These 6 Towns In Idaho Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2025
With Idaho's high-achieving agriculture in the spotlight, its remarkable sights and scenes are often overshadowed and overlooked. Nevertheless, this potato-packed state is so much more than its crops, boasting truly breathtaking landscapes and landmarks worth exploring. From mountains reminiscent of the Swiss Alps to lakes so blue you’ll think the photos are edited, the “Gem State” lives up to its nickname, inviting visitors to dig a little deeper to unveil its treasures. Coupled with good-old-fashioned hospitality, it is easy to see why these 6 Idaho towns were ranked among the US favorites in 2025.
Sun Valley
Bounded by Challis National Forest and the Smoky Mountains’ Sawtooth range, Sun Valley is a vibrant four-season escape with a “star-studded history.” After opening in 1936, the Sun Valley Resort propelled its namesake town to fame as a ski getaway, attracting iconic names like Ernest Hemingway and Marilyn Monroe. This acclaim still thrives over half a century later, with US News listing the ski town as one of the “Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA for 2025.” Boasting over 2,000 skiable acres, the Sun Valley Resort is a blissful alternative to Colorado’s often-crowded slopes.
When the snow melts in the Smokies, Sun Valley transforms into a hiker’s paradise, with 400 miles of trails to choose from. For those new to hiking or traveling with family, the White Clouds Trail network offers beginner-friendly routes like the White Clouds Loop. This leisurely hike offers stunning mountain scenes with a gentle incline, right across from the Sun Valley Lodge. Alternatively, more experienced hikers can tackle gorgeous paths like the Norton Lake Trail. While the 1,500 elevation gain is gradual, it is definitely a workout to its grand finale. Pine-studded and mountain-backed, Norton Lake’s turquoise waters are truly postcard-worthy and well worth the trek.
Coeur d’Alene
For postcard scenes that rival Europe’s, consider a trip to northwest Idaho, home to the town of Coeur d’Alene. In a 2025 article, “5 US towns that feel like Europe,” USA Today likens Coeur d’Alene to Switzerland, applauding its alpine waters and mountain backdrops. A gateway to Lake Coeur d’Alene, the Coeur d’Alene Mountains, and Panhandle National Forest, this Idaho haven offers gorgeous views from every angle. Unsurprisingly, it remains one of Idaho’s top tourist towns, seeing a record number of tourists in summer 2025 according to KXLY.com.
Tubbs Hill is one of the town’s prettiest parks, spanning 165 acres along Lake Coeur d’Alene. The 2-mile Tubbs Hill Nature Trail is its most popular route, looping along the alpine waterfront with a stunning mountain backdrop. Paddling the namesake lake is another romantic way to take in these views, whether renting gear from Kayak Coeur d'Alene from May through September or bringing your own. Alternatively, for lake fun later in the year, Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises offers daily cruises from April through October and specialty holiday cruises in the winter.
Wallace
Under 50 miles southeast of Coeur d’Alene, Wallace offers a charming change of setting with its time capsule downtown and spectacular natural surroundings. Having produced over 1 billion ounces of silver since 1884, this “Silver Capital of the World” has a heart of gold and a love for welcoming visitors. Frozen in time, downtown Wallace is the town’s beating heart, lined with Victorian-era structures, including attractions like the Wallace District Mining Museum. From spring through fall, visitors can also explore Wallace underground on a Sierra Silver Mine Tour, guided by retired miners.
With the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River flowing right through Wallace, storybook scenes are never far. Just southeast of town, nature lovers can also access the Route of the Hiawatha, one of Idaho’s most iconic outdoor attractions. The former railroad line, now a 15-mile cycling and walking trail, is absolutely spellbinding. Passing through tunnels and towering trestle bridges, the route guides travellers under and over the Bitterroot Mountains, showcasing dramatic and diverse scenes.
Stanley
Home to a mere 122 residents as of 2024, Stanley is a small town with a colossal backyard: the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Just five minutes from the 756,000-acre wilderness, Stanley is the perfect jumping-off point to natural wonders like Redfish Lake. Backed by the majestic Sawtooth Mountains, this crystal clear lake is as beautiful as it is fun. Whether hiking the Redfish Trailhead, lounging on Redfish Beach, or renting a pontoon from the neighboring Marina, its bright blue waters will steal your breath at every turn.
During colder months, Stanley’s natural hot springs are a tranquil alternative. Right in town, the Mountain Village Hot Spring features spring-fed tubs and pools with views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Paired with a Lodge, Saloon, and rustic Restaurant, the Mountain Village is the perfect place for an overnight stay in Stanley. Alternatively, continuing along the Salmon River, the Sunbeam Hot Springs is a breezy 15-minute drive from town, perfect for those passing through. Free to access, the site offers a more natural feel, unobstructed by buildings. In place of tubs, visitors can construct makeshift rock walls to soak in the waters while enjoying views of the river and tree-dotted hillsides.
Sandpoint
A gateway to Lake Pend Oreille and the northern Rocky Mountains, Sandpoint offers the perfect blend of bliss and adventure. According to a 2025 Travel + Leisure article, this picture-perfect mountain town stands out for having “the Deepest Lake and Largest Ski Resort in the State.” At 1,158 feet deep, Lake Pend Oreille is an oasis for anglers, its waters teeming with kamloops and kokanee salmon. As for its serene 111-mile shoreline, Sandpoint City Beach Park brings the town to life in the spring and summer months.
Once beach crowds dwindle with the chill of fall, lake views can still be enjoyed by driving the Pend d'Oreille Scenic Byway. But once Sandpoint is blanketed with snow, the Schweitzer Mountain Resort takes center stage. The largest ski resort in Idaho, Schweitzer boasts 92 runs across 2,900 acres of skiable terrain. By riding to the summit on frontside chairlifts like the Lakeview Triple, panoramic views of Lake Pend Oreille will also make your time in Sandpoint that much more magical.
McCall
Situated 5,000 feet high on the shores of Payette Lake, McCall and its surrounding mountains make it the perfect place to disconnect from everyday stresses. Much like Sandpoint, this Payette National Forest town is a year-round paradise for nature lovers, with something fun in every season. In winter, the Brundage Mountain Resort is McCall’s crown jewel, drawing winter sport enthusiasts with its “reputation for the Best Snow in Idaho™.” Beyond its world-class ski trails, Brundage also offers thrilling Snowcat Adventures, Snowmobile Tours, and family-friendly Snow Tubing.
Summer on Brundage offers its own alpine fun, including Scenic Chairlift Rides and mountaintop events like concerts and yoga. Alternatively, back at ground level, Ponderosa State Park centers around McCall’s other crown jewel, Payette Lake. In spring, the park’s Meadow Marsh brightens with a mosaic of wildflowers, while summer is the best time to kayak or swim. Before the snow hits, autumn’s milder temperatures are best for hiking overlook paths like the Ponderosa State Park Loop, while winter transforms the park into a Nordic ski area.
Discover Idaho's Top Towns
Idaho may be renowned for the humble potato, but its mountain landscapes and alpine lakes are anything but unassuming. Whether biking beneath a mountain in Wallace or riding the same slopes skied by Marilyn Monroe in Sun Valley, Idaho’s sights and experiences are proof that agriculture is only one side of Idaho. While farming will always be an integral part of this Western state, its jaw-dropping beauty is equally worth the world’s attention.
