2025's 9 Most Scenic Idaho Towns

Idaho may be best known for its potatoes, but its towns are some of the most visually captivating in the American West. Tucked between rugged mountain ranges, crystalline lakes, and forested valleys, these small communities are gateways to the state’s wilder side. In Stanley, snow-capped peaks loom large over alpine lakes, while Sandpoint edges the vast expanse of Lake Pend Oreille, framed by the Selkirks and Cabinet Mountains. You can wander through the lava-sculpted terrain near Arco or soak in the lush riverscapes surrounding McCall. Wallace and Ketchum are nestled deep in mountainous corridors, brimming with high-altitude trails and panoramic overlooks. In Driggs, the Tetons rise like a jagged wall to the east, while Idaho City and Elk River are tucked into peaceful pine forests. Each of 2025's nine most scenic towns in Idaho is a distinct portal into the state's raw, untamed beauty.

Stanley

Cradled by the Sawtooth Mountains and situated near the headwaters of the Salmon River, Stanley has one of the most breathtaking settings in the West. Towering granite peaks like Thompson Peak, Williams Peak, and McGown Peak dominate the skyline, mirrored by pristine alpine lakes such as Redfish Lake and Stanley Lake. Trails like the Alpine Way Trail, Fishhook Creek Trail, and Bench Lakes Trail weave through the Sawtooth Wilderness, leading to high-elevation basins bursting with wildflowers. Spend a day rock climbing in the Sawtooth range or horseback ride through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The Salmon River, which begins just south of town, winds its way through rugged canyons and is popular for rafting, particularly in the sections farther downstream. Wildlife sightings are common — elk, deer, bald eagles, and black bears roam the region. After a day on the trail or river, visitors can unwind in one of the area’s natural hot springs, like Boat Box, Sunbeam, or Cove Creek Hot Springs, each offering a soothing soak with a view.

Sandpoint

Sandpoint is surrounded by a patchwork of mountains, forest, and deep-blue water. The Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges encircle the town with miles of beautiful trails such as the Mickinnick Trail and Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail. The area borders the Kaniksu National Forest and Cabinet Mountains Wilderness to the northeast. Sandpoint also sits on the northern tip of Lake Pend Oreille, the deepest lake in the state. The lake stretches over 40 miles, creating expansive views and tranquil shores perfect for kayaking or swimming. The town is a jumping-off point for Schweitzer Mountain’s high-altitude hiking paths, including the summit-bound Nature Trail and Ridge Trail, which both have overlooks reaching out over Idaho and into Montana. In every season, Sandpoint delivers vivid landscapes — whether it's the golden shimmer of autumn leaves or snow-covered pines reflected in icy water.

McCall

Located along the western edge of Payette Lake and surrounded by thick pine forest, McCall is a four-season destination for nature lovers. In summer, the calm waters of the lake invite paddling and lakeside strolls, while nearby Ponderosa State Park provides access to secluded coves and peninsula trails such as the Huckleberry Bay Loop and Lily Marsh Trail. These routes meander through dense forest, past wildflower meadows, and along shoreline viewpoints. In the distance, the Salmon River Mountains rise, their slopes blanketed in evergreens. During winter, snow transforms the landscape into a serene wilderness ideal for snowshoeing or Nordic skiing. The park maintains over 12 miles of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing, while nearby Bear Basin Nordic Center has another network of tracks through rolling, snow-covered woodlands.

Wallace

Hidden in the narrow Silver Valley between the Bitterroot Mountains, Wallace is both historic and visually stunning. The town is circled by steep, forested slopes laced with waterfalls like Revett Falls and Cedar Creek Falls, along with creeks and narrow trails such as Pulaski Tunnel Trail and the Northern Pacific Trail. Wallace is a great base for exploring the vast Coeur d'Alene National Forest, where dense evergreens meet clear streams and remote alpine meadows. The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, a 73-mile biking and walking route, cuts through the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River Valley and alongside both the Coeur d'Alene river and St. Joe, with breathtaking viewpoints around every turn. The beauty here lies in its seclusion and rugged mountain backdrop.

Driggs

Set in the Teton Valley, Driggs faces one of the most dramatic mountain views in the country — the west side of the Teton Range. The towering peaks of Grand Teton National Park rise just beyond the Idaho-Wyoming border, while closer trails, such as Darby Canyon Wind Cave Trail, explore the Big Hole Mountains and surrounding high meadows. In summer, wildflowers such as lupine, Indian paintbrush, and arrowleaf balsamroot blanket the foothills in vibrant color, while in fall, aspen groves turn brilliant gold. Scenic drives wind through agricultural plains into forested canyons, and the Teton River snakes through the valley — ideal for spotting moose, foxes, sandhill cranes, and migrating waterfowl. With its wild beauty and proximity to outdoor adventures, Driggs blends wild terrain with serene rural charm.

Ketchum

Surrounded by the Sawtooth National Forest and located near the Big Wood River, Ketchum blends alpine beauty with vast wilderness. The jagged Boulder Mountains to the north and Pioneer Mountains to the east create a dramatic backdrop, especially at sunrise or sunset when the peaks glow with alpenglow. The area is crisscrossed by Adams Gulch Loop, Proctor Mountain Trail, and the Chocolate Gulch Trail, which climb through wildflower-strewn slopes, along aspen-lined ridgelines, and into secluded valleys such as Fox Creek and Lake Creek. The meandering Big Wood River brings life and sparkle to the landscape, drawing fly fishers and photographers to its riffles and pools, while lush riparian corridors provide habitat for moose, osprey, and herons. For a magical experience, visit the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve on a clear night for a stunning display of stars.

Arco

Arco lies at the edge of one of Idaho’s most surreal landscapes — Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. This vast expanse of hardened lava fields, spatter cones, and cinder craters resembles the surface of another planet. The North Crater Trail and Devils Orchard Loop wind through twisted lava formations and sagebrush flats, providing a close look at ancient volcanic activity. Visitors can climb Inferno Cone for sweeping panoramas of the surrounding lava plain, or descend into lava tubes like Indian Tunnel, where skylights cast eerie shadows across basalt walls. Just beyond the monument, the Lost River Range rises abruptly, with jagged peaks like Borah Peak, Idaho’s tallest mountain, dominating the eastern horizon. This is a place where geology, history, and high desert silence converge to create a truly unforgettable experience.

Idaho City

Just a short drive from Boise, Idaho City is tucked into the Boise National Forest, surrounded by pine-covered hills and winding backroads. Once a gold rush boomtown, today it’s a peaceful place where nature quietly takes the lead. The forest here is alive with the scents of pine and the calls of birds, with the Banner Ridge Loop and Whoop-Um-Up Trail leading to creeks, overlooks, and glades. The South Fork of the Payette River flows nearby, carving the Danskin and Deadwood canyons, and forming refreshing swimming holes like Kirkham Hot Springs and Blue Lake. Wildflowers blanket the meadows in summer, while crisp fall air brings golden larch and aspen leaves. It’s an idyllic retreat for those who love wooded seclusion, winding trails, and mountain air.

Elk River

Remote and nestled deep in the Clearwater Mountains, Elk River is an outdoor haven surrounded by dense forest, rugged ridges, and waterfalls — most notably Elk Creek Falls, one of Idaho’s tallest. It is accessible via the Elk Creek Falls Trailhead and picnic area. The Elk River Backcountry Byway winds through old-growth trees, wildflower meadows, and sweeping vistas of the Clearwater River Valley. Wildlife like moose, deer, and bald eagles are common, and streams weave through the landscape, adding to the area’s natural soundtrack.

Idaho’s scenic towns don’t just sit near nature — they’re woven into it. Whether you’re standing beneath the jagged Teton skyline in Driggs, walking lava trails outside Arco, or watching sunlight spill across Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint, these towns let you experience the state’s most awe-inspiring environments up close. From volcanic plains and alpine lakes to dense forests and river valleys, the natural diversity here is remarkable. These nine towns aren’t just pretty spots on the map — they’re living landscapes, each providing a chance to pause, breathe deep, and be surrounded by something wild and beautiful.