern Idaho. An extremely walkable downtown area makes it easy to explore the university city. Enjoy local attractions like the Legacy Museum, The Museum of Rexburg, and local green spaces like Nature Park, or take a short drive to Cress Creek Trail or Rigby Lake. Whether it is exploring area history or enjoying local favorites, the Rexburg area has something for everyone.

Priest River

Priest River is a hidden gem located in Idaho’s Panhandle region. Sitting at the intersection of two rivers—the Pend Oreille River and the Priest River—and surrounded by the beautiful Selkirk Mountain Range, Priest River is a mecca of outdoor recreation and stunning natural beauty. Popular activities include world-class fishing at local lakes and rivers, including Coeur d'Alene Lake, Lake Pend Oreille, and Priest River; hiking at nearby Priest Lake State Forest’s Chimney Rock and Mount Roothaan Trail; biking the Selkirk Loop, and visiting the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars.

Located along the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage Scenic Byway and part of the International Selkirk Loop, Priest River is also an idyllic spot to spend a three-day weekend exploring the area. Within two hours of Priest River, there are plenty of sightseeing spots, from scenic towns like Coeur d’Alene to historic Wallace. Additionally, Priest River’s location makes it easy for an overnight adventure. Nearby, Kellogg has plenty of welcoming accommodations, including the lovely Silver Mountain Resort—a year-round destination that’s home to North America’s longest gondola.

Sandpoint

Sandpoint is located in Northern Idaho, just 60 miles from the Canadian border. With its Rocky Mountains backdrop and Lake Pend Oreille setting, Sandpoint has it all: stunning natural beauty, epic outdoor activities, and proximity to some of Northern Idaho’s most beautiful towns. Home to year-round recreation, Sandpoint has plenty of activities for all seasons: Schweitzer Village offers skiing, hiking, biking, and lodging, while Idaho’s largest lake—Lake Pend Oreille—is perfect for fishing, camping, boating, and wildlife watching. Priest Lake State Park is another area destination just one hour from Sandpoint where visitors can hike, bike, boat, and enjoy crystal-clear Priest Lake.

For those looking to stay in the Sandpoint Area, Sand Creek is a great place for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, while local hiking trails like The Gold Hill Trail and Evans Landing Trail offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. Whether taking a road trip or exploring Sandpoint’s many attractions, the small mountain town is a wonderful place to spend a three-day weekend. From famed resorts like Schweitzer Village to the luxe Lodge at Sandpoint, there are accommodations for every type of traveler.

Salmon

Central Idaho’s Salmon Valley is a scenic small town on the outskirts of Idaho’s Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, a vast Protected Wilderness Area near the Salmon River. Rugged landscapes abound and outdoor recreation is plentiful. Whether it is rafting, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and wildlife watching on the Salmon River; biking, horseback riding, and hiking on the Lewis & Clark Trail or the Nez Perce National Historic Trail; or cross-country skiing at the Williams Lake Area or The Sacajawea Cultural and Interpretive Center, there is something for every outdoor enthusiast looking for adventure. Salmon is also known for its motorsports, with plenty of local trails for off-road vehicles. Those looking to unwind after a long day outdoors can also max and relax at local hot springs like Sharkey Hot Springs and Horse Creek Hot Springs.

Salmon is more than just a bastion for outdoor recreation, there is plenty of history here, too. Learn about the region’s rich heritage and walk in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark with a variety of activities. Visit the Lemhi County Museum and take a guided tour of Lemhi Pass; visit The Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, & Educational Center; and explore the Tower Creek Pyramids—each site offers a unique glimpse into Salmon history. Salmon Valley is also a great basecamp for exploring the area’s scenic byways like the Sacajawea Historic Byway or the Lewis & Clark Back Country Byway over a three-day weekend. Both Syringa Lodge and Stagecoach Inn offer convenient accommodations for any road trip to the surrounding area.

Bonners Ferry

Located in Northern Idaho, Bonners Ferry is part of the picturesque Kootenai River Valley, Just 30 minutes from the Canadian border, Bonners Ferry is known for its outdoor recreation and quaint, small-town feel. One of the largest rivers in the state, the Kootenai River is a secluded spot offering fishing, boating, and wildlife watching, while the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is a forested escape complete with hiking trails, a visitor center, and an auto tour route. Brush Lake is another popular area attraction known for its mountain biking. Bonner’s Ferry also has a historic side. To catch a glimpse, stroll the cozy downtown and visit the Pearl Theater, the Pelton Wheel, the Boundary County Museum, and the Fairbanks-Morse Generator Plant—all testaments to the mountain town’s rich heritage.

Bonners Ferry is also known for its scenic drives—perfect for exploring the area during a three-day weekend. The Myrtle Peak-to-Snow Creek drive (and its Myrtle Peak hike), the breathtaking Wildhorse Trail Scenic Byway, and the Pend Oreille Scenic Byway are just some of the region’s renowned road trips. After a long day on the road, the Kootenai River Inn Casino and Spa offers guests a luxe lodging experience complete with gaming, fine dining, and spectacular river views.

Discover the Best of Idaho's Small Towns

Distinctive landscapes, unparalleled year-round recreation, and quaint, small-town vibes make these Idaho communities the perfect places to spend a weekend retreat. Scenic drives and epic hikes, crystal clear lakes and rivers, and dramatic mountain scenery combine in these cozy havens—whether it is the untouched wilderness of Salmon and Bonners Ferry or bustling resort towns like Sandpoint and Priest River, these beautiful spots showcase the very best of the Gem State.