10 Serene Idaho Towns For A Weekend Retreat
The Gem State of Idaho abounds in beautiful natural jewels, making this western state a wonderful destination for long weekend escapes. From mighty mountain peaks to tranquil lakes in the forest, there’s never a shortage of scenic parklands to visit. In addition, it pays to be on the lookout for prehistoric fossil beds, soothing hot springs, and perhaps the United States’ most surprisingly exciting college towns. Idaho may be famous for its potatoes, but there’s no need to be a couch potato when Idaho has so much to experience in its great outdoors. With this in mind, let’s check out these 10 serene Idaho towns for a weekend retreat.
Lava Hot Springs
About 39 miles southeast of Pocatello, discover a refreshing oasis of bubbling beauty at Lava Hot Springs. Come for the hot springs, or more specifically, the town’s hot springs-fed pool complex that stays open year-round with clean, natural, thermal water with no sulfuric stench. During the summer season, Lava Hot Springs also has a full outdoor aquatic center that’s perfect for families looking for extra wet fun in the sun.
Since the Portneuf River flows through town, Lava Hot Springs is also a prime destination for river tubing and fishing. If you prefer exploring on dry land, this area also has plenty of exciting mountain biking and ATV trails to traverse, and the nearby Bonneville Peak is good for long, challenging hikes. Whatever you end up doing during the day, you can rest assured that the Lava Hideout Cabins are ideal for a peaceful night (and a convenient location in town near the hot springs pools).
Ketchum
During the winter season, Ketchum fills up with visitors eager to hit the slopes of the nearby Sun Valley ski resort. But even once all the snow has melted, there’s still a lot to see and do around Ketchum. At Sun Valley, you can do up to 18 holes of golf at the idyllic White Clouds Golf Course. Beyond the resort area, you can try some hiking or mountain biking on the rugged wilderness trails at Adams Gulch, as well as the easier paved path along the Wood River Trail.
To the west of town, there’s plenty more to explore on Bald Mountain with its network of hiking and running trails, dirt bike paths, and the River Run Summer Series featuring live music, food trucks, lawn games, and more. Back in town, check in to good times and great vibes at Knob Hill Inn, a European chalet-style boutique hotel with plush rooms and suites, The Grill restaurant, and a year-round heated pool and spa.
Hagerman
At first glance, you might wonder what makes the Southern Idaho town of Hagerman so special. But once you start digging, it becomes clear. On this note, it’s worth a trek to Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument to venture back over three million years to the Pliocene, a period of global cooling when animals like otters, “bone-crusher” dog-like canids, horses, and peccaries roamed free on these lands. For a more interactive and immersive dive into Hagerman’s ancient history, head over to Banbury Hot Springs and 1000 Springs Resort to soak in hot springs formed by ancient dormant volcanoes.
If you’re aiming to do more than just soak in some natural springs, hop over to Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve to hike the canyon and witness some 180,000 gallons of water per minute pour into the Snake River via spectacular waterfalls. Speaking of the Snake River, the Hagerman Reach is a great place to do some thrilling whitewater rafting. Whenever you’re ready to call it a day, check into the 1,000 Springs Riverhouse for a restful evening in a plush, oversized room.
Stanley
Nestled in the Sawtooth Valley, about 132 miles northeast of Boise, the village of Stanley opens up to some 1,000 square miles of pristine wilderness offering epic year-round adventures. If you’d like to reach new heights, do a bucket list-worthy alpine climb to the 10,751-foot-tall Thompson Peak. Stanley also makes it easy to explore on two wheels with an incredible array of mountain bike trails, such as the Elk Mountain Loop and Redfish Lake Loop. Or, for a more laid-back ride into the wilderness, try horseback riding with local outfits like Mystic Saddle Ranch and White Cloud Outfitters.
If you seek an even more relaxing outing, try fishing at the Salmon River. For a more exciting journey on the open water, The River Company and Sawtooth Adventure lead incredible whitewater rafting excursions on the river. For the ultimate weekend in the wilderness, book a cabin at the Redfish Lake Lodge and enjoy a prime location in the woods by the lake.
Driggs
Only about 39 miles from the famously jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park and 34 miles from the posh ski resort town of Jackson (Wyoming), the town of Driggs (Idaho) lets you experience a different side of the Teton Valley. Not only does Driggs make a more affordable and laid-back “base camp” to explore the many wonders of the national park, but it also sits at the foot of the glorious mountain wilderness of Caribou-Targhee National Forest. From Driggs, you can access rugged hiking trails to Ryan Peak, along with a great mountain bike path at Monument Peak and Garns Mountain Trail. After hiking or biking through these mountains, you can find some refreshment and relaxation at the natural spring-fed pools of Green Canyon Hot Springs Resort.
For another perspective on the Tetons, enjoy some scenic tee time at The Links at Teton Peaks, an 18-hole golf course that plays as well as the nearby mountains look. However you end up spending the day, turn in for the night at Teton Valley Cabins, a convenient collection of cabins within easy reach of the national park and the forest.
Salmon
With a name like Salmon, you expect the fishing to be good around here. Indeed, the Salmon River provides world-class conditions for fishing, and fish species like rainbow, cutthroat, and steelhead trout tend to be plentiful here. (And yes, you might even get lucky and find some salmon during summer spawning season.) Salmon also serves as a gateway to the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness Area, the largest contiguous wilderness in the United States outside of Alaska (at 2,366,757 acres). It’s home to remarkable natural treasures like one of North America’s deepest gorges at Salmon River Canyon, some 14 crystal-clear freshwater lakes, and the jagged Bighorn Crags mountains that soar as high as 10,000 feet above sea level.
Closer to town, there’s even more to discover at Discovery Hill Recreation Area, a great expanse of public lands featuring outstanding single-track mountain bike trails, over 30 miles of trails overall, and panoramic views of the Salmon River Valley and the Continental Divide. And in town, check into The Stagecoach Inn for genuine Idaho small-town hospitality and a wonderful location by the Salmon River.
Sandpoint
About 75 miles northeast of Spokane (Washington), Sandpoint has a fascinating and fun mix of easygoing beaches at Lake Pend Oreille and mighty mountains all around. Right at the heart of town is City Beach with its large patch of sandy beach, protected swim area, picnic lawn, and seasonal boat launch. Heading south of downtown, Sandpoint also has Lakeview Park, another public beach and boat launch area where you can dive into local history at the Bonner County Historical Society & Museum and stroll in the shade provided by the park’s arboretum.
Just across the lake from downtown, there’s more to see and do at the Gold Hill area of Idaho Panhandle National Forest, especially the 3.7-mile Gold Hill Trail that’s ideal for hiking and mountain biking. Meanwhile, west of town, Pine Street Woods is a 180-acre forest oasis with fully accessible hiking and biking trails. For more advanced, challenging hikes, hit the Mickinnick Trail for some 2,000 feet of elevation gain on a path leading through open forests and granite rock formations. Whatever you decide to do during the day, enjoy a relaxing evening at the charming Talus Rock Retreat near downtown.
Moscow
Home to the University of Idaho, Moscow may be a learned town, but it also provides plenty of inviting options for an extended “recess.” Hit the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail for seven miles of smooth pathways for hiking, biking, and skating, and it connects to a larger 38-mile trail network around the region. If you seek a more rustic escape into the mountains, try Robinson Park for some 54 acres of tree-lined trails that open up to the larger wilderness. Or, for a more laid-back outing, hit the links at the University of Idaho’s Vandal Golf Course for 18 holes of beautiful golf.
Since Moscow is a college town, there is plenty of beer. And not only will you find beer, but great local craft beer at Hunga Dunga Brewing Company, Moscow Brewing Company, and Pour Company. Whenever it’s time to call it a day, check into the Monarch Motel for a good night at this cozy mid-century modern boutique motel.
McCall
The town of McCall might just be the ultimate mountain lake town, and it’s only about 110 miles north of Boise. Ponderosa State Park makes for an idyllic launchpad to canoe, kayak, and swim in Payette Lake, and it has plenty of hiking and biking trails sporting incredible lake views. Just to the south of the state park, McCall Golf Club is a lovely and large 27-hole course that’s perfect for a long, peaceful tee time. And to the north of town, Brundage Mountain Resort may welcome skiers during the winter, but it also opens in summer for mountain biking, disc golf, open-air concerts, chairlift rides up the mountain, and other special seasonal events.
Back in town, you can settle down for some quiet time fishing at Riverfront Park, or perhaps set sail from the municipal dock at Art Robert’s Park. Then, feel free to retreat to the ultimate lakeside sanctuary at Shore Lodge, a stately yet relaxing boutique hotel featuring its own in-house restaurants and full-service spa.
Payette
Perched at the confluence of the Payette and Snake Rivers (and by the Oregon state line), the village of Payette is a small town offering plenty of big adventures. For historic throwbacks that knock it out of the park, hit the Payette County Museum to get to know hometown hero and baseball hall-of-famer Harmon Killebrew, and find a wide array of additional artifacts ranging from antique toys to elaborate stained glass windows. A few blocks north of the museum, Centennial Park has a boat ramp that makes it easy to get in the Snake River for scenic fishing expeditions. Meanwhile, to the south of town, Rudy Park has a boat ramp allowing access into the Payette River, and it’s a great launch point for floating and rafting.
If you’d rather stay on dry land, consider a tee time at Scotch Pines, Payette’s own 18-hole golf course offering fulfilling and scenic games year-round. And though hotel options tend to be limited on the Idaho side of the river, you can find some vacation rental units available, such as the Jacobsen Luxury Loft that lets you enjoy a full apartment in town to yourself.
The Gem State Sparkles In Serene Scenery And Chill Vibes
From the tranquil banks of the Snake River to the great mountains of the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho abounds in attractive options for serene weekend retreats. At Lava Hot Springs, dip into soothing natural hot springs and ride a tube down the Portneuf River. At Stanley and Salmon, escape into some of the contiguous United States’ grandest and most pristine expanses of mountain wilderness full of jagged peaks, rushing rivers, and deep canyons. And at Sandpoint, keep your trip as active or as laid-back as you please with a variety of parklands to explore around Lake Pend Oreille. However you define serenity, it’s easy to find while spending a long weekend in Idaho.
