8 Undiscovered Small Towns In Idaho
Idaho, the 43rd State to be ceremoniously admitted to the Union, is a breathtaking landlocked state in the American West’s Pacific Northwest subregion. Fittingly living up to its official moniker ‘Gem State,’ Idaho is lauded for its extraordinary pristine landscapes. Although buzzing cosmopolitan hubs like Boise, Pocatello, Coeur d’Alene, and Idaho Falls are always in the tourist spotlight, the innumerable teeny communities peppered all over the state’s rocky and forested terrain are many times left undiscovered. Nevertheless, with unfathomable mountain scenery, spotless wilderness areas, engrossing histories, vibrant festivals, and copious open-air activities, these tranquil Idaho towns are ideal locales for a memorable holiday with dear ones.
Driggs
Driggs, established by Benjamin Woodbury Driggs, Jr. and Don Carlos Driggs, is a serene alpine hamlet in Teton Valley that serves as the seat of government of Eastern Idaho’s Teton County. Holidaymakers visiting this enchanting town are captivated by the jaw-dropping sights of the Teton Range, the zigzagging Teton River, and the circumambient Teton National Park. From Driggs, one can also easily access the Grand Targhee Resort in western Wyoming which provides profuse winter recreation besides extensive Nordic skiing trails. Revelers must take some time off to be a part of any of the town’s wonderful celebrations like “Music on Main,” Teton Valley Balloon Rally, Teton Valley Great Snow Fest, and Driggs Plein Air Arts Festival.
Sun Valley
Having just 1,486 permanent inhabitants, Sun Valley, often called ‘America’s First Destination Ski Resort,’ occupies the Wood River Valley of Blaine County in south-central Idaho, proximate to Ketchum. Thousands of skiers and snowboarders flock to this all-season destination year after year to participate in downhill skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and Nordic skiing activities. A majority of such winter-based recreational activities take place around the impressive Sun Valley Resort, Dollar Mountain - whose gentle slopes are apt for beginners and Bald Mountain - whose lengthy runs are perfect for advanced skiers. Likewise, vacationers must recce the numberless trails around Sun Valley, play a round of golf at Trail Creek Golf Course of the Sun Valley Resort, and spend some quality time during summers amongst the leafy greens at the vicinal Sawtooth Wilderness Area.
Hailey
Hailey, the Blaine County seat labeled after John Hailey, Idaho Territory’s two-time Congressional Delegate, is set at the nucleus of Wood River Valley in the midst of the awe-inspiring Rockies of Central Idaho. This quaint 8,689-inhabitant town tucked perfectly at the margin of Challis and Sawtooth National Forests provides exhilarating recreations for outdoorsy types throughout the year. Hailey’s placement, around 11 miles south of Ketchum and Sun Valley, has made it the most sought-after starting point for umpteen skiers and snowboarders. Engage in a sightseeing excursion of Hailey's existing landmark structures arranged by the Historic Preservation Commission and stop by the Blaine County Historical Museum to gain knowledge about the town’s bygone days. Every Fourth of July weekend, the three-day ‘Days of the Old West Rodeo’ is held at the Hailey Rodeo Grounds, apart from other annual heritage events and the Trailing of the Sheep Festival that greatly augment the local economy.
Sandpoint
The administrative center of Bonner County and its biggest town, Sandpoint, is situated along the northern shores of the state’s largest lake - Lake Pend Oreille. Fringed by the lofty Selkirk, Bitterroot, and Cabinet Mountains, this year-round vacationland is placed on the Wild Horse Trail, the International Selkirk Loop, and Pend Oreille National Scenic Byway. Sandpoint is renowned for its dynamic arts community and attractive downtown chock-a-full of retail outlets, art galleries, Bonner County Historical Society & Museum, Panida Theater, and award-winning restaurants like Trinity At City Beach, Baxters On Cedar, etc. Enjoy guided cruises as well as participate in swimming, paddling, and fishing activities at Lake Pend Oreille during summers; besides abundant Nordic skiing and downhill tubing opportunities at the Schweitzer Mountain Resort in the cooler seasons. Every year, fun-filled events like Sandpoint Winter Carnival, Festival at Sandpoint Summer Music Festival, Lost in the 50s vintage car show, ArtWalk, and Long Bridge Swim draw thousands of merrymakers.
McCall
This appealing resort town on the western extremity of Valley County is located next to Payette Lake’s southern banks, near the Ponderosa State Park, Brundage Mountain Resort, and Burgdorf Hot Springs. An erstwhile logging community, McCall is presently a four-season tourist retreat where there is no scarcity of outdoor recreational activities. Using the McCall Ale Trail is the most preferred way to browse the numerous locally-owned shops besides sampling fresh beer from breweries and restaurants. Moreover, Little Ski Hill located precisely two miles west of McCall, entices adrenaline junkies with its over 18.6 miles of cross-country ski trails. The town’s Winter Carnival attracts more than 60,000 spectators to indulge in varied events including live music, parades, fireworks, and games.
Stanley
Stanley, a delightful alpine town occupying the Sawtooth Valley in Custer County of Central Idaho, is entirely circumscribed by the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Christened in honor of Captain John Stanley, a Civil War veteran, this only 116-inhabitant town is widely known for its majestic hilly scenery and multiple fun-filled activities like hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, camping, rock climbing, backpacking, and mountain biking at the abutting 730,864-acre National Recreation Area. Adventurous souls can also observe the large number of lakes created by highland glaciers, including the Redfish, Yellow Belly, Sawtooth, Alturas, Stanley, and Pettit Lakes, besides the wild animals like elk, black bears, and bighorn sheep that inhabit the recreation area. Stroll Stanley’s inviting downtown and peruse the retail stores, boutiques, and homey eateries such as the Sawtooth Hotel Restaurant and Mountain Village Resort Restaurant & Saloon. Spare time to partake in the town’s yearly celebrations like the Independence Day festivities, Sawtooth Valley Gathering, and Sawtooth Mountains Mamas Craft Fair.
Priest River
An adorable Bonner County community, Priest River is located at the junction of Priest and Pend Oreille Rivers in the Idaho Panhandle region, approx. 7 miles east of the state border with Washington. Placed at the base of the stunning Selkirk Mountains, this 1893-inhabitant town is an outdoor lovers' paradise. Hikers must set out to survey the trails that lead to Gisborne Mountain for wide-ranging panoramas and search for different wild faunae at the Priest River Experimental Forest. Additionally, the 280-mile-long International Selkirk Loop - North America’s sole multi-national scenic drive, which follows the lakeshores and undefiled rivers and offers memorable road trips, should be on every traveler's bucket list.
Wallace
Shoshone County’s seat of government, Wallace, is situated by the side of Coeur d’ Alene River’s South Fork in the Idaho Panhandle’s Silver Valley mining district. Dubbed the ‘Silver Capital of the World’ and named after the native farmer William R. Wallace, the immaculately preserved streets of this mining town’s downtown core are lined with countless contributing properties in various architectural styles. When in town, a tour of its prominent sites of interest like the Wallace District Mining Museum, Barnard-Stockbridge Museum, Crystal Gold Mine, Oasis Bordello Museum, Sierra Silver Mine, and Northern Pacific Railroad Museum will haul one back to the Wild West days. Furthermore, the three eye-catching rail-trails: the Route of the Olympian, the Route of the Hiawatha, and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes must not be missed aside from attending any of the town’s myriad annual festivals such as the Craft Beer Fest, Huckleberry Festival & 5k Walk Run, Fall for History Festival, Wallace Blues Festival, and Statehood Day Parade.
From Sun Valley - “America’s First Destination Ski Resort,” to Wallace - the ‘Silver Capital of the World,’ the postcard-pretty small towns are the heart and soul of the 14th largest and 13th least-populous state of the nation. Each town excellently showcases the remarkable attractions of the Potato State, beguiling vacationists from worldwide. Planning a quick day trip or a long holiday? Then, look no further and embark on a journey to these gorgeous undiscovered Idaho towns.
