9 Offbeat Idaho Towns To Visit In 2025
Idaho may be famous for its potatoes, but this rugged, wildly scenic state also holds a treasure trove of offbeat small towns that feel worlds away from the everyday. From the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains to the surreal volcanic plains of Craters of the Moon, Idaho invites curious travelers to step off the beaten path and discover places full of quirky charm, unexpected history, and stunning natural beauty.
Whether you're soaking in hot springs beneath starry skies, standing at the "Center of the Universe" in Wallace, or learning about nuclear energy in Arco, the first town ever powered by atomic energy, these destinations are full of unique opportunities. With outdoor adventures, small-town hospitality, and truly unique attractions, these nine offbeat Idaho towns deserve a spot on your 2025 travel list.
Wallace
Another gem in northern Idaho is Wallace, one of few towns in the country to be entirely listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With roots as an old mining town, visiting Wallace can make you feel as if you have stepped back in time while still providing you access to modern amenities. No trip to Wallace is complete without a stop at the corner of Bank and Sixth Street, where you will find a manhole cover proclaiming that Wallace is the “Center of the Universe.” It was named as such by the town’s mayor in 2004, based on the theory of probabilism, saying that if it cannot be proven that Wallace is not the Center of the Universe, then it must be.
After stopping for a photo op there, head to the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, where you will head underground to learn about mining in the richest silver district in the world. When you want to enjoy the great outdoors in Wallace, hike or bike the Route of the Hiawatha, a 15-mile trail that is a former railroad line. With tunnels and bridges along the way, the trail is all downhill, and you (and your bike!) can take convenient shuttle buses back to the top.
Sandpoint
Sandpoint is a nature lover's paradise in the panhandle of Idaho, just 60 miles away from Canada. If you are visiting in the winter, head to Schweitzer to hit the slopes. As the state’s largest ski resort, it has 92 trails to explore and averages 300 inches of snowfall yearly. After a long day on the mountain, head down to Schweitzer’s village for a bite or a relaxing spa treatment. Sandpoint is also home to the biggest and deepest lake in the state, Lake Pend Oreille. With over 100 miles of shoreline, the lake is surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and is a popular spot for boating and fishing in the summer.
Outside of its impressive views, Sandpoint is also known for its thriving arts community. To get a taste of it for yourself, take in a show at the Panida Theater, which originally opened in 1927. The venue hosts plays, comedy shows, movies, and more today.
Priest River
The town of Priest River considers itself to be Idaho’s best-kept secret. Surrounded by the Selkirk Mountain Range, the town sits on the Pend Oreille River and is less than 10 miles away from the Washington state line. One of the most beautiful places to explore near Priest River is the Kaniksu National Forest, which spans over 1,600,000 acres. With campgrounds for overnight stays and plenty of trails to explore on day trips, the forest has pristine alpine lakes and wildlife to help you escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
To learn more about the history of this town, head to the nearby Priest Lake Museum, which is housed in a charming log cabin. In addition to exhibits featuring historical artifacts, the museum hosts nature hikes and live events where you can learn more about early life in the panhandle of Idaho. One of the most unique tourist attractions in Priest River is TerBest Alpaca, which is popular with adults and kids alike. Take a farm tour where you can feed the alpacas by hand, learn about their fiber (also called wool), and see what it takes to turn alpaca fiber into yarn and clothing.
McCall
In the central part of the state, McCall is known for its annual Winter Carnival, which started in the 1960s. Now, more than 60,000 people visit the town each year to participate in the fun, making it one of the most-anticipated events in the state. During the Winter Carnival, you can view intricate ice sculptures, watch parades, and even check out the Monster Dog Pull, where pups of all sizes pull weighted sleds across a snow-covered track.
Make the most of your cold-weather vacation with a trip to Brundage Mountain Resort, where you can ski, snow tube, snowboard, or even take a guided Snowcat tour through the backcountry. If winter is not your style, head to McCall in the summer instead, where you can enjoy a day at Payette Lake. Made of clean glacial water, it has sandy beaches, tranquil fishing spots, and watercraft rentals to get you out on the water.
Hailey
Hailey is known as Idaho’s “Hometown in the Mountains,” in the Wood River Valley near Sawtooth National Forest. This welcoming town is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with recreational activities at every corner. Breathe in the fresh mountain air on the Wood River Trail, a paved path spanning more than 20 miles. In the summer, you will find hikers and bikers along the trail, popular with skiers once the snow falls. For more outdoor adventure, head to the Draper Wood River Preserve, which showcases Hailey’s community and natural beauty.
Do you consider yourself a history buff? Make a stop at the Blaine County Historical Museum on your trip to Hailey. There, you will learn about an elephant that roamed the streets in 1884, a saloon frequented by Ernest Hemingway and the history of mining in the area.
Salmon
Near the Montana border, scenic Salmon, Idaho, is most famous for being the birthplace of Sacajawea. To learn more about her important role in the Corps of Discovery, spend a day exploring the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Educational Center. It is open during the summer and has historical artifacts, photographic exhibits, and more that family members of all ages will enjoy learning about. Continue your historical journey through Salmon by visiting the Lemhi County Historical Society and Museum. There, you can learn more about the Agaidika tribe that called this land home, as the museum houses the largest collection of Agaidikia Shoshone artifacts. When you are ready to relax, hike the Warm Springs Trail to get to Goldbug Hot Springs, which features several pools of natural hot springs surrounded by mountain views.
Arco
As the first town to be powered by nuclear energy in the world, Arco is unique in its own right. To learn more about the history of nuclear energy in this town, visit the Experimental Breeder Reactor-I (EBR) Atomic Museum, which is a National Historic Landmark. While there, you can see a nuclear reactor and learn more about how electricity is generated from nuclear energy through interactive displays. If you want to feel like you are on another planet altogether, visit Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. This geologic wonder of preserved volcanic lava flows features a 52-mile-long crack in the Earth’s crust called the Great Rift and scattered sagebrush for a view unlike any other.
Another unique landmark in Arco is affectionately known as “Number Hill,” where you will see numbers painted on the side of a mountain. The tradition started back in 1920, when local high school seniors climbed the mountain to paint their graduation year. In the years since, students have continued to make the trek to mark their time in history as well. Today, it makes for a fun photo op for visitors.
Driggs
In eastern Idaho, just across the Wyoming border, you will find Driggs, where stunning mountain views meet an impressive arts scene. The town is on the “quiet side” of the Teton Mountains, so the Teton Geo Center is a natural first stop. When you visit this community-curated museum, you can explore interactive exhibits about geology and history and stop by the attached climbing gym for an extra dose of adventure.
Another fun spot is the Teton Valley Museum, which showcases early life in the shadows of the infamous mountains. With over 10,000 square feet to explore, give yourself plenty of time to see inside a covered wagon, learn about a horse-drawn yellow school bus, and ring an old school bell. Not only is summer a beautiful time to visit Driggs, but it is also the perfect season for art-loving travelers. The annual Driggs Plein Air Festival runs in late July and features work from local artists in addition to workshops where you can learn from experienced painters.
Buhl
Buhl is known as the Trout Capital of the World, as the town sits near the Snake River and is home to several fish hatcheries. One of the most scenic places to fish in Buhl is at the Clear Lake Country Club. Featuring a 15-acre lake stocked with rainbow trout, fishing is open to the public year-round for a small fee. If fishing is not your idea of relaxation, how about taking a relaxing soak in a geothermal pool instead? Miracle Hot Springs has a variety of outdoor soaking pools, private baths, and even a cold plunge option for those seeking hydrotherapy during their travels. You can even make a full stay out of it with the spa’s dome lodges for an elevated camping experience.
For another moment of zen, head to one of the area’s most photographed spots, Balanced Rock, just south of Buhl. Standing nearly 50 feet tall and weighing over 40 tons, the impressive rock balances on a small three-foot pedestal, making it a fun spot for those looking for the perfect eye-catching photo op.
There Is Plenty to Explore in These Offbeat Idaho Towns
No matter your preferred traveling style, these unique towns in the Gem State offer a refreshing break from the ordinary. As you explore them, you will find towns where fishing and hiking are part of daily life, towering mountains rise into the blue skies, and community members are there to make you feel right at home. Whether planning a snowy ski trip in Sandpoint, feeding alpacas in Priest River, or learning about nuclear energy in Arco, adventure is waiting for you in Idaho.
