These 7 Towns In Idaho Feel Like Home
Vacations aren’t always about fast-paced thrills and new adventures. Sometimes you just need to relax and unwind in a destination that feels like home — welcoming, restorative, and safe. Idaho’s small towns are the perfect blend of cozy and comfortable. Stroll scenic streets in friendly communities, explore the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, and enjoy the Gem State like a laidback local. It won’t be long before Idaho feels like a home away from home.
Sandpoint
Tucked within easy reach of three mountain ranges in northern Idaho, Sandpoint is an outdoorsy town with a welcoming, down-to-earth vibe. Situated on the shores of scenic Lake Pend Oreille, the town is a year-round playground with more than 200 hiking trails in the area, swimming and boating at the city beach, and world-class skiing in the winter.
Hike the Mickinnick Trail to climb 2,000ft through forest and wildflower meadows to the summit and enjoy stunning views over Sandpoint. The trail, which is 7 miles out and back, is fairly challenging but well worth it for the many picturesque overlooks. You’ll find more accessible trails for an easy day hike at Round Lake State Park, 12 miles south of the town. The park offers 7 miles of relatively flat routes as well as a 58-acre lake where you can fish, boat or swim.
See the beautiful lake scenery the easy way with Lake Pend Oreille Cruises, which offers daily sightseeing tours in spring, summer, and fall. The 90-minute tour takes visitors along the lake to see lake landmarks, meet some resident wildlife, and learn about the area’s natural history.
In summer, Sandpoint hosts one of the region’s biggest music concerts, the Festival at Sandpoint. A tradition for over 40 years, the two-week festival takes place at the end of July and brings big names to the small town.
McCall
A charming resort town on the shores of Payette Lake in central Idaho, McCall is very used to showing visitors a warm welcome. It’s also happy to share its past as well as its present, being the hometown of the Central Idaho Historical Museum. Set on a 4-acre campus, the outdoor museum consists of 8 structures built in 1937 that tell the story of Idaho’s past. Highlights include the Fire Warden’s House, a 3-story log home, and a fun exhibit on Smokey the Bear.
McCall is also known as an artistic hub with lots of local talent on display. Take the McCall Art Walk to see 15 custom-made pieces dotted around town. Maps are available from the McCall Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. The creative landmarks include colorful murals, eye-catching mosaics, and stylish sculptures all crafted by Idaho artists.
Summer is farmers’ market season in McCall. The town has three to choose from, the McCall Farmers Market which runs Wednesdays and Saturdays, Donnelly Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoons, and New Meadows Farmers Market which takes place Saturdays. Whichever you attend, the markets are a great opportunity to mingle with locals, try some Idaho produce, and pick up an arts and crafts souvenir.
Wallace
Founded in 1884, Wallace is a historic mining town in Idaho’s Silver Valley. It’s also "The Center of the Universe" or at least lays claim to the title. In 2004, Wallace’s Mayor adopted the moniker on the grounds that no one can prove otherwise, and the town now celebrates every September with a lively Center of the Universe Rededication Festival.
Wallace locals are happy to share their unique history and heritage. Visit the Mine Heritage Exhibition, beside the Wallace Visitor Center, to browse mining equipment and exhibits in a four-acre riverside park and outdoor museum, or go one better and head underground with the Sierra Silver Mine Tour. The tour includes a trip through a real silver mine, guided by a former miner, as well as a classic trolley ride through Wallace’s scenic historic district.
Finish your day with a well-earned refreshment at the North Idaho Mountain Brewery, a local favorite that serves a seasonal range of craft beers brewed on the premises.
Ketchum
Ketchum, in the Wood River Valley, is a pretty town known for its incredible scenery, outdoor recreation, and friendly locals. Nestled against Idaho’s Rocky Mountains, the town began as a silver and lead mining community in the 1800s. Today Ketchum celebrates its long history with Wagon Days, the largest non-motorised parade in the Pacific Northwest. Wagon Days takes place on Labour Day weekend and features original Lewis Ore Wagons.
If you’re visiting in winter and want to hit the slopes, head for the nearby Sun Valley Resort which offers runs down Bald Mountain’s covering 2,533 acres of diverse ski terrain suitable for both beginners and experts.
In summer, hop in the car to hike the trails at the Silver Creek Nature Preserve or try your hand at fly fishing. The Silver Creek Preserve stocks the creek with trout and other fish from its own hatchery. If the weather’s not cooperating or you just fancy a day indoors, stop by the Sun Valley Museum of Art in downtown Ketchum to see eye-catching displays of work from local and regional artists.
Bonners Ferry
Just 27 miles south of the Canadian border and on the Kootenai River, Bonners Ferry began as a key fur trading post in the 1870s. It retains that spirit of hospitality, entrepreneurship, and outdoor adventure today as a lively little town amid stunning scenery.
Visit the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge to see that scenery at its best and meet a few of the town’s wilder residents. The 2,774 acre preserve is home to beavers, coyotes, deer, Bald Eagles, bears, moose, and more. There are four hiking trails through the refuge, including the easy 0.16 mile Chickadee Trail, popular with birdwatchers, and the more challenging 0.71 mile Ole Humpback Trail leading to the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.
Just opposite the City Hall downtown, you’ll find the Boundary County Museum, also known as "the Museum on Main." This quaint specialty museum contains original artifacts, period rooms, exhibits, and displays telling the story of North Idaho and the indigenous Kootenai people.
While downtown, check what’s playing at the historic Rex Theater. This local landmark first opened its doors over 100 years ago and is still entertaining visitors and locals with a diverse line-up of plays, concerts, and community theatre.
Mountain Home
Mountain Home in southwest Idaho is as welcoming and friendly as its name suggests. Known as the gateway to Idaho’s high desert, it's an ideal destination if you’re looking to relax, unwind, and enjoy some of nature’s incredible beauty.
Bruneau Dunes State Park, just a 25-minute drive south of Mountain Home, is the site of America’s tallest sand dune, which rises 470 ft above the desert. The park is popular with hikers exploring the sand dunes on foot, but you can also rent a sandboard from the Visitor Center and surf the sand in style. Visit after the sunset to do some incredible stargazing from the Bruneau Dunes Observatory and marvel at the twinkling desert night sky.
Back in town, take a wander through downtown to Railroad Park, the city’s oldest green space. The park has been newly renovated with picnic tables and a walking path. It’s also where the Mountain Home Farmers Market is held on weekends.
Family-owned Sweetbriar Winery is also open on weekends, with a tasting room ready for visitors eager to try some authentic Idaho vintages. Here you can sip award-winning wines while enjoying sweeping views over the vineyard and the mountains beyond.
Soda Springs
Soda Springs takes its name from its famous natural feature, a gushing geyser. The Soda Springs Geyser spits out hot water up to 100 feet and is the world’s only “captive” or controlled geyser.
The geyser, located at Geyser Park, erupts on the hour, every hour, so visitors can regularly catch the spectacle. Don’t just see the geyser, taste it at Hooper Springs Park where you can sip its naturally carbonated spring water and hike the beautiful leafy trails.
There’s more to Soda Springs than its geothermal wonders. In the mid-1800s the town was a stop along the Oregon Trail. Visit the Oregon Trail Park and Marina to see the wagon ruts left by the pioneers. The original trail is marked by white posts near the shores of the park’s lake, the Alexander Reservoir.
Hidden Gems in the Gem State
These cozy communities tucked away in rural Idaho are the perfect place to get away from it while still feeling at home. Hike the Rocky Mountains, wander the Oregon Trail, see the center of the universe, climb the country’s tallest sand dune. There’s so much to discover in the Gem State’s friendly small towns where the locals are always happy to show visitors around, sharing their history, their stunning wilderness, and their culture.
