The 6 Best Small Towns in Idaho
From skiing in Sun Valley to snowmobiling in Stanley to soaking in hot springs all over the state, Idaho has endless territory to explore. But what makes Idaho even better is that the outdoor adventure hubs just happen to be unique little mountain towns where there is plenty to do after a hard day on the trail.
I grew up in Boise and I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the best small towns in Idaho. Known as “The Gem State” because of its abundance of natural resources, Idaho often flies under the radar. But those who have been there, know that it is an undiscovered mecca for year-round outdoor recreation.
From skiing in Sun Valley to hiking in Stanley to soaking in hot springs all over the state, there is endless territory to explore. But what makes it even better is that the outdoor adventure hubs just happen to be unique little mountain towns where there is plenty to do after a hard day on the trail.
Here is a list of the 6 best small towns in Idaho to consider for your next summer road trip or winter ski vacation.
Best Small Towns in Idaho – Mapped
6 Best Small Towns in Idaho
1. Ketchum/Sun Valley
Home to the world’s first chairlift and the birthplace of Powder Magazine, ski culture runs deep in this lively mountain town of 2,800. With more than 3,400 vertical feet, Sun Valley has become the training ground for dozens of Olympic skiers and snowboarders. But this premier American ski resort has plenty of terrain for all skill levels and ages.
Central Idaho, where Ketchum is located, sees about 250 days of sun per year and Ketchum certainly doesn’t shut down when the snow melts. In 2014, Sun Valley opened up its lifts to mountain bikers, so now the downhill adrenaline rush can be experienced year-round.
If you prefer flat, paved terrain, the 18-mile Wood River Bike Path links Ketchum with its neighboring towns of Hailey and Bellevue and hugs the beautiful cold mountain waterway that flows from the nearby Sawtooths.
Hiking, hot springs, fly fishing, and horseback riding are also right on your doorstep in Ketchum.
For culture, Ketchum’s main drag is lined with great restaurants and bars like the Sawtooth Club and the Pioneer Saloon, which serve up traditional Idaho fare (think elk and bison), and boutique shops selling everything from local art and outdoor gear to high-end fashion. Hemingway fans will want to spend some time walking the halls at the Sun Valley Lodge where the author worked on For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Also, definitely check out Sun Valley’s events calendar when you’re in town. There’s always a ton of stuff going on like jazz festivals, wine auctions, and a summer concert series. And every October, Sun Valley hosts the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, paying homage to the West’s ranching heritage with five days of cooking classes, sheepdog competitions, wool workshops, and — of course — a sheep parade. There’s nothing quite like seeing 1,500 woolies strut their stuff down Ketchum’s main drag.
For a dog-friendly place to stay in Ketchum, check out the Limelight Hotel.
2. McCall
Located on the shore of the 5,330-acre Payette Lake, McCall is all about the water. Boaters, kayakers, SUPers, and swimmers gravitate here to explore the nooks and crannies of the deep blue glacial lake.
The area is also home to some of the best whitewater opportunities in the country. The Payette River offers everything from mellow float trips for the family to sections with class IV and V rapids. Kayakers can also work on improving their skills at Kelly’s Whitewater Park just south of town.
But McCall is probably most famous for its Winter Carnival which takes place at the end of January. Originating in 1965, this massive 10-day festival features elaborate, life-sized ice sculptures, fireworks, a winter beer garden, live music, and a Mardi Gras parade.
You also have your choice of two nearby ski resorts. Brundage Mountain is located right in town and is an intermediate mountain known for its wide groomers and consistently soft snow. Then there’s Tamarack Ski Resort, located 20 miles south of McCall on Lake Cascade, with an extensive Nordic trail system. For more fun things to do in McCall during the winter, head over to this post.
Several commercially developed hot springs are easily accessible from McCall, including Gold Fork Hot Springs and Burgdorf Hot Springs, where you can stay overnight in one of their cabins. Both are open year-round, although you’ll need a snowmobile to reach Burgdorf in winter.
3. Stanley
Sitting on the Salmon River and surrounded by the Sawtooth and White Cloud Ranges, Stanley — population 260 — is the perfect base for accessing Idaho’s beautiful backcountry. From easy day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips and summit expeditions, the trails around town lead to remote wilderness experiences.
Don’t forget your fishing pole as many of the region’s alpine lakes, like Sawtooth Lake, are stocked with trout species. In the spring, steelhead cruise through town on their 900-mile upstream journey.
If you want to plan an overnight backpacking trip, I recommend Baron Lakes.
For lakefront accommodations that don’t require a sleeping bag, the historic Redfish Lake Lodge, seven miles from town, has a range of options from simple rooms to large, stand-alone 10-person cabins big enough for the whole family.
In winter, snowmobilers rally to Stanley and its 185+ miles of groomed trails and endless fields of fresh powder — you could spend days zipping around by sled. Most snowmobilers depart from Smiley Creek Lodge, 22 miles south of town, where in the summer you can glamp in a decked-out tepee or yurt.
While the mountains really are the draw in Stanley, the town itself has some spots you shouldn’t miss. Stanley Baking Company does epic breakfasts and serves up enormous specialty pancakes.
4. Sandpoint
Thick green forests, miles of mountain biking singletrack, and a prime location on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille make northern Idaho’s Sandpoint worth the trek. Think of it as the quieter, slower-paced neighbor to Coeur d’Alene.
Despite being home to fewer than 8,700 residents, Sandpoint’s eclectic dining scene could keep you busy for weeks. Taqueria-style Mexican at Joel’s, super fresh sushi at Thai Nigiri, and the famous key lime pie at Baxters on Cedar — a popular new American joint — are just a few of the spots to hit up.
For drinks, check out the taproom at Laughing Dog Brewing which serves 10+ locally brewed, award-winning beers. And the Pend d’Oreille Winery has a beautiful but relaxed tasting room with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
You’ll want to save some energy to play at Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho’s largest ski resort. It’s open all year, and in the warm months, you can play the 9-hole disc golf course, head out on a geocaching treasure hunt, go mountain biking and hiking, or try your hand at huckleberry picking (late July to late August).
There are a ton of hotels to choose from in town, including several lakefront options. The K2 Inn is a great budget choice just a couple of blocks from the water. For something more Wild West, check out the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, which is located 16 miles from town, with all-inclusive summer packages, cabin-style lodging, daily horseback rides, gourmet meals, and evening campfires.
5. Driggs
As tourists flock to Jackson, Wyoming every summer to experience the Tetons, the town of Driggs on the other side of the mountain offers an alternative and equally incredible homebase minus the crowds.
In the winter, with access to both Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole, Driggs is an amazing spot for skiers and snowboarders. Grand Targhee Resort, just 20 minutes from downtown, has a laid-back, family-friendly vibe with over 2,000 acres of varied terrain. It’s also the first resort in the country to offer fat biking — winter mountain biking on snow-covered trails. In the summer, the mountain hosts the three-day Annual Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival.
Driggs is also home to the headquarters of the National Outdoor Leadership School. One of the leading outdoor education centers in the country, NOLS has a massive range of Teton Valley adventure itineraries to choose from including backcountry split boarding, backpacking, and rafting.
When you visit downtown, pull up your rig and head back in time at the Spud Drive-in Theater. I also recommend sampling local cheeses at the Teton Valley Farmer’s Market on Fridays and or sipping on potato vodka at the Grand Teton Distillery.
For the best views of the region, take a scenic flight with Teton Aviation or a hot-air balloon ride with Teton Balloon Flights.
6. Idaho City
This 700-person historic town sits directly on the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, which winds up and over the Boise foothills. The route to Idaho City, one of the best small towns in Idaho, offers a quick escape with immediate access to hot springs, the Boise National Forest, and a taste of Idaho’s past.
Founded in the 1860s as a booming gold mining town, Idaho City once had fancy theaters, dozens of saloons, a bowling alley, the state’s first Catholic church, and a county jail that housed the criminals of the Old West. Visit the Boise Basin Museum for a glimpse of what life was like during the boom.
The Springs Hot Springs Retreat, a commercial hot springs facility, is one of the town’s biggest draws, where you can soak in one of their large geothermal pools. They also offer massages and there’s a full-service cafe and bar onsite. Visit on Monday, Thursday, or Friday for an adults-only environment. Whichever day you choose to come, it’s a good idea to make reservations.
If you’re looking for more of an off-the-grid experience, there are several all-natural hot pools not too far north of Idaho City including Pine Flats and Kirkham Hot Springs. Along Highway 21, Idaho Parks and Recreation also runs six furnished backcountry yurts that are available for rent year-round.
Oh, and one last thing — no one comes to Idaho City without getting a slice of the incredible homemade pie at Trudy’s Kitchen. Go on….go for it.
What do you think are the best small towns in Idaho? Do you have any to add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
Love this post! Idaho is totally underrated. It’s one of my life’s goals to share its awesomeness 🙂 Would love to share this as a guest post on my blog, let me know if you’d be interested.
It sure is! I grew up in Boise and just got back from spending a week visiting. I wrote this post for the Matador Network, so I can’t republish it elsewhere, but feel free to shoot me an email and we can brainstorm some other ideas. Thanks! kristen
cortez co., almo Id. Pendleton or. Hailey Id. Carey Id. Soda springs Id. Moab Ut. some of my favorite places.
Thanks for the suggestions John. Agreed on Hailey. Super cute little town. Moab is also awesome with such close access to canyonlands. I’ll definitely add the other two to my list for next summer’s road trip. Cheers! kristen
LUV the article on 6 Idaho cities 🙂
Thanks Betty! I’m glad you enjoyed it! -Kristen
I think Lewiston, Idaho should deserve a mention! Very few people know that Lewiston was actually Idaho’s first state capital back in the 1800s, but too many government officials complained about having to travel all the way from the Boise area to Lewiston which was no easy trip back then by stagecoach, so they moved the capital to Boise. Another point of interest about Lewiston, Idaho, first it is the confluence of the Snake River and the Clearwater River forming the head of the Columbia River….next is the fact that it is the Pacific Northwest’s farthest inland seaport. We have small sea cruise ships that come all the way up here and dock in Lewiston. We also have a couple Stern paddle wheel boats that come up to. And the last point of interest, of course Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington are named after Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the explorers who discovered the path from Washington DC to Astoria, Oregon on the Pacific coast, through orders from one of our US presidents, president Thomas Jefferson. Under direct orders, they created what was called the Corps of Discovery, and with the help from Sacajawea, an Indian guide, Lewis and Clark camped on the Western Bank of Snake River here at the confluence for several days, while the troops rested up and then finally pushed on to the Oregon coast in the middle of winter.
Hi Darren, thanks for the Lewiston recommendation – it sounds like a neat place. We’ll have to check it out next time!
Lowest altitude in Idaho, used to be 120 to 20 below a season, with the dams on Snake river reduced to little over 100 and usually stays above 0 degrees. Mid 60s,before dams had ice glaciers next to hwy 12! Original UPS driver.
Wow! Thanks for sharing, that’s interesting
Check out Mullan………..
clean, well managed
has an indoor public swimming pool
fantastic outdoors surrounding small residential city.
albeit the freeway runs right through the middle of it
but so does the south fork of the Couer d’ Alene
Will do! Thanks so much Sarah.
St. Mary Montana, Seeley Lake Montana, Polsen, Montana.
Thanks for the tips! I’m going on a long road trip next summer and will be sure to check some of these spots out. Cheers! Kristen
Following on your post about CO ski resorts, this article and its Ketchum reference continues to inspire lip-smacking anticipation for winter snowy goodness.
Have you had a chance to hit the slopes there?
Love Idaho- But I have lived in Driggs and Lander, WY – Lander Wyoming is the actual home for NOLS headquarters!!
Ah thanks for the correction! I love Idaho too. Headed back to Boise to visit my family next week for Thanksgiving. Hoping to hit up some hot springs!
I live in Salmon, ID. It is about two hours from Stanley. It is the birthplace of Sacajawea. This little town is amazing. We are 20 minutes from lost trail ski resort, people travel from all over to go whitewater rafting on the salmon river, and hunting is very popular here. Nice community and everyone is very friendly!
Hey Andrea – Thanks for checking out my site. I’ve been through Salmon on my way to the river. I’d love to come back and explore in more detail this summer. Cheers! kristen
Hey.. my daughter’s father aunt and grandmom live in Salmon. I’ve been twice, & i love it there. I live in NJ and its awesome here but Salmon Especially in the summer w NO HUMIDITY! ohh emm gee. Its a beautiful place i hope to one day come back for a visit.
Pierce, Idaho ….has the first Court House where gold was first discovered in Idaho. It is a charming community survived the gold rush of 1860 and the logging boom. Now houses the National Guard School. Please visit us soon.
Hey Cheryl –
Thanks so much for checking out my site and for the suggestion. I grew up in Boise but have never been to Pierce…so I’ll have to check it out.
Thanks! Kristen
don’t forget Lava Hotsprings, Downata, both hotsprings awesomesauce, and Almo, just a skip away from the City of Rocks!
hey Sarah – Thanks for chiming in. I’ll have to check those spots out next time I’m home.
Did they move Brundage? Last time I checked, it wasnt even close to town…
No…it’s in the same spot as always and it’s about a 15 minute drive from the center of McCall
I reconnected with my husband when he was stationed in Idaho and fell in love with the state on my first visit!!! It is so underrated, and I have to admit, now that I live there I like it that way!! Every year we re-visit Stanley, Idaho and spend the weekend hiking in the Sawtooth Mtns and soaking in the hot springs. The locals are so friendly and helpful, the views are amazing, and the atmosphere is unbeatable. Some of the towns you mentioned are ones that are on our bucket list for this summer… So, I’d have to say that your post is spot on! Love it 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Hailey is so much more legit than Ketchum!
Sandpoint is breathtaking–but it’s population, as presented, is a bit distorted due to the fact that 80% of its population lives in the surrounding areas (Sagle, Ponderay, Dover…). The actual metro population is well over 40k and during the summer months it is much higher. Well deserved acknowledgment, nonetheless.
Really enjoyed your Blog, thank you.
Idaho and the hidden jewels it holds seem to be never ending. From the outdoors to local businesses, I love to just unwind and take it all in.
As a child and young womsn, my summers were all spent at the family’s lake front cabin in McCall. Nearly all if not all the cabins off Wagon Wheel Road were owned by families in Payette, and other Boise Valley towns. In my mind’s eye only now I can imagine myself running down to the dock to either lay out in the sun, fish, or jump in the boat for the 3x /day ski ritual. Laying on the dock hearing distant boat motors and skiers is the sound of heaven. Looking out grand picture windows on to glassy and diamond sparkley waters each morning is the most soothing feeling of joy. Or then again at the age of 10 being told to take a run with the boat to the Town Dock for a grocery trip was shear excitement and another opportunity to ski. Not to mention the flirting that went on boat to boat between boys and girls. Ahhh those certainly were the days.
Gold fork and other hot springs were not like they are today. You really had to know where these hidden places were. Loads of fun at night. Rounding up cattle in the mountain area by Gold Fork was great fun. Cow Camp! Oh yes, my memories are many. Later in my twenties, I, HR Maule, met a love, HR Brush, in McCall at the Yaht Club. What fun. Old tales of Shirley the lake monster were abound. Going to Wagon Wheel Bay where the owners of a cabin allowed us to jump on their trampoline and get into their ice machine. Getting invited to swim in Simplot’s pool with the boys.
Why I can just barely remember when slot machines were still at the Shore Lodge. But my father remembers alot longer than that. He is alive, age 90 this year. He has stories of one man who was there who went on to own the Nugget in Reno! Yes, John A. and his friend and finance handler from MCall days. It is sad, progress, most original families had to sell their lake front cabins. Our cabins were torn down only a few years ago…just down from Picnic Point.
The family cabins near by were Pence, Simplot, Robinson, Hanigan, Payne, Maule,, Farber, Udell, and many others. If anyone would like a guest in their lake front home/cabin. I’d be happy to accept ( :. Thank you for this blast to the past!
Heidi Maule
It’s fairly apparent, the writer is either not from Idaho or has never lived in an actual small town. There are many great small communities in idaho. Those listed are nothing more than tourist attractions.
They do not have generations not COMMUNITY.
Those listed are relatively pleasant to visit for a day but are not wearing one wants to go to school, settle down, nor live for generations.
Hi Grant, I grew up in Boise and have spent a lot of time in the towns mentioned. Our blog caters to outdoor enthusiasts and travelers, not necessarily people who are looking for places to live. We couldn’t possibly highlight all the amazing small towns in Idaho (there are many!).
Highly recommend Yellow Pine as well. Beautiful backcountry with fishing, hiking, camping, dinning, and ohv trails. They have a free Music Festival first weekend of August too. It’s also part of the Idaho Backcountry Discovery Route.
Hi Emily, thanks for the recommendation!
Nice coverage but makes me really sad to see any more publicity as the towns don’t have anywhere for working people to live anymore. It’s horrendous.
Hi Cindy, it also makes us sad to see the housing issues happening in most outdoorsy, small towns in the US over the last few years. We do our best to educate people on how to be responsible travelers to these destinations.
Wallace, Idaho is not men f a kind. I hope you are able to enjoy this SMALL Idaho town.
Thanks for the suggestion, Chris!