6 Time-Capsule Towns in Idaho

Although you can come to Idaho to bike around the Sawtooth Mountains, explore a slice of Yellowstone, or take a trip down the Snake River, you can also come to explore its small, restful towns, some of which are tucked in tranquil mountain valleys, sit in areas with misty rivers, or are surrounded by vast and peaceful farmland. That said, there are a decent number of Idaho small towns that are incredibly nostalgic; you almost feel like you are walking straight into the 1800s, brushing shoulders with gun-slinging outlaws, hearing the echo of active silver mines, or the rambling chitter chatter of rowdy casinos. If you love old buildings and nostalgic feelings, keep reading to discover 6 time-capsule towns in Idaho.

Custer

Custer, Idaho, is a handsomely preserved ghost town with flashes of 19th-century mining life. It is hidden in the Salmon-Challis National Forest and is part of the Land of Yankee Fork State Park, a living museum of Idaho’s frontier mining days. Today, the entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places, adding to its credentials as among Idaho's best and most unique time capsules. It is not common to find that a town is part of a state park, much less of the Land of Yankee Fork’s mold.

You will find old mining equipment tucked away in the trees, abandoned structures that are still standing, and an air that carries echoes of the 1800s. Don't miss the nearby Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, an interesting piece of machinery that dredged rocks to find gold, Bonanza Cemetery, to read interesting plaques and enjoy an hour of quiet reflection, and the nearby ghost town of Bonanza.

Wallace

Once a booming mining town, Wallace is unique because, unlike other contemporaries that are now a shell of their former selves, Wallace still remains one of the world’s top producers of silver today. It was founded in 1884 and still brims with elements of the bygone era. Wallace’s entire downtown district, resplendent in its brick and Victorian architecture, is on the National Registry of Historic Places. You will find cowboy-era storefronts, interesting museums, breweries, and a couple of inviting restaurants, many of which adjoin the unique, colorful buildings that used to be train depots, brothels, and rowdy saloons.

The breathtaking Bitterroot Mountains peer down on the town and provide a picture-perfect backdrop with a touch of timelessness. Pulaski Tunnel Trail, just a hair out of town, is not an ordinary trail. It is a walk through history, especially because it leads to the historic tunnel where the U.S. Forest Ranger Ed Pulaski famously saved tens of firefighters during the Great Fire of 1910, one of the largest wildfires in U.S. history. Meanwhile, the Parking Area and Silver History Site is a nice little park on the edge of town with some interesting mining equipment and historical items. It can be a good sequel to the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum.

Idaho City

It may not look like it, but Idaho City was once the largest city in the Northwest. In its heyday, it was larger than Portland, Oregon, and was home to more than 7,000 residents. Flashes of the bygone era are present today in the air, in the atmosphere, and in several places, including at the Boise Basin Museum, originally built in 1867 to house the post office and a book and specialty shop. BoCo Sluice Box, at the corner of Main Street and Centerville Road, is a quirky spot with unique kinds of antiques, vintage knick-knacks, and other types of secondhand stuff. You will enjoy perusing the old shops and popping inside restaurants to sample the town's culinary landscape. Trudy's Kitchen, known for robust and delicious ginger steaks, is one such place. Cowboy Campground at Legacy Park is just around the corner and has cool trails leading into town.

Montpelier

Montpelier is in Bear Lake County, near the Idaho and Utah state line, in the state's bottom right corner. It is framed by beautiful natural landmarks, particularly Bear Lake, aptly called the "Caribbean of the Rockies." This is in reference to its turquoise waters that can often appear as blue as the sky on a clear day. Bear Lake is the go-to spot for several recreational activities, including boating, paddleboarding, trout fishing, and kayaking. Montpellier has spots that provide the endearing, step-back-into-time feeling, as if you have walked straight into the 1800s.

It plays host to the last standing bank in the entire world that Butch Cassidy and his gang robbed, a time capsule that today operates as the Butch Cassidy Museum. If you have a thing for homemade waffle cones and delicious caramels, Papa's Chocolates serves some of the best homemade candies in southern Idaho. Alternatively, Studebaker's Pizza is just across the street from the Butch Cassidy Museum.

Franklin

Franklin is the oldest town in Idaho and, as would be expected, is among the best go-to places for a time-capsule feel. It offers a rich historical experience with several handsomely preserved buildings and a charming small-town atmosphere. Several buildings in the Franklin Historic District have a history that dates back to the 1800s. For example, The Hatch House, which was built by the town’s first mayor, has been around since the 1870s. It was the largest residence in town at the time it was built. Franklin City Park, a wonderful piece of history by itself, has a frisbee golf course, a pickleball court, and a playground for the kids.

If you want to better appreciate the natural scenery around Franklin, spend the night at the Day Mountain Ranch Resort in neighbouring Preston. You will discover rustic cabins hidden away in a secluded canyon on hundreds of acres, complete with horseback riding opportunities and a military grade shooting range.

Rupert

Rupert is a small, laid-back town with no huge supermarkets but small mom-and-pop restaurants and thriving, cute, little stores. It is only about 30 minutes from Pomerelle Mountain, one of the best skiing resorts in Idaho and one of the oldest ski areas in the western U. S. Lake Walcott, which is east of town, is pretty and a cool place to explore with an inflatable kayak. The special thing with Rupert is that the entire town square is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

The historic buildings, some of which have been around since the early 1900s, are in incredible shape and look like they were built just the other day. The Gathering Place, right across the town square, is a one-of-a-kind quilt shop with a wide selection of beautifully curated fabrics. At the Historic Wilson Theatre, every detail of the original art and architecture has been painstakingly recreated by local artisans and craftsmen. You will want to pass by the theatre, especially to admire the architecture and probably catch a mood-lifting afternoon show that makes you giggle out the door.

The Takeaway

We are always enamored by the old stuff, by red bricks that hold hundreds of years within their walls, and by storefronts whose history goes back to the days of boot-wearing cowboys. It could be the humbling sense of timelessness. It could also be because we have romanticized the past as the days when everything was good; neighbors meeting to roast marshmallows, ride horses, or have fireside chats about things great and small. Fortunately, Idaho is beautifully pockmarked by several small, slow-paced towns, some of which look like nothing else but hypnotic time capsules.