Idaho’s landscape is renowned for being untamed. Its picturesque scenery includes tumultuous rivers, snow-capped mountains, and thick woods. Idaho’s most charming small cities in Idaho, the edges of these untamed landscapes, serve as entry points to their expansive surroundings.
It’s a picturesque journey to travel to these small towns. Whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, and hot spring soaks are more picture-perfect pursuits. And when winter arrives, travellers swarm to these mountain villages to enjoy some of Idaho’s best snowboarding and skiing.
Excellent little towns offer more than easy access to the outdoors, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or looking to settle down. The most small charming cities all have a distinct past that contributes to their identity. These varied tales, which range from the beginnings of silver mines to Olympic training grounds, enhance the visitor experience.
best small towns in idaho
Sun Valley
Sun Valley, located in central Idaho and surrounded by breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, has long been a popular tourist attraction. One of the greatest ski resorts in the United States, “America’s First Destination Ski Resort,” is in Sun Valley. But Sun Valley’s year-round appeal to locals and celebrities goes beyond skiing and snowboarding.
It’s no coincidence that Sun Valley is called that. The Wood River Valley is blanketed in blue skies most of the year. Many outdoor activities are available in the Sawtooth National Forest, particularly on this bright forecast. Golfing, mountain biking, fly fishing, mountain climbing, Trail running, and horseback riding are all examples of regular activities (and that’s just during the summer).
In addition to the nearby town of Ketchum, the area has a number of hotel choices. An old haunt of Ernest Hemingway, the Sun Valley Lodge is a popular place to stay. The memorial for this renowned writer is located on Sun Valley Road; he concluded his career in Ketchum.
Sandpoint
The picturesque little hamlet of Sandpoint is located on the beaches of Lake Pend Oreille and is encircled by three mountain ranges. This charming alpine town offers year-round activities and recreation. Sandpoint is a year-round vacation destination because of its welcoming community and vibrant arts and culture.
Activities for summertime involve mountain riding, camping, and visiting the neighboring Lake Pend Oreille, which is pronounced “pond oh-RAY.” One of the best lakes in Idaho, this one is also the biggest in the state.
There are thousands of acres to explore in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest near Sandpoint. At the less than 15-mile-distance Schweitzer Mountain Resort, downhill skiing is a popular winter sport.
Sandpoint annually provides millions of visitors with abundant lodging, dining, and shopping options. Every August, the Festival at Sandpoint, which offers eight nights of live music, is one of the most important events in the area.
Stanley
Located in central Idaho, Stanley is one of the state’s crown jewel mountain towns. Stanley is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking alpine scenery in the nation. This proximity makes for abundant opportunities for exploration and elevates Stanley to the top of all Idaho recreation lists.
One of the greatest national parks in Idaho is Sawtooth National Recreation Area, right outside Stanley’s back door. With more than 40 mountains rising to a height of 10,000 feet, this breathtaking landscape is traversed by more than 700 miles of multipurpose trails. Bighorn sheep, black bears, and elk are abundant throughout the recreation area, along with alpine lakes.
Redfish Lake should be among the first places you visit in Stanley. This magnificent body of water serves as a backdrop that highlights the unique qualities of the Sawtooth Mountains. In addition, it has one of the Recreation Area’s busiest campgrounds, with reservations filling up to six months in advance.
For a town with less than 100 residents, Stanley has an astonishing amount of unique and mouthwatering dining establishments. The many menus in Stanley are supported by the influx of tourists. And that’s also the reason for the abundance of resorts and cabins in the region.
McCall
Idaho’s McCall is a popular adventure destination. Located in the southwest of the state, on the shores of Payette Lake, is this small town with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. Slightly more than a hundred miles from the capital city, it’s a well-liked weekend getaway from Boise.
Nearly the entire town is surrounded by the vast Payette National Forest. Visitors enjoy downhill skiing, backpacking, and hot springs in these wooded surroundings. River fishing, camping, and day hikes are other well-liked pastimes.
McCall is close to two of the greatest state parks in Idaho in addition to the national forest. There are numerous campsite options and water access at Ponderosa Pine and Lake Cascade State Parks. Located directly behind McCall, Ponderosa Pine State Park offers immediate access to its 1,000-acre peninsula that forms a swath through Payette Lake.
Although McCall’s summer months speak for themselves, winter travel is also very popular. At the end of January, McCall holds the traditional Winter Carnival, which includes the Idaho State Snow Sculpting Championships. Additional winter sports include snowmobiling to Burgdorf Hot Springs or skiing at the neighbouring Tamarack Resort.
Wallace
Wallace is located in northern Idaho and is easily recognizable as a small town with a historic charm when passing through it on Interstate 90. Wallace’s downtown facades are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which explains why. Wallace is a picture-perfect destination because of its historic charm and the surrounding verdant mountain valley.
The accessibility of adventure is another factor that draws visitors to Wallace. The town is surrounded by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, which offer thousands of miles of trails and abandoned mining roads. Twenty miles east of Wallace is where the famed Route of the Hiawatha begins for cyclists. The 73-mile Trail of the Coeur d’Alene also traverses the town.
The late 1800s silver mining boom is where the town’s history started. Wallace has endured many ups and downs, including “the Big Burn,” and is now among the richest mining towns. Guided mine tours, mining museums, and walks through the historic downtown area give visitors a sense of this history.
Salmon
Salmon serves as a base camp for adventure in central Idaho, close to the Montana border. On the edge of the vast Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the “River of No Return” passes through the settlement. In between travels, Salmon provides a cultural haven and backyard access to stunning alpine landscapes.
Rafters and fishermen consider the Salmon River, which flows past the town, to be among the best rivers in Idaho. Outfitters at Salmon provide guided trips covering every inch of this magnificent stream. Multi-day cruises on the well-known Middle Fork of the Salmon are among the guided excursions. Upstream and downstream fishing excursions are also catered to by local guides.
This community of less than 4,000 people is popular with tourists for reasons other than the river. Salmon’s noteworthy natural settings offer some of the state’s greatest hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding experiences. Winter is quite lively as well. Salmon offers all snow-related activities, including downhill skiing at one of Montana’s top ski resorts, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, which is close by.
Driggs
Located on the Idaho side of the Teton Range, the Teton Valley is home to this small town that serves as a major destination. Another name for Teton Valley is the “quiet side of the Tetons.” However, Teton Valley offers abundant outdoor attractions all year round, making it a great place to explore large landscapes and find things to do.
Travellers to Driggs can ascend Teton Canyon to reach the rear of Grand Teton National Park. Here, postcard views of the remarkable range may be found in vibrant settings like Table Rock and Alaska Basin. In the neighbouring Caribou-Targhee National Forest, several additional multi-use paths offer striking views of the mountains.
The town closest to Grand Targhee Ski Resort is Driggs. This ski resort in Wyoming is well-known for receiving more than 500 inches of snow annually. Situated across state lines and 12 miles west of the slopes, Driggs is a warm and inviting basecamp for the ski resort. In addition to the many vacation rentals available, Driggs is home to a few motels and cottages.
Bonners Ferry
Bonners Ferry is a weekend destination that is located halfway between Sandpoint and the Canadian border. Three mountain ranges encircle the surrounding area, and the Kootenai River flows directly through the old downtown. There are several adventure activities available in this tiny alpine hamlet, home to less than 3,000 people.
From Bonners Ferry, you may go fishing, mountain biking, and picturesque driving on a daily basis. Other well-liked ways to experience adventure are through boating, camping, and taking advantage of the solitude. About ten miles away, the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge provides numerous chances to see animals.
Bonners Ferry’s historic downtown area offers many neighbourhood eateries and retail establishments. The Boundary County Museum is located on the banks of the Kootenai River close to downtown. This fascinating non-profit museum provides fascinating insights into the region’s past. Open all year round, Thursday through Saturday, is this classic roadside destination.
Island Park
Island Park is located in eastern Idaho and is a component of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The enormous Island Park Caldera, one of the world’s largest volcanic craters, encircled the entire small town. This formerly explosive terrain is home to a friendly Yellowstone base camp and colourful forests.
A well-liked destination for visitors to Yellowstone is Island Park. The town’s local eateries and Island Park hotels accommodate overnight guests, while the park’s western entrance is a 30-minute drive away. However, Island Park offers more landscape exploration options than only Yellowstone.
Island Park has the Caribou-Targhee National Forest all around it. Additionally, plenty of other exciting places are nearby, such as Harriman State Park. Beginning south of the town, the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway leads to one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Idaho. The Henrys Fork of the Snake River is a free-flowing river well-liked by floaters and anglers north of the town.
Priest River
The picturesque town of Priest River sits in northern Idaho, close to the Washington border. The daring Selkirk Mountains surround the city, and the Priest River bears its name. Additionally, the enormous Lake Pend Oreille, which borders the southern municipal boundaries, is the allure of this peaceful retreat.
Outdoor activities drive Priest River’s tourism. The town has a more hidden gem quality than other outdoor destinations in the state. The recreational landscapes of Priest River are expansive and uncrowded. Backpacking, hiking, boating, and fishing are popular pastimes.
The Priest River is one of the southernmost points on the International Selkirk Loop. This picturesque 280-mile trip enters Canada. Priest River turns into a major hub for snowmobile traffic in the winter.
Idaho City
When it was first established in 1862 during the Boise Basin Gold Rush, this mountain community was called “Bannock.” Prospectors in their thousands, hoping to strike it rich, crowded the streets. Bannock was one of the biggest communities in the Pacific Northwest when it first opened.
Before the turn of the century, Bannock met its demise. Idaho City is the name given to the nearly abandoned town today. It provides an interesting weekend excursion along with a peek into this past. By car, the historic gold town may reach Boise in under an hour by travelling the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. Simply for the scenery, the drive is worth taking.
With less than 500 residents, Idaho City is almost completely deserted, yet it offers a startling array of tourist attractions. Purchasing antique, handcrafted, and locally produced goods is a popular way to spend a day. The nearby Boise National Forest offers many large-scale experiences that may be accessed from the small town.
Garden Valley
In central Idaho, Garden Valley is an adventurous community encircled by the Boise National Forest. It should come as no surprise that this settlement of less than 500 full-time residents is located on the breathtakingly picturesque Banks-Lowman Road, which links the towns of Banks and Lowman. Another name for this 35-mile route is the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway.
Even just the journey to Garden Valley is a breathtaking experience. When you arrive, though, a world of amusement greets you on every side, in addition to a limited number of eateries and convenience stores. This mountain community’s back door lies the Boise National Forest, which offers mountain riding, hot springs, and fishing.
Grocery stores and a few eateries can be found in Garden Valley and the nearby village of Crouch. However, services still need to be provided. Garden Valley is frequently visited for day trips, particularly from Boise, slightly over an hour’s drive away. The most popular place to stay overnight is the nearby Boise National Forest, where camping is permitted.
