8 Picturesque Towns in Idaho for a Weekend Retreat in 2024

You do not know this (or maybe you do), but Idaho happens to contain the greatest number of gemstones in the whole of the US—hence why it is called the Gem State. And although the state is also abundant with ghost towns from the Wild West, there are also lively and picturesque towns in Idaho suitable for a weekend retreat in 2024. Between major landmarks such as Shoshone Falls and the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve are mountainous settlements like Sandpoint and Stanley, or places by Idaho’s rivers such as Salmon and Priest River. When it comes to being photo-worthy, these picturesque towns of Idaho will not disappoint the cameras. This year, spend your weekends in Idaho’s picturesque small towns.

Wallace

Wallace is one of four cities in the US listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is because Wallace was once a silver-mining town in the Silver Valley mining district of the Idaho Panhandle. Much of the town’s history can be best reviewed during the Sierra Silver Mine Tour in the Bitterroot Mountains. Another epoch in Wallace’s history includes the Pulaski Tunnel Trail from when a deadly wildfire engulfed the town in 1910.

Landmarks such as the Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum and the Center of the Universe—the latter being a manhole cover decorated with symbols representing the former mines in the area—contribute much to Wallace’s status in modern history. Photographers might be invested in the Route of the Hiawatha and Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Both paths lead to the Coeur d'Alene National Forest, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in America. No need to worry about your belongings, because establishments like Hercules Inn, Wallace Inn, and Ryan Hotel will keep your stuff safe and sound in Wallace.

Stanley

The sterling town of Stanley can be found deep in in the Sawtooth Valley, a vale flanked by several mountains such as Horstmann Peak, Thompson Peak, Observation Peak, Grandjean Peak, and Mount Regan. From atop Elephant's Perch—one of the most familiar Classic Climbs in North America with over 25 established routes—you can get an excellent picture of Stanley in the Sawtooth Valley. You might also want to take photographs of Lake Stanley, Redfish Lake, the Salmon River, Sawtooth Lake, and Saddleback Lakes which are also referred to as “Shangri La.”

More opportunities for Idaho’s wilderness await at the Boise National Forest and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the latter allowing visitors to ride Stanley’s stallions. Much of the indigenous cultures in the Sawtooth Valley can be best appreciated at the Stanley Museum, and remote destinations like Custer and the Yankee Fork State Park have ghost towns that harken to Idaho’s gold-mining days. Only about three hours from Idaho City, seek your evening comforts at either the Redfish Riverside Inn or Valley Creek Lodge.

Salmon

The town of Salmon on the Salmon River is close to the birthplace of Sacagawea, the Native American woman who aided Lewis and Clark on their journey across America. She was specifically born in the Lemhi Valley, which is surrounded by the Bitterroot Mountain Range and the Continental Divide. The Sacagawea Interpretive, Cultural, & Educational Center provides more insight into the life and attitudes of Sacajawea and her people of the Lemhi Valley.

Outside of pivotal historic figures, Salmon is approximate to several abandoned ghost towns such as Gilmore, Leesburg, and Shoup which were all created due to the Great Depression. All over town are the Wildlife Bronzes, masterpieces created by local artist Rober Deurloo. And outside of town are excellent areas for exploration like the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. So if you are curious to see more of Salmon, then you should seek your accommodations at the Sacajawea Inn, Syringa Lodge, or Salmon River Inn.

Priest River

Approximately 22 miles from Sandpoint, Priest River is a humble little town on the banks of the Pend Orielle River. Backgrounded by the Selkirk Mountain Range, the Priest River Experimental Forest is a great place for photographers to take memorable pictures of Priest River’s ecosystems. These same woodlands have benefited Priest River’s development as best learned from the Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center.

Additionally, Mount Roothaan and a granite spire called Chimney Rock are also exciting landmarks to take pictures of, while the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars and Grantie Falls are soothing destinations to take a break from metropolitan hassle. Every year on September 9, the townsfolk participate in a bicycle race spanning from Washington, Canada, and Idaho along the International Selkirk Loop called WaCanId Ride. For those of you who wish to spend a longer time in Priest River, you can always stay a while in fine hostels such as Eagle’s Nest Motel.

McCall

Call yourself a taxi and head out to McCall, a rejuvenating resort town on the western perimeter of Valley County. So named after the town’s founder, Tom McCall, travelers can enjoy the town’s simple delights like the waters Payette Lake and the sceneries of the Payette National Forest and the Ponderosa State Park. Go snowboarding and skiing at the Brundage Mountain Resort and Tamarack Resort. Newcomers and locals alike can participate in a handful of snow-sculpting activities during the McCall Winter Carnival. Since the 1930s, the McCall Fish Hatchery has been a great place to see many diverse fish species deep in the mountains of Idaho. Only about two hours away from the city of Boise, let the relaxing accommodations of the Hotel McCall, Nordic Inn, and Shore Lodge sate your daily and nightly needs.

Sandpoint

Surrounded by the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains—part of the great Rocky Mountain Ranges—Sandpoint entreats visitors to a vast array of resorts and lodges in Idaho. One can traverse the Long Bridge that crosses over Lake Pend Orielle and the Pend Orielle River, which then leads to the Schweitzer Mountain Resort for those wanting access to Sandpoint’s challenging mountains. The Bonner County History Museum displays several artifacts of the Native American groups that resided in the area, whereas the Museum at the Brig discusses the military history of Sandpoint. More leisure and exploration can be experienced at the Lakeview Park—home to the Kinnikinnick Native Plant society’s arboretum—and the Kaniksu National Forest. For those of you seeking the laidback pleasures and mountainscapes of Idaho, then you should definitely seek accommodations in one of Sandpoint’s lush lodgings like the Schweitzer, Hotel Ruby Ponderay, or Pend Oreille Shores Resort.

Garden Valley

Want to traipse about in the Boise National Forest, the Payette River, and the Sawtooth Mountains? Then do so by traveling about 53 miles from the city of Boise and into the vivacious town of Garden Valley. On the Payette River, you can experience all manner of whitewater rafting in the height of summer. Autumn is the best time for hunters to head out to the Boise National Forest as it is the only season of the other three that hunting is permissible in the Boise National Forest. As for the winter, the Terrace Lakes Resort on the Sawtooth Mountains provides plenty of skiing opportunities for those wanting to sled down the Sawtooth Mountains. Should you ever grow exhausted and tried from all the seasonal activities in Garden Valley, then let the warm accompaniments of the Three Bears Inn offer something that is just right.

Island Park

Island Park is a convenient stopover or endpoint 35 minutes away from the Yellowstone National Park. With its location at the mouth of an ancient volcanic caldera, Island Park features several natural attractions such as the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and the Island Park Dam, the latter mitigating the flow of Crow Creek. The Snake River finds its origins from the headwaters of Big Springs, while Mesa Falls and Cave Falls contains a few artifacts from the Nez Perce Native Americans who once inhabited the area. There are many more lush and vibrant secrets to uncover in Island Park, so for those of you wanting to explore more, you can always book a room at the Riverfront Retreat, the Lakeside Resort & Lodge, or Harper’s Cabin.

Conclusion

As one of the most mountainous towns in America, Idaho has a network of sinuous routes and trails that will surely burn away carbs before you arrive in the most picturesque small towns for a weekend retreat in 2024. Let the Rocky Mountains serve as a dynamic background for your photographs once you arrive in mountainous towns like Stanley and Sandpoint. Seek out extinct volcanoes in Island Park, or unearth a past full of mines and minerals in almost-ghost towns such as Wallace. So when you are in need of a weekend retreat this 2024, look towards the literal and metaphorical gems of Idaho, most especially the picturesque small towns there.