Top 11 Idaho Towns To Visit In 2025
Idaho has captivated adventurers and explorers since the days of the Wild West when its rugged mountains were rich with precious gems. While many of those treasures have been discovered and taken, the state still boasts hidden gems worth exploring: among them the top 11 Idaho towns to visit in 2025. Alongside well-known attractions like the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve and the breathtaking Shoshone Falls, destinations such as Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry highlight Idaho’s stunning natural beauty. Meanwhile, towns like Wallace and Priest River offer a glimpse into the state’s vibrant modern culture. As you journey through these serene and picturesque towns, you will find plenty to experience and enjoy at a relaxed pace while touring the top 11 Idaho towns to visit in 2025.
Sandpoint
Nestled between the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains, which are both part of the Rocky Mountain Range, the amazing Idaho town of Sandpoint captures the laidback yet exhilarating essence of Idaho. This scenic destination offers a wealth of attractions, from breathtaking outdoor adventures to rich cultural experiences. Crossing the Long Bridge over Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River, you will arrive at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, home to some of the most thrilling and challenging terrain in the region. For a deeper dive into history, visitors can explore the Bonner County History Museum which showcases the heritage of Idaho’s Native American communities. Military history enthusiasts, meanwhile, can tour the Museum at the Brig for a glimpse into Sandpoint’s past. Nature lovers will appreciate Lakeview Park, a sanctuary for the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society’s arboretum, which is also approximate to the Kaniksu National Forest. After a day of exploring, you can unwind at one of Sandpoint’s inviting retreats, such as Schweitzer, Hotel Ruby Ponderay, or Pend Oreille Shores Resort.
Stanley
Stanley, a stunning small town sandwiched in the heart of the Sawtooth Valley, is a serene and untouched getaway to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Idaho and just three hours from Idaho City. Surrounded by the vast Boise National Forest and the rugged Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, this small town is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you are exploring on horseback or hiking through pristine landscapes, adventure awaits at every turn.
The towering peaks around Stanley, including Horstmann Peak, Thompson Peak, Observation Peak, Grandjean Peak, and Mount Regan, offer endless opportunities for exploration. For an unforgettable climbing experience, you can ascend Elephant’s Perch, one of North America’s iconic Classic Climbs and boasting over 25 established routes each with breathtaking views and vistas of the land. Once the mountain air and experiences get you exhausted, you can head down towards destinations like Sawtooth Lake, Stanley Lake, Redfish Lake, the Salmon River, or Saddleback Lakes, often referred to as "Shangri-La,” to cool down in the pristine waters around Stanley. Finally, those with an affinity for history can visit the Stanley Museum to learn about the region’s indigenous heritage. Furthermore, you might be curious to venture into the ghost towns of Custer and Yankee Fork State Park, where remnants of Idaho’s gold-mining era await. When night falls and rest calls, you can enjoy a comfortable stay at Redfish Riverside Inn or Valley Creek Lodge.
Salmon
When entering the town of Salmon, you will be greeted with tons of opportunities for adventure along the banks of the Salmon River. This historic town is near the birthplace of Sacagawea, the Native American woman who played a crucial role in guiding Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their westward expedition. In the Lemhi Valley, where Sacagawea was born, visitors can traverse the rugged Bitterroot Mountain Range and take in the breathtaking views of the Continental Divide. Additionally, you can venture into the Sacagawea Interpretive, Cultural, & Educational Center to learn more about Sacagawea’s legacy and the history of her people. Aside from Sacagawea, Salmon is also approximate to a number of ghost towns such as Gilmore, Leesburg, and Shoup, which are all that remains of the region’s mining boom as well as victims of the Great Depression.
Those of you with aesthetic appetites can sate your eyes with Rober Deurloo’s striking Wildlife Bronzes, statues scattered throughout Salmon which you can take selfies and groupies of. Meanwhile, individuals with a desire to immerse themselves in the outdoor can traipse through the vast Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. At last, when you grow weary and worn from all your rewarding experiences around Salmon, you can rest and recharge for a new day of opportunity in places such as the Sacagawea Inn, Syringa Lodge, or Salmon River Inn.
Priest River
Lounging along the Pend Oreille River, and just east of Sandpoint, the picturesque town of Priest River is a remarkable destination in the Selkirk Mountain Range. One can start their journey through this town at the Priest River Experimental Forest, a region of magnificent biodiversity. In contrast, you can start your expedition to the past rather than to the present by seeing the exhibits at both the Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center. In any case, there are still plenty of outdoor attractions awaiting beyond Priest River’s town confines, like hiking to the very top of Mount Roothaan or capture stunning photos of Chimney Rock, a uniquely carved granite spire. You might also be invigorated by walks through the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars and Granite Falls. However, the best thing you can do in Priest River is attend the annual WaCanId Ride on September 9, a bicycle race where participants can go racing through the state of Washington, the nation of Canada, and back to Idaho along the scenic International Selkirk Loop. Upon your exhausted return to Priest River, you can settle down and rejuvenate in one of Priest River’s lovely lodgings like the Eagle’s Nest Motel.
Wallace
Among the four US cities listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Wallace stands as one of the top Idaho towns to visit due to its great historic relevance and insights. Formerly a thriving silver-mining town in the Silver Valley mining district of the Idaho Panhandle, Wallace’s informative past can be visited at the Sierra Silver Mine Tour in the Bitterroot Mountains and the Pulaski Tunnel Trail. Some of the details you will see in these tourist areas explain the devastating 1910 wildfire that swept through Wallace, which the town recuperated from years later.
Visitors can also explore the Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum to learn more about how the railroad system contributed to Wallace’s infrastructure and economy. On the other hand, you can look down at the town’s unique manhole cover, known as the "Center of the Universe," which pays tribute to Wallace’s mining heritage. For opportunities to go outside rather than remain indoors, you can take the Route of the Hiawatha and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, both of which lead to panoramic destinations like Coeur d'Alene National Forest, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and Hells Canyon, the latter being the deepest gorge in America. There are many more amazing and surprising features to see in Wallace, so consider booking a room in fine establishments like Hercules Inn, Wallace Inn, or the historic Ryan Hotel.
McCall
McCall is a charming and amazing small town situated on the western perimeter of Valley County and about two hours away from the city of Boise. It was named after its founder, Tom McCall, and it is an excellent getaway towards areas like Payette Lake and the Payette National Forest. The Ponderosa State Park is also an excellent area of interest for those of you who wish to go sightseeing in Idaho’s pristine outdoors. When winter arrives, you can participate in the annual McCall Winter Carnival for exciting and challenging snow-sculpting competitions. Likewise, you can go skiing and snowboarding year-round at the Brundage Mountain Resort and Tamarack Resort. Since the 1930s, the McCall Fish Hatchery has protected dozens of fish species that can live in the high mountains of Idaho. More importantly, exquisite lodgings like the Hotel McCall, Nordic Inn, or Shore Lodge have accommodated hundreds of visitors who have enjoyed a rewarding and memorable vacation in McCall.
Island Park
Just 35 minutes from the globally renowned Yellowstone National Park, the small and dazzling town of Island Park offers a taste of its neighbor’s natural wonders while boasting unique attractions of its own. One of its most fascinating features is its location within an ancient volcanic caldera, now a thriving landscape brimming with bioactivity and biodiversity. The lush Caribou-Targhee National Forest, for example, surrounds the town with lush woodlands and animals of various sorts and shapes which you can go searching for. In contrast to the natural, the manmade Island Park Dam regulates the flow of Crow Creek, an engineering masterpiece for those interested in the works of man. If you should follow the origins of the Snake River, you will come upon Big Springs, an idyllic spot for relaxation. You will also feel quite relaxed at both Mesa Falls and Cave Falls, waterfalls that once contained artifacts from the Nez Perce Native Americans. There are plenty more attractions in store in Island Park, even in quaint lodgings like the Riverfront Retreat, Lakeside Resort & Lodge, or Harper’s Cabin.
Garden Valley
Located just 53 miles from Boise, Garden Valley is a stunning gateway to the natural wonders situated in the shadow of the Sawtooth Mountains. Adventure seekers can experience the thrill of whitewater rafting along the Payette River. Meanwhile, individuals who wish to go gallivanting through the woods can do so at the vast Boise National Forest, which are also prime locations for hunting during the autumn season. Finally, during the months of winter, Terrace Lakes Resort transforms into a playground for sledding and skiing for anyone interested in the snowy mountains of Idaho. You can even partake in the wonderful Idaho Sleigh Rides or watch performances at the Starlight Mountain Theatre. If the cold gets to you, you can always stay warm and comfortable at places like the Three Bears Inn.
Sun Valley
Sun Valley, alongside its twin Ketchum, are both sunny and snowy vacation retreats on the slopes of the Bald Mountain. From there, travelers can partake in more exquisite skiing and snowboarding escapades on Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain, the latter containing easier and gentler slopes. Winter is certainly an ideal time to visit Sun Valley when the snow allows for skiing, but the summer is also an idyllic period for those who wish to be invigorated by bracing walks through the many mountain trails and routes all over the area. One can even ride horses on equestrian routes through calm and soothing meadows or towards the Sawtooth National Forest. When walking along Fox Creek and Trail Creek, travelers can reach Proctor Mountain which offers mesmerizing vistas of the Idaho landscape. Sun Valley is so serene and beautiful a destination that it honors American Transcendentalist Ernest Hemingway with the Hemingway Memorial which you can visit at any time. Both ephemeral and perennial wonders await in the top Idaho town of Sun Valley, so you should definitely book a room in quaint abodes like Knob Hill Inn Sun Valley or the Hotel Ketchum.
Driggs
Nearly 130 years ago, the Driggs family and other pioneers and frontiersmen established the small town of Driggs in the Teton Valley and in the headwaters of the Teton River. This close to the state border of Wyoming, Driggs shares a number of scenic amenities with two diverse states, among them the Teton Canyon Overview Observation Site where one can get a good view of lands composing both Wyoming and Idaho. To the west lies the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, a sprawling, 3-million acreage of woodlands with mountains and waterfalls worth sightseeing. To the south are the Big Elk Mountains, Caribou Mountain, and the Palisades Reservoir where one can experience more of the thrilling outdoors of Idaho. Most of all, you can get a grand view of the Teton Mountain Range from the Teton Scenic Byway and other locations around Driggs. Idaho’s landscapes are certainly a wonder to behold, and you can be beholden to these wonders in the small town of Driggs.
Bonners Ferry
About 39 minutes north of Sandpoint on the Kootenay River, the resplendent small town of Bonners Ferry is widely considered the international gateway town to the whole of Idaho. The Porthill-Rykerts Border Crossing connects Bonners Ferry with the far northern city of Creston in British Columbia, Canada. Moreover, the Kootenay River was a major river route for Native American bark canoes and for Edwin Bonner’s man-powered ferry in 1865 to transport the miners rushing to the new gold strike on Wild Horse Creek in British Columbia. The Boundary County Museum recounts much on Bonners Ferry’s inception as well as offers photos of floodings and other incidents that shaped the town. These days, Bonners Ferry is mainly the home of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, one of six bands of the Kootenai Nation in the state who currently operate a white sturgeon and burbot hatchery which are both endangered. For exploration, travelers can always venture into the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge or the Kaniksu National Forest. As for lodgings, you can look for accommodations at either the Kootenai Valley Motel or the Northside School Bed and Breakfast.
The Gem State of Idaho is shimmering and glowing with some of the best small towns worth visiting this 2025. With the Rocky Mountains as a stunning backdrop and historic ghost towns and mines offering a glimpse into the past, these scenic gems of an Idaho town shine from day to night, from summer to winter. Between gallivanting through the splendid outdoors around Garden Valley to Island Park to immersing yourself in the compelling narrative histories of places like Wallace to McCall, the top 11 Idaho towns to visit in 2025 promise a tranquil and unforgettable experience in one of the most mountainous states in the country.
