10 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In Idaho

Idaho is known for its agricultural prowess and scenic wilderness, punctuated by rolling mountains, glistening lakes, winding rivers, and thriving wildlife species. However, the Gem State harbors a quirky side that not many tourists are familiar with. Beyond the bright lights of its big cities, travelers will encounter an exciting lineup of small towns brimming with whimsical charm, curious local legends, and unexpected attractions.

These places embrace the odd and unusual with pride, exposing newcomers to strangely satisfying experiences that go against the standard vacation, like in the towns of Arco, Blackfoot, and Wallace. From bizarre traditions to offbeat architecture and haunted stops, these ten eccentric towns in Idaho are sure to surprise and entertain.

Arco

Just an hour from Idaho Falls, this small town near Butte City promises visitors a tour of the moon without having to board a space shuttle. Arco is famous for hosting the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, a sprawling sea of blackened lava with scattered sagebrush and cinder cones. The site looks like something out of an Armageddon movie and attracts curious explorers with camping, skiing, and wildlife opportunities. The imposing Number Hill is a famous landmark in Arco and stands out for the various numbers painted on its sides, resulting in a quirky local attraction.

When you have seen enough of Arco's outdoor oddities, Pickle's Place invites you to soak it all in during a hearty meal in a neighborly atmosphere.

Blackfoot

Blackfoot's quirky side is evident from its odd name, which originated from the Native American tribe that once inhabited the region. However, there is much more to tickle your curiosity, including the Idaho Potato Museum. This whimsical memorial chronicles the history and cultivation of potatoes with a fun collection of related exhibits. It also has an on-site cafe, where guests can enjoy potato chips and cupcakes.

The Blackfoot Movie Mill is where residents can connect with Hollywood. It showcases a refreshing lineup of films at affordable prices in a cozy atmosphere. Elsewhere, outdoor recreation awaits at Jensen Grove Park. This lovely sanctuary lies beside a 55-acre pond, providing guests with walking, boating, swimming, and jet skiing activities.

Island Park

Island Park's quirkiest attraction might strike a chord in the twisted minds of serial killers and outlaws. This is because the region houses the Zone of Death, a 50-square-mile patch on the Idaho side of Yellowstone National Park where a person can get away with murder and other major crimes due to the Vicinage Clause. But if you don't want to gamble with your life, the Yellowstone Playhouse is the perfect alternative. This cherished cultural hub welcomes tourists to watch exceptional theatrical performances while enjoying a hot dinner.

Meanwhile, Harriman State Park provides a sprawling wilderness where you can discover the Yellowstone ecosystem. The reserve boasts an endless network of hiking trails, campsites, beaches, and other picnic areas for the ultimate outdoor immersion.

Ketchum

For decades, this Blaine County community has paid homage to its sheepherding heritage, which dates back over 150 years, with the annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival. The quirky event sees a herd of at least 1,000 sheep taking over the downtown streets as locals herd the sheep from the Sawtooth Mountains to their grazing grounds in the valley. Besides the viewing spectacle, other activities include a Wool Festival, Championship Sheepdog Trials, and Sheep Folklife Fair during a 5-day celebration.

Ketchum hosts a respectable arts community with connects visitors with its artists' creations at the historic Sun Valley Museum of Art. The facility hosts up to six exhibitions annually, while Gilman Contemporary focuses on paintings and photography. Finally, the Wood River Museum of History and Culture provides guests with an eye-opening look into the region's dynamic heritage using interactive archives and artifacts.

Stanley

With winter temperatures sinking to frigid lows of -28 degrees Fahrenheit, you would think people would want to avoid one of the coldest areas in the continental United States. On the contrary, Stanley bursts with an array of quirky winter fun as excited attendees with eccentric costumes descend upon the town for the Stanley Winterfest. These range from snowball dodgeball and human bowling to beer tastings in the freezing temperatures against the stunning backdrop of the Sawtooth Mountains.

On any other day, Stanley is an outdoor lover's paradise, promising thrilling adventure opportunities. White Cloud Rafting Adventures takes guests on adrenaline-filled excursions down the Salmon River. Meanwhile, Sawtooth Mountain Guides allow first-timers to explore the rugged Sawtooth Mountain wilderness through climbing, backpacking, hiking, and backcountry skiing.

Shelley

Shelley earns its spot among the most eccentric towns in Idaho for its annual Idaho Spud Day. This unusual tradition celebrates the state's iconic crop, the potato, with a lineup of potato-themed events. Festival goers descend upon the town to mark the day with French fry eating showdowns, a parade, bizarre costumes, and potato sack races, among others.

If you are not lucky enough to be part of the festivities, you can experience Shelley's outdoor beauty while playing golf at Journey's End Golf Course. This 9-hole course challenges amateur and seasoned players in equal measure. Additionally, don't waste the chance to sample local cuisine at Mick's Home Cooking. This neighborhood cafeteria serves scrumptious flavors prepared from local ingredients in a cozy setting.

Wallace

This small village in the Idaho Panhandle feels stuck in time with its well-preserved historical sites and markers, offering a vivid glimpse into the peak of the Silver Valley mining days. Today, guests can take the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, which explores an actual underground mine, with demonstrations on how things worked. Additionally, the Wallace District Mining Museum displays a whimsical collection of artifacts, including up to 5,000 old photographs, and conducts a mock mine demonstration to make the experience more authentic.

However, the quirkiest attraction yet is the Oasis Bordello Museum. Once a vibrant brothel at the height of the silver boom, the establishment was closed down in 1988. With the occupants departing in haste, they left behind personal belongings, food items, and even groceries, so the interior remains as it was. Today, a guided tour provides a clear look into the lives of the ladies who worked there and explains their rush to abandon the venue. Finally, don't leave without visiting the locally proclaimed Center of the Universe Manhole.

Shoshone

Ideal for a day trip from Boise, Shoshone is home to a network of awe-inspiring natural treasures that draw visitors from around the country. These compel newcomers to step into the great outdoors and explore, with a rare opportunity to venture underground into the Shoshone Ice Caves, a 1,000-foot-long lava tube with dramatic ice formations rising up to 30 feet high. This gets more peculiar at Idaho's Mammoth Cave and Shoshone Bird Museum of Natural History. This strange museum lies in a historical cave and exhibits curious taxidermy specimens and antique items sourced from around the world.

Elsewhere, the Black Magic Canyon serves otherworldly vistas against the backdrop of the Big Wood River. The unique rock sculpture was carved thousands of years ago.

St. Charles

St. Charles is a remote community in Bear Lake County, set on the picturesque shores of Bear Lake. It has wide open spaces that invite no-frills adventure in the great outdoors, including swimming, boating, paddling, and other forms of aquatic fun at North Beach, which is part of Bear Lake State Park. However, many visitors come to marvel at the Minnetonka Cave. This humongous limestone cave welcomes explorers to wander about its mysterious rooms, filled with stunning stalagmites and stalactites. The cave is also a refuge for several bat species, which adds to its eeriness when you stare into the dark roof, with thousands of eyes staring back.

When you have wandered across all the corners of the cave, you can head back to the downtown areas and replenish your energy reserves with a delicious double cheeseburger at Minnetonka Market & Cafe.

Lava Hot Springs

This riverfront community leaves many questioning its peculiar name, but you will get the hang of it when you witness the abundance of naturally occurring heated pools in harbors. Every February, the town hosts the annual Fire and Ice Winter Fest, a quirky event filled with chills and thrills. Participants compete in a swimsuit race down Main Street before taking a geothermal bath. Other whimsical activities include a bar-stool ski race, polar plunges, and the Polar Bear Float on the frozen surface of the Portneuf River.

But if you visit outside the festival period, you can experience the therapeutic baths at Foundation World Famous Hot Springs. This popular establishment hosts five bathing pools, which maintain toasty temperatures of between 102 and 112 degrees. Those visiting with kids can include them in the fun with a visit to the Olympic Swimming Complex. This world-class aquatic center features swimming pools, water slides, diving platforms, and aqua climbing walls for wholesome family fun.

If you are on the hunt for the quirkiest towns in Idaho, the above destinations provide an excellent starting point. From artistic enclaves to historic mining towns frozen in time, each offers a unique blend of charm, character, and eccentricity in the United States. Whether you are drawn to the offbeat festival in Lava Hot Springs or the mysterious caverns of Shoshone, these towns promise unforgettable experiences that expose the strangely satisfying and wonderfully weird side of the Gem State.