14 Prettiest Small Towns In Idaho
Idaho is often overlooked by tourists for being a potato producer and not much else. It’s a rural state with a variety of landscapes that are ideal for farming. Agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing are major industries in Idaho. Pretty is not always the top word choice for someone who hasn’t visited the Gem State. However, pretty is an understatement when describing its versatile beauty. Mountain ranges, rivers, alpine lakes, high desert, and forest land patch this wonderful state. This article will focus on 14 of the prettiest towns in Idaho based on natural surroundings.
Sandpoint
Located along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, Sandpoint is a year-round destination. It is surrounded by forestlands in the Cabinet, Bitterroot, and Selkirk Mountain ranges. Sandpoint has over 200 trails for hiking within an hour of town. Skiing and snowboarding at Schweitzer Village is a winter wonderland with over 2900 acres, a resort village, and fine dining. In the summer, visitors can hike the Schweitzer Village Trails. Lake Pend Oreille is 43 miles long with 111 miles of shoreline. Whiskey Rock and Garfield Bay are excellent camping areas around the lake. For warmer day trips to the lake, City Beach has lake access with playgrounds and ball courts.
McCall
Along the shore of Payette Lake, McCall is beautiful any time of year. In the winters, skiers and snowboarders base themselves out of McCall for long days on the slopes at nearby Tamarack or Brundage Resort. In February, the town welcomes visitors to the McCall Winter Carnival, which features festivities and an ice sculpture contest. Summers are alive with lake activities in McCall, like boating and fishing on Payette Lake or nearby Lake Cascade. Some of the best hiking in Idaho can be found around McCall; the stunning Box Lake trail is often used by backpackers and day users. The 6.3-mile hike features significant elevation gain and the reward of an incredible alpine lake.
Stanley
Anywhere you stand in Stanley, you can snap a postcard-worthy picture. It is a mountain town that has maintained its untouched allure. Summers attract thousands of campers, anglers, backpackers, and hikers to the area. Sawtooth Mountain Range offers incredible views to hikers, and it has several alpine lakes. Alice Lake, Goat Lake, and Sawtooth Lake are all favorites of Idahoans. The Mountain Village Lodge hosts live music events throughout the warmer months with street dancing and full-blown weekend music festivals. Visitors also enjoy the hot springs at The Mountain Village Lodge or the unique Boat Box Hot Spring along Idaho State Highway 75.
Wallace
At the base of the Bitterroot Mountains in Northern Idaho, Wallace is a gem for any kind of traveler. Bicyclists love coming to Wallace in the warmer months to ride the famous, 15-mile Hiawatha Trail. History buffs enjoy the well-preserved Victorian buildings of downtown, like the Oasis Bordello Museum, Northern Pacific Depot, or the Wallace Chamber of Commerce. In the winter, visitors can enjoy the nearby Lookout Pass Ski Recreation Area for skiing and snowboarding. Underground mine tours are offered at the Sierra Silver Mine Tour with an experienced hard rock miner.
Ketchum
Ketchum is a mountain town nestled against the Rocky Mountains of Central Idaho. It’s beautiful throughout all four seasons and attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round. World-class skiing can be accessed within 5 minutes at Sun Valley Resort, which features the Bald and Dollar Mountains. Downtown Ketchum has a variety of shops, restaurants, and outfitters. Lost River Outfitters and Silver Creek Outfitters both offer excellent guides for fly fishing in the area. Mountain biking and hiking at Adam’s Gulch Trailhead is a beautiful option for spending a day. Wood River Trail is a calmer option with a paved pathway for walking or casually bicycling along the Wood River.
Island Park
Close to the eastern border of Idaho, Island Park is an oasis surrounded by lakes, rivers, and forest. It is half an hour away from Yellowstone and an excellent option to base out of to avoid crowds in the park. Island Park Reservoir is frequented by boaters and anglers throughout the summer. In the winter, ice fishing is very popular on the reservoir. It has a plethora of Rainbow Trout and Kokanee. Visitors can rent ATVs and side-by-sides to explore trails within the Rocky Mountains, like Two Top Mountain and the Continental Divide Trail.
Garden Valley
Along the Payette River and 45 minutes from Idaho’s capital, Boise, Garden City is a little reprieve of a town. On the 4th of July, Garden Valley celebrates in a big way with the “biggest small-town fireworks show in the Northwest.” Rafting with Cascade Raft and Kayak is a great way to sightsee with friendly guides and various intensity tours. Starlight Mountain Theatre is an incredible way to spend an evening. They host several shows throughout the summer against the backdrop of a starry, pine-lined sky. The venue also has on-site RV camping hookups.
Salmon
Salmon is a small town on the edge of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Rafting the Salmon River is a favorite pastime of locals and visitors in the warmer seasons. These trips are one of the coolest ways to witness the natural beauty of Idaho. Idaho River Adventures offers several weeklong camp raft excursions. Big Timber Outfitters equips hunters and anglers with guided trips. Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Area is the perfect spot in the winter for downhill and cross-country skiers. Head to Whiskey Willy’s on Main Street for some cold beverages and live music on the weekends.
Challis
Central Idaho’s charmer, Challis, is a quintessential small town. Challis summers are filled with locals and tourists enjoying rafting, fishing, camping, and live music. Every August, Challis becomes a live music capital for the Braun Brothers Music Festival. It brings in concertgoers from all over the world to gather and camp at the Challis Golf Course. Rafting is a popular activity in Challis summers. Local outfitters like Middle Fork Outfitters offer guided rafting trips on the upper Salmon River. During hunting season, outfitters assist visitors with guided hunts. In June, Challis hosts the “River of No Return” endurance ultra runs. It’s an intense race through the Frank Church Wilderness.
Bonner’s Ferry
Bonner’s Ferry sits in the heart of the Kootenai River Valley and is surrounded by the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountain ranges. The Kootenai River is an incredible waterway to fish. Visitors can visit local Far-North Outfitters or The Last Resort Outfitter Fly Shop in town for guided trips and gear. Downtown Bonner’s Ferry is a popular attraction with fun shops and restaurants like Under the Sun or The Rusty Moose Tavern & Grill. Nearby hiking trails like Snow Creek Falls, Copper Falls, or Myrtle Falls feature waterfalls and lush foliage. For a more leisurely activity, drive the International Selkirk Loop that crosses over into Canada.
Priest River
Priest River is a small town in the northwest panhandle of Idaho. It sits 7 miles east of the Washington border and 75 miles south of Canada! Nearby Priest Lake is considered “Idaho’s Crown Jewel”; it’s an incredible 23,000-acre natural lake with a backdrop view of the Selkirk Mountains. It offers many opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping in the summer months. In the winter, it draws visitors for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Golfers love the sights at Priest Lake Golf Course or The Ranch Club. Kayaking and rafting are popular along the Priest River.
Moscow
College town and full of creative beauty around every corner, Moscow is a vibe. It is home to the University of Idaho, which creates a medley of perspectives, personalities, and an artsy approach. Downtown is aesthetically pleasing, dedicated to local shops, and the vibrant Moscow Food Co-op. Idler’s Rest Nature Preserve is a leisurely hiker’s favorite. The Latah Trail offers 15 miles of paved pathway for walkers and bikers. The town is filled with local parks like East City Park for kids to play and dogs to wander. Foodies and coffee lovers will enjoy the plethora of options in Moscow. The Silos Coffee & Social has lovely ambiance and scratch-baked goods along with highly rated coffee.
Featherville
Sitting between the Trinity Mountains and Anderson Ranch Reservoir, Featherville is an ideal base for exploring. ATVs are very popular in this area; there are several OHV trail systems around Featherville. Trinity Mountain Recreation offers rentals for visitors without their own rig. Trinity Lakes are wonderful for hiking, shore fishing, and picnicking. Hiking trails are generally difficult but well worth the view. The Granite Lake Trail is well-marked and popular. Anderson Reservoir is ideal for boaters, whether you’re fishing or waterskiing. Snowmobilers love the Pine-Featherville area for its 380 miles of well-marked trails in the winter.
Victor
Sitting at 6000 feet and near the Wyoming border, Victor is the largest town in Teton Valley. It is home to 2,500 year-round residents and is a quiet place to base out of when visiting Grand Teton National Park. Victor is home to some incredible restaurants like the Knotty Pine or Scratch, which offer hearty meals. Idaho’s famous huckleberries make it into milkshakes at Victor Emporium. Victor has multiple trails for hiking and biking. The Victor to Driggs Rail Trail is a beautiful way to see some scenery on a bike or on foot; it’s just under 8 miles long.
The Gem State is one of rugged beauty that demands to be remembered. From the jagged peaks of the Sawtooths to the lush forest of the northern panhandle, scenic views aren’t hard to come by. These 14 small towns of Idaho have something for everyone looking for outdoor adventure and fresh mountain air. The Idahoans who welcome visitors are friendly and helpful. You will never lack pretty views and/or epic things to do when venturing through any one of these 14 towns.
