Idaho's 7 Unsung Small Towns

Beneath towering peaks, along winding rivers, and tucked into remote valleys, Idaho's small towns rarely make the headlines, but that's part of their appeal. In places like Wallace and Driggs, main streets hold locally owned shops and annual festivals that make each town feel distinctive and exciting despite drawing smaller crowds than their urban counterparts. From the logging legacies in Priest River to traces of gold rush glory in Idaho City, each place carries a story that doesn't need hype or media attention. They're the unsung corners of Idaho where everyday life is an adventure in and of itself.

Wallace

If Wallace looks like a movie set, that's because it literally was one. Its steep, brick-lined streets and stacked hillside buildings played 19th-century Wyoming in the 1980 film, Heaven's Gate. That same silver-boom architecture still defines the town today, packed tightly into Idaho's Silver Valley beneath the Bitterroot Mountains. Its main streets bend and climb, passing the Center of the Universe manhole cover at Bank and Sixth. It's an inside joke made permanent by a former mayor and embraced by everyone else.

The seasonal Sierra Silver Mine Tour drops straight underground from town, walking visitors through the tunnels that built Wallace's reputation as the Silver Capital of the World. A few blocks away, the Oasis Bordello Museum preserves the last operating brothel in Idaho, intact and totally unapologetic. It's just one of the many attractions in this town that deserves more attention.

Ketchum

Luxury travelers know Sun Valley for its ski pedigree, while its next-door neighbor, Ketchum, flies delightfully under the radar. It's surprising, considering how much actually happens along its compact Main Street in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains. Ernest Hemingway chose this place to settle late in life for a reason, and the pull still shows in a downtown that feels lived-in rather than polished.

Once a year, any lingering sense of understatement disappears during Wagon Days, however, when original Lewis and Clark-era wagons roll straight through town in the largest non-motorized parade in the Pacific Northwest. Shops, sidewalks, and side streets all funnel into the spectacle. The town also has a number of fun, character-filled spots to eat and grab a drink, no matter the time of year, such as Grumpy's, for the best burgers in Ketchum, and The Kneadery, both of which feel distinctive to the rustic, alpine town they serve.

Driggs

For a town that often gets overlooked despite being at the foot of the Teton Range, Driggs' Main Street is full of energy year-round. Local watering holes like The Royal Wolf pub and independently owned shops like The Velvet Moose give downtown a distinct personality, serving as gathering spots for locals and visitors alike. The Teton Valley Balloon Rally sees the sky fill with dozens of colorful hot air balloons, while the annual Snowscapes festival brings snow sculpture carving to South Main Street.

Driggs' location by the Teton River, with the jagged mountains rising behind, defines its outdoor identity, but its scale keeps it approachable compared with nearby Jackson. Leigh Creek Outfitters provides horseback access into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, letting visitors engage directly with the surrounding wilderness without leaving the valley.

Salmon

Salmon is a river town that gives anglers and kayakers a front-row seat to some of Idaho's best outdoor recreation without ever having to leave downtown. Main Street is practical yet inviting, with Junkyard Bistro serving up classic comfort food, boutique lodgings dotting the street, and shops that cater to the outdoorsy crowd who can't wait to get out on the Salmon River. The Sacajawea Center occupies more than 70 acres along the river, with interpretive trails and gardens that illuminate the Shoshone guide's role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Lemhi County Historical Museum preserves the story of Salmon and Lemhi County, and landmarks throughout town echo its mining, lumber, and ranching past. Meanwhile, Salmon City Park offers picnic spots, a skate park, and a golf course right by the water.

McCall

McCall's name usually comes up amongst Idaho natives once the snow starts falling, thanks to skiing at Brundage Mountain Resort and the town's popular Winter Carnival. In the warmer months, Payette Lake defines daily life, a cold-blue glacial basin pressed right up against downtown, with Legacy Park's sandy beach and walking paths set along the shoreline. It's one of the more relaxing places to hang out during July and August. Boats idle near the marina, and McCall Lake Cruises take to the water at sunset. Downtown, Salmon River Brewery pours pints inside the 1914 train depot, Broken Horn Brewing keeps things lively a few blocks away, and the McCall Ale Trail ties the whole scene together with eight stops to complete the tasty tour.

Priest River

Priest River sits right where its namesake spills into the Pend Oreille River, with the Selkirk Mountains rising immediately behind it. That geography alone should make it more conspicuous for those traveling through Idaho, but the town's identity has always been more practical than performative. Downtown still carries the backbone of a town built by logging crews and shaped by river work.

The 1922 Beardmore Block remains one of its defining buildings, located in the heart of Main Street. Once a ballroom and a theater, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and now houses a range of local businesses, including the Priest River Chamber of Commerce. Closer to the water on Main Street, in historic brick structures, are a wide variety of popular pubs and eateries like 74 Main Public House, The Jammer, and Popeye's Lounge. The Priest River Recreation Area invites outdoor activity at the river's edge with camping sites, a public swim beach, grassy picnic spots, playgrounds, softball fields, and boat ramps all within walking distance of town.

Idaho City

For a place called a "city" and named after the state itself, Idaho City is decidedly unassuming, tucked into the wooded folds of the Boise National Forest. The town still carries the imprint of its gold rush heyday, with preserved 19th-century structures like the Judge Hailey House (1867) lining the narrow thoroughfare. The Simply Fun Historic Walking Tour ties this and other heritage spots together. Just a few minutes from downtown is the Charcoal Gulch trail, a hilly hike along the creekside. While the town of Idaho City is quiet, pared down, and historic, luxury accommodations can be found at The Springs, where a soaking pool and private tubs let visitors feel like they've discovered a personal retreat amid the surrounding pines.

Unsung Idaho towns remind you that history, mountains, and local life often exist without fanfare. Ketchum literally sits at the base of a number of the state's most prestigious ski hills and sees little attention. But, in a way, this is what makes it so charming, along with spots like Driggs and Wallace, who both have their own underappreciated attributes. Perhaps the best thing about discovering these places is that it gives you the opportunity to see something most travelers won't: a historic main street, a beloved local festival, or simply an incredible view, undisturbed and uninterrupted.