These Small Towns In Idaho Come Alive In Fall
When people think of fall foliage, the state of Idaho is not first on the list of tourists, but it should be. The Rocky Mountains on the west blend with the rolling hills of the Palouse on the east and the great conifer forests of the north. Idaho is filled with charming small towns, mountain hikes, road trips, and natural beauty that come alive during fall. From Lake Pend Oreille to the Silver Valley to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, one has plenty of places to tour the fall foliage. It might be hard to choose which route to take, but rest assured that one will find adventure in the wilds of the Gem state.
Moscow
Moscow, Idaho, is normally known as a college town as it is home to the University of Idaho. What is not known is how beautiful the foliage, mountains, and rolling hills are during Autumn. Moscow is set along the eastern edge of The Palouse Range in the Columbia River Plateau. The Palouse is known for its hilly farmland, extending for miles along western Idaho and eastern Washington. During September, the golden wheat fields and bright, green grasslands form a beautiful patchwork surrounding the small town's edges.
One should visit from late September to late October to see the best color. The nearby Moscow Mountain is a stunning backdrop to the town, covered in dark green conifer trees, aspens, and other local vegetation. For "Leaf Peepers" (a term used to describe Autumn tourists), a visit to the University of Idaho's Arboretum is a must. One will find several varieties of maple trees, box elder, cottonwoods, and more. A walk through the park area is both awe-inspiring and peaceful and will satisfy the heart of any Autumn admirer.
Priest River
Approximately 2 ½ hours north of Moscow, travelers will run into the town of Priest River. This town is just 7 miles south of the Canadian border and is surrounded by mountains full of the evergreens that are natural to the area. The scenery here is so stunning that it is beautiful at any time of year, but it really shows off come Autumn. The town of Priest River is well known for the International Selkirk Loop, which runs from Priest River to Sandpoint to Bonners Ferry and is one of the most beautiful drives from Spring through Autumn for its panoramic vistas. Priest River is located at the base of the Selkirk Mountains, which are filled with various types of fir, pine, and old-growth cedar trees. During the fall, Leaf Peepers can see various rich, golden aspens, flaming maples, and a thread of scarlet oaks winding through the mountain range. More varieties can also be found lining the streets of this simple and sleepy gem of a town.
Sandpoint
If one continues to follow the International Selkirk Loop, the next stop on this Fall foliage tour of small towns would be Sandpoint. This town is located right along the shores of one of the most beautiful and largest lakes in Idaho: Lake Pend Oreille. The town and lake are surrounded by three dramatic mountain ranges: the Selkirk, Bitterroot, and Cabinet Mountain ranges. At any time of the year, you literally have a 360-degree view of some of the most amazing scenery in Idaho. In Sandpoint, one can enjoy the array of Fall colors in a variety of ways. Adventurous tourists might enjoy hiking along one of the numerous hiking trails in the area. From the Pend Oreille Bay trail that runs right along the edge of the water to the Schweitzer Nature Trail that is found at the Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, one has a large collection of solitary trails to choose from. One can also simply enjoy a slow walk through any one of several parks in Sandpoint to enjoy the town's rich history as well as the colors of the Ash, Elm, Cottonwood, Maple, or several other deciduous trees that have been planted and cared for by the local residents.
Wallace
The next town is about a two-hour drive southeast of Sandpoint and is called Wallace. It was originally settled as a silver mining town and is still active in those operations. It was also the filming location for the movie Dante's Peak. Wallace is nestled in the Silver Valley right up against Silver Mountain and is set in the heart of the Idaho National Panhandle Forest. It's a charming little town, and when the Autumn rains set in, the colors of the trees light up. Much like other towns in Idaho, Wallace is rich with saffron-colored aspens, hemlocks, and burnt orange maples.
Some of the best places to view the Fall foliage are along the hiking trails. One of the more picturesque and moderately easy hikes is the Pulaski Tunnel Trail, which runs 2 miles and is filled with waterfalls, history, and a variety of Autumn foliage. One can also wander the historical streets of Wallace and be awed by the distant vista the bright fall colors make against the dark green of the Douglas firs and Lodgepole Pine trees.
Elk City
If getting away from it all is preferred, then one should consider Elk City, which is set in the middle of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. Elk City is usually bypassed by most tourists as the town only claims approximately 200 residents. Found at the end of Highway 14, Elk City was originally a gold mining town and once had a large number of residents. When the mines closed, so did the town. However, if camping in rugged natural beauty, listening to the sound of the birds in the forest, and meditating quietly on the changing of the leaves in the fall is more appealing, then a visit to this area should be considered. Elk City is also where the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness begins. It is the largest continuous wilderness in the lower 48 US states and is filled with magnificent vistas. If a tour by car to see the Fall foliage sounds more appealing, the Elk City Wagon Road or Gold Rush Loop offers a 3-to-6-hour trip on mostly gravel roads. Be cautious about the weather conditions, and be sure to plan ahead.
McCall
Though this next small town is popular during winter, it also has great draws during the Autumn season. McCall, Idaho, is set on the southern shore of Payette Lake and in the heart of the Payette National Forest. It's a wonderful town for all Leaf Peepers who want picture-perfect moments among the fall foliage. When the colors are at their peak (usually in October), it is the best time to visit as the weather is temperate, the mosquitoes have disappeared, and cool nights smell delicious with the aroma of campfire smoke and crisp leaves.
Beyond the gloriously changing colors of the local trees, one can find Burgdorf Hot Springs, Payette Lake, and Ponderosa State Park, all near the town of McCall. Ponderosa State Park is just 1 ½ miles away and offers a gorgeous drive through the park for those who prefer a more relaxing way to experience the Autumn leaves. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are several campsites, hiking trails, river rafting trips, and more to choose from. Each offers its own unique experience of the Autumn season and endless, striking vistas of the changing leaves.
Island Park And Mesa Falls
Found on the far Eastern side of Idaho along the border of Wyoming and not far from Yellowstone, Island Park is one of the prettiest towns in Idaho, with the longest Main Street in America. The town runs alongside part of Island Park reservoir with its cobalt blue waters. Its northern part meets Henry's Lake and runs down Highway 20 to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The best time to see the Autumn foliage is from the middle of late September to the middle of October. Island Park is one of the highest elevations in Idaho and therefore, the leaves turn earlier. With the evergreen backdrop of the Subalpine Firs and Whitebark Pines, the bright yellow leaves of the Aspens and flaming red leaves of the Dwarf Euonymus are sublime.
A quick mention should be made of Mesa Falls, which is close to the small town of Ashton. Just south of Island Park, a scenic byway leads to Mesa Falls. A short walk from the visitor center leads to the Upper Mesa Falls. This waterfall is not only impressive for its elegant and powerful cascade but it is surrounded by some of the most exquisite fall foliage and greenery. It's one place that seems to come straight from a storybook. The scenic Mesa Falls byway also offers some moments of awe as one travels under curtains of yellow birches and other deciduous vegetation.
The Takeaway
These seven towns in Idaho offer an Autumn holiday spectacular enough to rival any East Coast displays of Fall foliage. Whether one chooses a road trip through the International Selkirk Loop, a short stroll along the boardwalk to awesome Mesa Falls, a visit to the University of Idaho's Arboretum, or an exhilarating hike along Schweitzer Nature Trail, leaf peepers will definitely want to put Idaho at the top of their bucket list for future Autumn foliage getaways.
