8 Best Towns In Idaho For A Two-Day Recharge
A good Idaho weekend runs one of two ways. You wear yourself out on a trail or a stretch of whitewater. Or you sink into a hot spring and let the clock stop. Some towns here are built for the first kind. Some are built for the second. These eight give you a two-day recharge either way.
Sandpoint
Framed by the shores of the 43-mile-long Lake Pend Oreille in northern Idaho, Sandpoint is well known for being a prime four-season destination. No matter the time of year that you are looking for a reset, this town has got you covered.
Set out to Sandpoint in the summer for lakeside leisure. Sandpoint City Beach Park is just two blocks from downtown and offers fantastic views of Lake Pend Oreille, the state's largest and deepest lake. Here, you can lounge, swim, or jump into a game on the park's volleyball, tennis/pickleball, basketball, or horseshoe courts. The Festival at Sandpoint Summer Series brings outdoor concerts to War Memorial Field over two weeks in late July and early August, so check the schedule if your visit lands then.
In winter, hit the slopes at Schweitzer, Idaho's largest ski resort, with 92 marked trails and an intermediate trail off of every lift. Plus, enjoy Schweitzer's ski-in, ski-out village, with 15 different restaurants to choose from. In the shoulder seasons, explore the network of trails winding through the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains, or take a stroll through the historic core, being sure to stop by the unique Cedar Street Bridge Public Market, which spans 400 feet across Sand Creek. In late September, the Idaho State Draft Horse and Mule International Show is held at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, with various pulling and driving competitions. For a truly relaxing getaway, stay at the 18-acre Talus Rock Retreat, just one mile west of downtown.
Wallace
From Sandpoint, we travel about two hours southeast around the Idaho Panhandle National Forests to reach Wallace. The entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the surrounding Silver Valley has been one of the richest silver-mining districts in the world for over a century. Surrounding Wallace are more than 1,000 miles of converted mining and logging roads, now forming a vast trail system for mountain biking, ATVs, and snowmobiling. Among the most popular routes is the Route of the Hiawatha, a 15-mile cycling and hiking trail through the Bitterroot Mountains with 10 train tunnels and seven steel trestle bridges.
Dig a little deeper into the region's mining history with the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, where a trolley ride leads you to an underground mine, guided by a retired miner. You can also take the Crystal Gold Mine Tour, which shows you what life was like for an 1880s gold miner.
Set aside time to explore Wallace's historic downtown, where turn-of-the-century brick buildings still stand along the main streets. One of the town's most photographed landmarks is the White and Bender Building, built in 1890 and featuring a distinctive corner tower and Queen Anne-style detailing. While downtown, visit the Oasis Bordello Museum, preserved exactly as it was left in 1988, and the Northern Pacific Depot Museum, which highlights the region's railroading past. Round out your visit with a stay at the Siri Christina Bed & Breakfast, an elegant three-suite Victorian home.
Salmon
Salmon is the perfect place to visit if your definition of a recharge involves time spent out in the wilderness. This scenic mountain town sits on the edge of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, a protected area spanning over 2.3 million acres and fully contained within the 4.3-million-acre Salmon-Challis National Forest. This landscape is dominated by the rugged Salmon River Mountains, Clearwater Mountains, and Bighorn Crags. It is also characterized by the Salmon River Canyon, one of the deepest gorges in North America, even deeper than the Grand Canyon. The Salmon River is also one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the US. Known by early travelers as the "River of No Return," this river offers incredible, rollercoaster-style rapids, great for multi-day rafting trips, along with superb fly fishing.
Just south of Salmon is the Goldbug Hot Springs, accessed via a two-mile trail that starts at the end of a dirt road. Though the hike can be challenging as you climb 1,350 feet, you can reward your hard work by relaxing in one of the steamy pools while admiring the magnificent views.
After a day outside, decompress at the peaceful Syringa Lodge Bed & Breakfast, sitting atop a bluff overlooking the Salmon River. A full breakfast is included at the lodge, but for an extra little treat, stop at the Odd Fellows Bakery in town.
Driggs
Driggs, Idaho, near the Wyoming border, is a haven for outdoor adventurers. At an elevation of over 6,000 feet and surrounded by the Teton, Big Hole, and Snake River mountain ranges, it offers fantastic options for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities.
Table Mountain in the Tetons has two standout trails that start in Alta: Table Mountain Trail and Alaska Basin Trail. Table Mountain is a challenging 11-mile round trip with 4,000 feet of elevation gain, while Alaska Basin stretches 16 miles with about 2,600 feet of gain. For something more moderate, the 6-mile Darby Canyon Wind Cave trail leads to a large cave with a waterfall.
When your feet are sore, take a scenic drive along the 67-mile Teton Scenic Byway, which runs between Swan Valley and Ashton, or the 28-mile Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, which takes you through the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. From this route, you can take a short hike to Mesa Falls to check out both the Upper and Lower Falls. To quench your thirst, grab a craft beer at Grand Teton Brewing or Citizen 33. If beer is not your thing, stop by Grand Teton Distillery, where they make their own vodkas and whiskeys. When it's time to crash, check in at Teton Valley Cabins, with amenities like an oversized jacuzzi, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, charcoal grill, fire ring, and even pet-friendly cabins.
Lava Hot Springs
The next town on our list is about two and a half hours to the southwest, passing through the City of Idaho Falls along the way. Just the name of this pick, Lava Hot Springs, exudes relaxation vibes.
Start your visit by checking into the Home Hotel Lava Hot Springs, one of the first large buildings erected in town. Having opened its doors in 1918, the Home Hotel is best known for its in-room natural hot-spring baths and is located just a two-minute walk from the World Famous Hot Pools.
This town's biggest draw is its Hot Pools. Odorless and brimming with minerals, the soaking pools bubble up from natural underground springs and offer a healthy, relaxing dip. Just up the road is the Swimming Complex, which has an outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool with a diving platform at the 17-ft deep end, speed water slides with 60-ft vertical drops, an Indoor Aquatic Center, and an indoor kiddie play pool. For a different kind of relaxation, take a stroll through the free Sunken Gardens, located just off Main Street, which showcase many native and exotic plants.
If you are looking for a little more excitement, River Tube down the Portneuf River, which is also fed by the natural springs. For even more thrill, do the three-and-a-half-hour Zipline Adventure and Ropes Course, with the zipline running across a private canyon between the mountains.
Stanley
Stanley is home to numerous hot springs thanks to its location over the Idaho Batholith. Some free natural hot springs include Boat Box, featuring a metal tub right on the river; Bear Valley, accessible via a challenging 3.5-mile hike; and Snake Pit, which, despite its name, is not known for snakes but for its fantastic views of the Sawtooth Mountains. For more of a spa-like experience, stay at the Mountain Village Resort and enjoy access to three different hot springs, as well as their onsite restaurant and bar.
If you are looking to venture out and explore, Redfish Lake is just 12 minutes south of town. Located in the Sawtooth National Forest, this lake offers plenty of ways to relax and enjoy nature, including kayak and paddleboard rentals, hiking trails, horseback riding with Redfish Corrals, camping, and access to the amenities at Redfish Lake Lodge, including two restaurants, a beach, and a marina. During the summer, the lodge also has live music on the lawn several nights a week.
Offering similar recreational activities is Stanley Lake, about 13 minutes west of town. If you are an avid hiker, this area is worth a visit, offering several more difficult trails that reward you with fantastic views. One such trail is Stanley Lake to Bridalveil Falls, an 8-mile out-and-back route that takes you through forest and open terrain before reaching Bridalveil Falls.
McCall
McCall is about three hours northwest of Stanley and less than two hours from the Oregon border, hugging the southern shore of Payette Lake and surrounded by the Payette National Forest.
Payette Lake spans more than 5,300 acres at nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. Formed by ancient glaciers, its crystal-clear waters reach depths of over 390 feet. About half of the lake falls within Ponderosa State Park, a 1,000-acre natural area where you can hike forested trails, camp beneath towering pines, lounge on the beach, spot local wildlife, or simply enjoy the lake. For a truly relaxing time on the water, book the two-hour sunset cruise through McCall Lake Cruises, which departs right from downtown McCall.
While downtown, take some time to explore the walkable core. Stop by the McCall Area Chamber office and pick up your passport for the McCall Ale Trail, which leads you to eight stops around town to collect stamps while sampling local craft beer and bites. On Saturday mornings in the summer, wander through the McCall Farmers Market, where local vendors set up at 2nd and Lenora Street with stands of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and tasty treats.
Stay close to all the action by checking in at the Nordic Inn, a freshly remodeled and modernized, no-fuss hotel. It offers all the essential amenities, a walkable location, and is very well priced, making it a great base for exploring the lake, local shops, and nearby restaurants.
Orofino
Our final pick lands us in Orofino, a little less than three hours north of McCall and less than an hour from the Washington border. Located within the Nez Perce Reservation, this riverside logging town is known as Idaho's "outdoor recreation hometown", with visitors drawn here for boating, fishing, hiking, and camping.
Upon your arrival here, check in at Best Western Lodge at River's Edge, close to downtown, while still providing fantastic views of the water. For a more rustic stay, Pink House Recreation Site, about 5 miles west of Orofino, offers RV and tent camping surrounded by peaceful forest. Orofino is most well known for its abundant fishing. The 54-mile-long Dworshak Reservoir, formed by the Dworshak Dam, the third-tallest dam in the US, is a fantastic spot for fishing, known for its large smallmouths. The reservoir is ideal for swimming and boating, too. The Clearwater River, which runs right past town, is known for steelhead and chinook salmon, with calmer stretches upstream popular for tubing in the summer.
Running through the surrounding Clearwater Valley, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail stretches nearly 4,900 miles from Pittsburgh to the Pacific, following the route of the famed 1804 to 1806 expedition that explored and mapped much of the American West. Just east of town, Canoe Camp is one of the easiest places to access this section of the trail, with interpretive displays and river views over the same valley that Lewis and Clark traveled.
Pick Your Pace, Pick Your Place
Whether you spend your two-day getaway soaking in all the different hot springs in Stanley, chasing waterfalls in Driggs, or sipping your way through McCall's Ale Trail, Idaho gives you a real range of ways to unwind. Pick the town that matches the kind of recharge you are looking for this time around, then check out the others another time. Or maybe you have more than two days to dedicate to a full relaxation and recharge; this list is organized in almost a loop, beginning in Sandpoint in the north and ending in Orofino, just about three and a half hours south of your starting point.
