8 Overlooked Towns In Idaho Worth Visiting

Idaho’s lesser-known towns deliver a refreshing break from crowded tourist hubs, especially places like Wallace and McCall. Wallace draws travelers with its mining heritage and easy access to mountain trails, while McCall brings a relaxed lake-town spirit with year-round recreation on Payette Lake. Towns across the state share a similar inviting character, blending outdoor adventure, small-town culture, and local history. Here is a rewarding list of Idaho destinations that are often overlooked but well worth the trip.

Wallace

Wallace stands as an overlooked Idaho town where history, music, and mountain scenery meet in a compact, walkable setting. The Wallace Music Festival energizes downtown streets each year, bringing acclaimed performers and lively crowds to this small mountain community. Nearby, the Pulaski Tunnel Trail offers hikers a poignant glimpse into the 1910 fires, as the route leads to an overlook where they can view the creek from across the historic Nicholson mine entrance, creating a powerful mix of landscape and local heritage.

Back in town, the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, Inc. takes visitors underground with guided walks that highlight regional mining traditions, concluding at a shop filled with rocks and specialty items. The Wallace District Mining Museum continues that story with exhibits, artifacts, and a mock mine experience that deepens the connection to the Coeur d’Alene Mining District.

Sandpoint

Sandpoint remains an overlooked lakeside town despite sitting beside Idaho’s largest lake, the 43-mile-long Lake Pend Oreille. Sandpoint was named Most Beautiful Small Town in America by Rand McNally and USA Today in 2011. Mountain Horse Adventures brings a quiet thrill as riders move through old-growth forest and reach sweeping viewpoints in the northern panhandle. High above town, Schweitzer anchors year-round recreation with celebrated winter terrain, expansive bowls, and summer trails stretching across the Selkirk Mountains.

Down by the water, Sandpoint City Beach Park creates a serene shoreline scene with soft sand, tranquil lake views, and a peaceful atmosphere that's well-suited for unhurried afternoons. Later, the Pend d’Oreille Winery Tasting Room adds a welcoming spot to enjoy a tasting, listen to live music, or join a Paint and Sip session.

Lewiston

Lewiston offers travelers striking natural features and vibrant local culture. In springtime, the city hosts the delightful Dogwood Festival. This celebration is named for the abundant dogwood trees that are in fragrant bloom; during and shortly after the festival, these pink blossoms drift through yards and streets like snowflakes. The event also features the "Show and Shine" classic car show alongside the other attractions. For those seeking relaxation and outdoor adventure, Hells Gate State Park is a classic riverside retreat with campsites, water sports, an education center, and scenic hiking trails.

Furthermore, the community is rich in history and has a thriving commerce. The Nez Perce County Historical Society operates a dedicated museum that showcases exhibits on Nez Perce history and culture, featuring hands-on displays for children. For adult tastes, Clearwater Canyon Cellars produces ultra-premium wines crafted from grapes grown in the Lewis-Clark Valley and selected vineyards across the greater Northwest.

McCall

McCall sits along the southern edge of Payette Lake, a glacial centerpiece surrounded by the wild stretches of Payette National Forest. Days here begin with calm shoreline views or quiet moments on sandy beaches, while boat rentals and fishing draw travelers who like time on the water. Ponderosa State Park enhances the outdoor appeal with winding trails, seasonal recreation, and peaceful forest routes that change with the seasons, from spring to summer.

McCall Lake Cruises offers a relaxed way to experience the lake aboard a spacious vessel designed for scenic rides, gatherings, and sunset outings. In addition, Brundage Mountain Resort adds a high-country escape with ski terrain, winter excitement, and backcountry routes that bring steady adventure throughout the colder months.

Salmon

Salmon sits amid mountain valleys shaped by history and rugged scenery, giving the town a character many travelers miss. Goldbug Hot Springs draws hikers along a steady climb to waterfall-fed pools perched above a dramatic landscape. The Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Education Center expands the area’s story across 70 acres bordered by the Continental Divide and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, tracing the lives of the Agaidika Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Sacajawea, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The Lemhi Historical Museum adds depth with exhibits focused on Salmon City and Lemhi County, keeping local heritage accessible year-round. Meanwhile, Idaho River Journeys adds another layer of adventure through its long-running guided rafting trips, run by a family team known for providing personal service and detailed attention.

Idaho City

Idaho City stands out with calm surroundings and a strong sense of place. The Springs creates a serene escape with a spotless setting, a spacious soaking pool, and a cozy private tub experience that feels like a personal spa. Nearby, the Boise Basin Museum steps back in time to the 1860s, highlighting the city’s gold rush peak through artifacts, photographs, and a streetscape lined with preserved nineteenth-century buildings.

Furthermore, the Idaho City Visitors Center helps travelers uncover local stories, share a friendly chat, or pick up a small keepsake while enjoying the surrounding forested scenery. BoCo Collectibles adds character downtown, offering local art and souvenirs.

Ketchum

Ketchum sits amid striking country shaped by the Sawtooth Wilderness Area, a vast landscape with scenic byways, hundreds of lakes, and extensive trails surrounded by fir, spruce, and pine. Further north, the Lake Creek Trailhead leads into quiet terrain, giving hikers access to miles of non-motorized paths on Forest Service land that showcase the region’s natural character.

Meanwhile, Taylor Canyon brings steep stretches, wildflowers in June, and sweeping Sawtooth views that reward every climb. Additionally, the North Fork Campground is situated along the Big Wood River at an elevation of 6,300 feet, offering travelers the opportunity to enjoy fishing, tubing, and the Harriman Trail.

Driggs

Driggs sits in a scenic corner of eastern Idaho and was named one of the nation’s top outdoor recreation destinations by National Geographic in 2007. Leigh Creek Outfitters introduces visitors to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest through horseback rides and wilderness trips tailored to each rider’s comfort level, guided by locals with deep ties to the terrain. Meanwhile, the Teton Geotourism Center highlights the valley’s character through interactive exhibits that reveal its environment, culture, and heritage.

Additionally, the Teton Valley Museum expands the story with two floors of displays covering more than two centuries, from pioneer life to encounters with wildlife, complete with a teepee, covered wagon, and authentic log cabin. Finally, Grand Teton Distillery adds a unique perspective with craft spirits produced at 6,200 feet, utilizing regional ingredients and mineral-rich snowmelt, which gives Driggs a distinctive sense of place.

Idaho’s smaller towns reveal a side of the state that many travelers overlook, yet each place offers its own unique blend of scenery, character, and steady outdoor energy. Salmon adds history, hot springs, and river adventures shaped by deep cultural roots. Ketchum rounds things out with Sawtooth peaks, high-country paths, and riverfront escapes. Together, these eight towns show why exploring beyond Idaho’s main hubs is always rewarding.