10 Small Towns In Idaho With Big Charm
Idaho’s most memorable small towns serve as gateways to glacial lakes, ski resorts, wild rivers, jagged peaks, scenic byways and miles of public land. This list highlights ten towns, from McCall on the shores of Payette Lake to Driggs in the shadow of the Tetons, where access to outdoor adventure is immediate and deeply tied to local culture. Each town offers a distinct basecamp experience shaped by its landscape, history, and year-round traditions.
McCall
Picture a pristine, deep mountain lake with forest-clad mountains on the east side, cabins on the west, and the oh-so-lovely town of McCall to the south. And north: a grand frontier with lakes, hot springs, the Secesh River, and ample trails to access it all.
In town, lounge on the beach by Legacy Park or rent watercraft from Mountain Meadow Adventure Rentals and launch out onto Payette Lake via Mile High Marina. At the Marina, you can also get a meal and ice cream, as well listen to live music on the deck with the lake singing in the background.
On the north end of town, Ponderosa State Park offers camping and lakeside trails. During the winter, two nearby ski resorts have got your thrill-seeking covered: Brundage, situated to the west before the town of New Meadows, and Tamarack, by Lake Cascade and the town of Donnelly.
Ketchum
Ketchum is the front door to Sun Valley, a legendary ski resort where Olympic champion Picabo Street earned her stripes. Sun Valley is where the celebrities go; Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Clint Eastwood, among them.
Yet Ketchum is where you’ll want to stay. You can access Sun Valley without breaking the bank. Literature and fly-fishing fanatics are in heaven here because Earnest Hemingway once called it home. You can visit his old house and the Hemingway Memorial. Then wade in Papa’s old haunts and find the best spots to angle with a guided fly-fishing trip via Sun Valley Outfitters.
You’re near the Wood River Valley and the Sawtooth National Forest, with incredible opportunities for hiking, fishing, and sightseeing. Round out your trip with a visit to Wood River Museum of History and Culture, where every exhibit is interactive and you can rummage through the Cabinet of Wonders.
Sandpoint
Up north, Sandpoint has character for days, not to mention miles of outdoor attractions to enjoy. The town adorns Lake Pend Oreille, which is Idaho’s largest lake and the fifth deepest in the nation. Lakeside relaxation and volleyball courts await at City Beach. From there, stroll into the heart of Sandpoint and grab a sourdough cinnamon roll, a latte, or an exquisitely crafted Ponte' De Vecchio sandwich at top-rated Paneah’s Bistro.
Depending on the season, your next step could find you surfing powder or pedaling numerous trails at Schweitzer, which is Idaho’s largest ski hill. Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is just 45 minutes to the north, affording chances to see over 300 species, including moose, bald eagles, and more. Or, you could hit the links at Idaho’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature course, The Idaho Club.
Wallace
If there’s one word that captures Wallace’s activity sphere, it’s “trail.” The tiny town of 823 souls is your access point for upwards of 1,000 miles’ worth of trails, which comprise the largest old Forest Service road trail system in the U.S. Take your pick and go mountain biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hiking, or ATV riding.
Furthermore, it’s going to be hard to resist visiting a place called the Oasis Bordello Museum in downtown Wallace. The building once housed an active bordello until 1988; now it’s the most unique museum imaginable. There’s so much more to do here, including the underground Sierra Silver Mine Tour, where you get a subterranean glimpse of Wallace’s rich mining history. Or, if you’re looking to mine deep untouched powder, make your own trail skiing at Lookout Pass Ski Area, which gets about 400 inches of snow per season.
Salmon
Salmon is a gem of a town located along the River of No Return itself, the Salmon River. Appropriately, Salmon is a gateway to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. For a grand rafting adventure down the river, there’s no better outfitter and guide than Aggipah River Trips. “Agippah” means “Big Fish Water” in Shoshone. The Shoshone is one of the principal tribes that lived in Idaho long before colonization. Offering trips on all three forks of the Salmon, Aggipah River Trips is a small, locally owned rafting company that respects the river and the Shoshone people.
The Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Educational Center enables you to explore the history of its famous namesake, Sacajawea, who was a 12-year member of the Agai’dika (Salmon Eater) Shoshone-Bannock tribe when fate set her on the path that led her to become Lewis and Clark’s interpreter. Finally, Twin Peaks Guest Ranch enables you to experience phenomenally scenic lodging and guided trips to superb sites such as Goldbug Hot Springs.
Hailey
Smack dab at the core of the Wood River Valley, Hailey is known as “Idaho’s Home in the Mountains.” The town is a well-kept secret where you won’t fight the Sun Valley crowds. The latter lies just 13 miles north of Hailey.
Serious hikers will love tackling Pioneer Cabin Trail. The trailhead is located about 18 miles northeast of Hailey. From Corral Creek, it’s an 8.5-mile loop that rewards you with stunning views of the Pioneer Mountains from the doorstep of Pioneer Cabin, at 9,400 feet in elevation.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed but no less enchanting excursion, try Draper Wood River Preserve on the west side of town by Big Wood River. Spanning over 120 acres of fluttering aspen leaves, a wetland ripe with wildlife, and a Universal Access trail for those with mobility limitations, the preserve is a treasure to explore.
There are a lot of natural attractions around Hailey, and what’s more, there’s the Days of the Old West Rodeo on the 4th of July. A three-day event, the rodeo transports you back in time. It includes the Blue Cow antique fair and Riverfest, a live music hootenanny with free admission at Hop Porter Park.
Weiser
Located in central Idaho, Weiser is famous for its annual fiddle festival. The National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest happens every June and includes a parade and a banjo contest. You’re sure to be delighted and wowed. Thereafter, you can enjoy hand-dipped gourmet chocolate, caramel corn, and a full-service deli at Weiser Classic Candy. Next, your recreation options are endless, including fishing on the Snake River or biking on Weiser River Trail.
The trail starts in Weiser, just off Main Street on the east end of town, and extends for an epic 84 miles of riparian splendor, canyons with black lava cliffs, and habitat for Idaho’s most majestic wildlife. Finally, you can learn about the region and the hardworking people who settled here at the Snake River Heritage Center museum.
Bonners Ferry
Just south of the Canadian border, Bonners Ferry is where Idaho begins. You could come to here via the Selkirk Loop. The Selkirk Loop is a massive tour of the Selkirk Mountains that goes for 280 miles and forays into Canada, making it America’s one and only multinational scenic drive.
In Bonners Ferry you’re surrounded by stellar mountains, pristine mountain lakes, and clean, rambling rivers. For a taste of this natural bounty, you could hike Myrtle Falls Trail. Just follow the Kootenay River west from town and you’ll be rewarded with a half-mile hike to the waterfall.
Famished and thirsty from all that traveling and hiking? Kootenai River Brewing Company has delicious house-smoked meats and fresh-brewed ales, plus live music. Another highlight of your trip can be the acclaimed Boundary County Museum, which includes the essential Kootenai Tribe Exhibit with an incredible and extensive collection of artifacts from the tribe.
Stanley
You’re going to be hard-pressed to find a town immersed in more grandeur than Stanley. Imagine jagged, dramatic mountains scraping the sky with raptors swooping down to pull fish from the water. Stanley is set here, like a jewel in the crown of the Sawtooth Mountain Range.
For rock climbing enthusiasts, Stanley is a must, as you can ascend Elephant's Perch, which is considered one of the Classic Climbs in North America. To get there, head to Saddleback Lakes (“basecamp”) via Redfish Creek-Baron Creek Trail, a challenging 6.8-mile hike, roundtrip.
Stanley also has great things to do in town, such as the Sawtooth Valley Gathering in June. It’s a four-day outdoor event and you can camp under the boundless Sawtooth sky. What better way to enjoy Idaho mountain music than in the shadow of a huge mountain? While you’re in town, do not miss dining at Stanley Supper Club, where you’ll find surprising delights such as the Squash Croquette. Chef Benjamin Barlow was nominated for the James Beard Award in 2025.
Driggs
You can live the high life in Driggs, which is 6,000 miles above sea level and surrounded by mountain ranges. Namely, you can access the Teton, Snake River, and Big Hole ranges from Driggs. Through the Teton Valley Lodge, you can take multi-day fly-fishing tours. Driggs also has colorful events. Every year in the first week of July, the town hosts the Teton Valley Balloon Rally, with over 25 hot air balloons launching from the fairgrounds over the course of four days, plus a night of live music.
If you’re in for a winter wonderland, the Snowscapes snow sculpting competition happens on January 19 of 2026. You’ll see creations so monumental that Snowscapes earned the official Idaho Snow Sculpting State Championship designation. Or if summer events are your thing, the annual Driggs Plein Air Festival in late July features nationally selected artists exhibiting and competing to paint the best plein air artworks. Plus, it’s free.
Find Idaho’s Gems
These 10 small towns in the wild state of Idaho have the biggest charm you can ask for. There’s no better way to explore the land with the biggest contiguous wilderness south of Alaska. But natural attractions aren’t the only thing these towns are good for. Each one has the type of big, open-hearted cultural appeal you can only find in a small town that prides itself on hospitality and uniqueness.
