6 Most Beautiful College Towns In Idaho
Shaped by pioneers who believed the American West would one day rival the rest of the country in industry, agriculture, and trade, Idaho’s first colleges are forever connected to the former frontier towns in which they were founded. From the territorial days of 1889, when the University of Idaho opened its doors, to the establishment of community colleges during the Great Depression, Idaho's college towns have evolved from frontier settlements into dynamic centers of culture and innovation
The best and most beautiful of these college towns in Idaho have much more in common than just their stunning settings. Not only do they boast a level of academic excellence equal to that of other US states, but they’ve also become unique destinations in their own right that appeal to those interested in exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Moscow
Moscow is located in the heart of the Palouse, a region famous for its scenic undulating hills. The University of Idaho (U of I), established in January 1889, opened its doors three years later with a handful of students, the first of whom - just two men and two women - graduated in 1896. Today, the U of I boasts a student body of over 11,000 students on its sprawling campus, making it the largest university in the Gem State.
Moscow's picturesque downtown, just blocks from campus, pulses with youthful energy. Here you’ll find independent bookshops like The Sword and Shovel (part coffeehouse, part bookstore), art galleries like Third Street Gallery, and cultural landmarks such as the historic Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, all popular student haunts. Meanwhile, the Moscow Farmers Market transforms Main Street into a bustling hub of local vendors and artisans, and nearby natural attractions like Moscow Mountain provide endless excuses to get outside and have fun.
Rexburg
The college town of Rexburg has experienced remarkable growth since its early days, spurred on in part by Brigham Young University Idaho. Dating back to 1888, BYU-Idaho is now home to around 34,000 students, a group that continues to help Rexburg prosper. Their influence on areas like downtown Rexburg is particularly evident, with cultural landmarks like the Romance Theater, a restored 1920s venue, hosting films and live performances with great appeal to students and residents alike.
Other highlights of this beautiful college town include the Teton Dam Site, the location of the catastrophic 1976 dam failure that’s now used as an educational site about engineering and disaster response; and the nearby St. Anthony Sand Dunes, sprawling across over 10,000 acres and reaching heights of 400 feet (it’s especially popular for off-roading and hiking).
Lewiston
Despite being over 450 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Lewiston holds the unique distinction of being Idaho's only seaport. Set where the Clearwater River and Snake River meet up, the West Coast’s most easterly inland port sees ocean-going vessels come and go regularly, with river traffic eventually using the Columbia River to reach the Pacific. This fact made it an ideal choice for the founding of Lewis-Clark State College in 1893, an establishment that boasts 3,800 students and a solid reputation that sees it regularly ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the West.
Lewiston’s downtown core is also fun to explore, with its attractive Main Street running parallel to the Clearwater River and the Lewiston Levee Parkway. Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge, is close by and features thrilling jetboat tours, whitewater rafting, and wilderness hiking. The Snake and Clearwater Rivers also feature world-class steelhead and salmon fishing experiences.
Pocatello
Although the largest of the communities on this list of beautiful college towns in Idaho (its population is 59,000), Pocatello has managed to preserve a small-town feel that makes it fun to visit. Home to Idaho State University and its over 12,600 students, Old Town Pocatello is just a few blocks from campus and has done a superb job of preserving the city's railroad heritage. You’ll be met with restored heritage buildings housing unique shops like Vintage Vinyl & Antiques and even breweries such as Off The Rails Brewing.
One of this college town’s quirkiest attractions, the Museum of Clean features displays and artifacts relating to the history of cleanliness across cultures, with antique vacuums and old marketing displays of cleaning products. Natural attractions include the Portneuf Greenway, following the Portneuf River through town with paths for walking and cycling, and Mink Creek, located in the nearby Caribou-Targhee National Forest with hiking trails leading to spectacular waterfalls.
Coeur d'Alene
Coeur d'Alene is well-known as one of the Pacific Northwest's most scenic small towns and is home to North Idaho College, a learning center established in 1933 during the Great Depression. You can tour both the town and the campus, the latter being one of the most spectacular community college settings in the nation, thanks to its setting on the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Downtown Coeur d'Alene is equally stunning.
Located within easy walking distance of campus, it also features the world's longest floating boardwalk (it’s 3,300 feet long) and the Coeur d'Alene Resort with its famous floating golf green. Other things that have helped establish Coeur d'Alene as one of the most beautiful college towns in Idaho include scenic Tubbs Hill, a 120-acre natural park adjacent to downtown with hiking trails and lovely lake views.
McCall
The smallest of our featured towns, with just 4,200 residents, McCall punches well above its weight in terms of educational innovation and natural beauty. The McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS), part of the University of Idaho, is a year-round learning center founded in 2001 that sees graduate students serving as field instructors while completing master's degrees in environmental education. It’s a definite win-win for both town and gown, with sites like Payette Lake, a massive glacial lake, being equally important to townsfolk, students, and visitors alike.
Other must-talk-about McCall attractions include Ponderosa State Park, a 1,500-acre site on a peninsula extending into the lake that’s unique for its old-growth ponderosa pines and abundant wildlife; and McCall's Little Ski Hill, opened in 1937 as a diversion for local forest workers and now a popular winter destination for travelers and locals alike.
Final Word
Whether you’re interested in pursuing further education or just want some wonderful places to visit in Idaho, the Gem State’s best college towns need to be included in your future travel plans. These former frontier settlements have been transformed into thriving communities where top-notch learning facilities have become integral parts of the local economy, as well as the landscape. Little wonder, then, that these communities aren’t just beautiful places to study, but extraordinary places to visit, too.
