Family Friendly Fun

The Gold Hill Trail is one of the most popular for local hikers and mountain bikers, a 3.7-mile track that can be moderate or strenuous – depending on whether you hike or ride it up or down, or as most do, both ways.

If you are ready to enjoy all the adventure and scenic outdoor recreation that the Sandpoint, Idaho area offers, this is one trail that you don’t want to miss for a terrific hike or bike ride.

The trail leads uphill through a forested setting to panoramic northwest-facing views of Sandpoint across Lake Pend Oreille with the Selkirk Mountains behind.

Most start at the trailhead on Bottle Bay Road, about 8 miles south of Sandpoint; navigate to the trailhead parking by the Google map. It is possible to circle around by forest roads and access the trail up near the viewpoints.

Many mountain bikers do this as an out-and-back, starting at the trailhead for the uphill singletrack. However, some ride an extended route at the top of Trail 3, to include Gold Mountain and forest roads. Or, to make a full day that includes miles on paved and gravel backroads you can include the trail as part of an approximately 28-mile loop right from Sandpoint itself riding to the trailhead via the Long Bridge bike and pedestrian route.

This is mountain hiking and biking at its best in the Pacific Northwest!

Click for USFS trail map and details: Forest Service Gold Hill Trail No. 3.
Click for extended route details: MTB Project Gold Hill Trail No. 3.

Looking for a fun and adventurous way to take in the fresh mountain air and beautiful views? Whether you’re a hiker or biker, Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers more than 20 miles of trails with amazing alpine scenery and see-forever views. Start in the village and warm your legs up as you head out to Picnic Point – with only minor climbing – to take in the sweeping views of the mountains and Lake Pend Oreille. From there, your options are wide open. For those looking for a pure downhill biking thrills, Schweitzer has many intermediate to expert options with a chairlift assist to the top; all downhill trails begin at the top of the Great Escape Quad and descend 1700 feet to the Schweitzer Village. Pick up detailed trail maps in the village.

Here’s an easy ride or walk that provides a starting and ending spot in Garfield Bay along Lake Pend Oreille, with a swimming beach, marina and dining opportunities at the Captain’s Table, or a stop during the ride at the fine, undeveloped Green Bay cobblestone beach. This route as suggested below is about 9 miles, mostly on back roads but including about 2.1 miles of single track on Mineral Point trail itself — challenging but rideable by beginners, with outstanding views of Lake Pend Oreille and the Green Monarchs. The trail is popular with hikers so ride carefully.

Mineral Point Interpretive Trail contours along Lake Pend Oreille about 14 miles south of Sandpoint near Garfield Bay, with magnificent views across the lake to the Green Monarchs. This lower-elevation, 2.1-mile hike or single-track bike ride is accessible starting from mid- to late spring. Get map and details for Forest Service Mineral Point Trail No. 82.

Trail description: From Sandpoint, drive six miles south on Highway 95 to Sagle, and turn east onto Sagle Road. Continue a bit more than six miles to the junction where Garfield Bay Road forks to the right and continue another roughly two miles to the waterfront village of Garfield Bay. There’s a small park in Garfield Bay; to make this ride longer, we suggest parking there in Garfield Bay and starting your ride on the backroads there. From Garfield Bay Road, find Green Bay Cutoff Road, which proceeds north. The cutoff will quickly become a gravel road; go about .4 mile and turn right onto the Mineral Point Road No. 532 (next to the red firehouse) and ride 2.2 miles on Road 532, and turn right for 0.3 miles the Mineral Point trailhead. The trail will then take you on 2.1 miles of singletrack high along the lakeshore, dropping down to the Green Bay campground and beach, a great place to stop for a swim or to hang along the lake. To complete the loop, ride back up the steep access road from the campground back to Mineral Point Road, then back to Garfield Bay.

Trail particulars: There is only about 400 feet of elevation gain and loss but you’ll ride it up and down several times. Water is available at Green Bay. At the trailhead for Mineral Point Trail there is a connector trail to a 2.1-mile singletrack loop on Lost Lake Trail 81 that makes for a good and easy side trip to incorporate into this ride.

Trail map: Click to see the map.

One of the closest and nicest hikes adjacent to Sandpoint, the Mickinnick is a challenging trail that rises more than 2,000 feet in its 3.5-mile length (meaning, a round-trip hike is 7 miles). But the workout is certainly worth it, affording  splendid views as you climb up through big granite features amid open forests and spring-summer wildflowers. On warm summer days, the east-facing aspect of the trail makes it more user-friendly in the afternoon. The trail ends on a rocky knob commanding a view of Sandpoint, the Long Bridge, the Cabinet Mountains and Lake Pend Oreille. Use the Google map to navigate to the trailhead parking, at roughly 400 Woodland Drive, or click to the Forest Service map and elevation profile.

This challenging trail rises more than 2,000 feet in its length (the hike is 7 miles round trip) – that’s a workout, especially on a warm summer day. The east-facing aspect of the trail makes it more user-friendly in the afternoon. The trail leads through open forest on a rocky hillside, and ends on a rocky knob commanding a view of Sandpoint, the Long Bridge, the Cabinet Mountains and Lake Pend Oreille.

Trail particulars: To get to the trailhead from Sandpoint, take Highway 95 north 1.3 miles to Schweitzer Cutoff Road; turn left and go a half mile; turn right and go less than a mile to turn left on Schweitzer Mountain Road (at Schweitzer Sign); go one-half mile to Woodland Drive; turn left and go 0.7 miles. The trailhead parking, with pit toilet, water and map, is on the right.

Pine Street Woods is a unique place where people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to be outside. The wide trails welcome strollers, wheelchairs, or friends walking side by side, and nordic skiers in the winter. Almost a dozen trails make for miles of hiking and biking or cross-country skiing and fat-biking in the winter.

Trails are for non-motorized use. Electric bikes are welcome. Horses are not encouraged at Pine Street Woods because of the numerous off leash dogs and mountain bikes that frequent the property. Also, our access road and parking lot do not accommodate horse trailers.

There are no usage or parking fees. Pine Street Woods is open to all and is supported through generous trail donations and gifts from users just like you.

Pine Street Woods sits adjacent to two other public access properties. Collectively, the three properties comprise the Syringa Trail System. As is the case for Pine Street Woods, the Sherwood Forest and VTT properties are also privately owned, but are not owned or managed by KLT. The owners graciously allow the public to enjoy these special places, only requesting that everyone respect the land, wildlife, and other visitors.

Pine Street Woods Trails »

Printable Trail Map »

With more than 9 miles of groomed trails, Farragut offers easy terrain and great views of the lake. Located on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille, about 40 minutes driving time from Sandpoint via U.S. Highway 95, Farragut is a crown jewel of Idaho’s state parks.

This intimate park, 10 miles south of Sandpoint on Highway 95 and two miles west on Dufort Road, offers seven miles of marked and groomed cross-country trails. Depending on conditions, there may also be opportunities for ice skating, sledding, fishing or a picnic, often served up with a roaring bonfire. $2 per vehicle fee; annual Idaho State Park passes are available for $15. For a map or more information, call 208-263-3489; or click parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/round-lake/.

Our nationally recognized mountain resort is only 11 miles from downtown Sandpoint, with 2900 acres for skiing, hiking, biking and magnificent alpine views and a resort village featuring premium lodging, dining, bars, fine outdoor clothing and gear, shopping, artists studio, and seasonal activities.

Family Fun Center, Bowling, Arcade, Good Food and Drink, and Pool Tables!

Discovery, connection, and lifelong learning through books and other resources; accepts library cards from around the world.

Creations’ mission is to promote the arts, creativity, discovery and STEAM learning. 

Creations partners with families, businesses and local organizations to provide educational activities that support student learning.

Creation teaches educational art classes for adults and youth through our Creative Hands Expand the Mind Program. The program’s key component is to offer skills based art instruction classes that are accessible to all Bonner and Boundary County children and adults.

Sandpoint has over 20 parks, public gathering spaces, or designated community locations. Here is a roundup of major parks that offer just about something for every recreational interest.

City Beach. Sandpoint’s premier park on Lake Pend Oreille is 22 acres comprising the tip of the Sand Creek peninsula. Its sandy beaches provide swimming in protected waters, with adjacent tennis and volleyball courts, playground, basketball court, covered pavilion available for event rental, boat launch and two marinas with tie-ups for itinerant boaters. There’s also an RV park. 102 Bridge Street.

Travers Park at 2102 Pine Street is the keynote park for what’s actually a complex of sporting park. Travers itself includes multiple sports fields for baseball, softball and soccer, a bike and pedestrian path, playground and tennis courts. Other features, and the immediately adjacent parks, include:

• James E. Russell Sport Center. New in 2024, the sport center provides indoors tennis and pickleball courts.
• Centennial Park. Just north of Travers Park, with soccer fields and picnic shelter.
• Great Northern Park. The next step north of Centennial, with soccer fields and restrooms.
• Concrete Lake Skate Park. New construction doubled the size of this popular skate park – which now abounds with features to challenge skaters and by square foot, is the town’s most-used parks.

War Memorial Field. Home for Sandpoint High School’s football, soccer, baseball and softball teams, this 4.5 acre multiuse sports was rebuilt in 2017 with a new 1,500-capacity grandstand and artificial that provides play from March through October. In summer, the field is home to the Festival at Sandpoint concert series. 801 Ontario Street.

Lakeview Park. Along Lake Pend Oreille adjacent to Memorial Field, this park features the Native Plant Arboretum as well as the Bonner County Historical Museum on site. There are tennis and pickleball courts, a playground, seasonal boat launch, and paths. 901 Ontario Street.

Farmin Park and the Town Square. Located at Third and Main, Farmin has a bandstand and in warm months hosts the Sandpoint Farmers Market on Saturdays and Wednesdays; right across the street is the Town Square with chess tables, benches and water fountains for kids in summer.

Hickory Street Park. This quiet park at 812 Hickory Street has basketball courts, a playground, small skatepark, picnic shelter and spacious lawns for frisbee and other games.

Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail and Sand Creek Trail. These trails frame both sides of the Sand Creek Peninsula. The multi-use Sand Creek Trail on the west side is paved and extends north for a mile-plus along the creek to the Popsicle Bridge from its starting point at 102 Bridge Street, just before the entrance to City Beach. On the east side, starting a quarter mile north of City Beach, the Bay Trail follows the lakeshore two miles northward with an unpaved path. Sandpoint Avenue trailhead.

Outdoor Shooting Range. Located outside city limits, approximately 4.5 miles west on Baldy Road, the range accommodates multiple shooters with rangemaster during its set hours of operation. 113 Turtle Rock Road.

See additional parks, get more information and find forms to reserve facilities at the City of Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department.

Located at the East end of the Bonner Mall, Sandpoint Cinemas is a standard multi-screen movie theater with a full concession stand, showing new film releases. Check the website for showtimes and more info.

Offering seasonal boat moorage, gas, dock and a boat launch, Dover Bay Marina is located in the heart of Dover Bay. With 274-slips and deep-water, it offers premium amenities to ensure an exceptional boating experience.

• Covered Single Berth Slips
• 24-hour Fuel
• Extensive Breakwater
• Dockside Power & Water
• Restrooms & Showers
• Pump-out Station
• Security Gates
• On-site Boat Launch
• Market
• Boat & Trailer Storage

Rev up, reboot, tune In. Cambium Spa at Schweitzer offers unique recovery services and spa treatments in a vibrant, communal atmosphere in the resort’s wonderful alpine setting.

Whether it’s for an immersive wellness experience, an express treatment, or a day of relaxation, Cambium is designed to meet the needs of every guest or resident in the community. The name “cambium” comes from the botanical term for a layer within the root and stem of some plants that encourages new growth. By design, Cambium Spa offers unique services and wellness treatments that encourage restoration, nourishment and growth.

Experience our signature treatments in a relaxed setting that harnesses the beautiful surroundings. Our menu of wellness services is focused on helping you Rev Up, Reboot and Tune In to mind, body, and spirit. Featuring organic amenities, therapeutic massage, bodywork, and infrared therapies, Cambium leverages state-of-the-art techniques and world-class therapists to create a holistic approach to maximizing your time at Schweitzer.

Whether it’s for an immersive experience, an express treatment, or a full day of relaxation, the staff at Cambium are there to support you wherever you may be on your wellness journey.

Go to the Cambium website»

During the summer months, guest ranch vacation packages include lodging in one of our lodge rooms or log cabins, daily horseback rides, three country gourmet meals daily, evening entertainment and access to all guest ranch amenities. During the fall, winter and spring, enjoy a Bed and Breakfast stay in a lodge room or rent a cabin for a cozy get away.  Two hour guided horseback rides are available in the Fall and Spring.  When the snow flies, enjoy an old fashioned sleigh ride.  Group retreats, family reunions, dinner parties and holiday gatherings are also available. We specialize in personalizing your dude ranch stay to fit you. Relaxing or riveting… it’s all up to you.

Looking for a fun and adventurous way to take in the fresh mountain air and beautiful views? Whether you’re a hiker or biker, Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers more than 20 miles of trails with amazing alpine scenery and see-forever views. Start in the village and warm your legs up as you head out to Picnic Point – with only minor climbing – to take in the sweeping views of the mountains and Lake Pend Oreille. From there, your options are wide open. For those looking for a pure downhill biking thrills, Schweitzer has many intermediate to expert options with a chairlift assist to the top; all downhill trails begin at the top of the Great Escape Quad and descend 1700 feet to the Schweitzer Village. Pick up detailed trail maps in the village.

Silverwood is the Northwest’s largest theme park, featuring over 200 acres and more than 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions. Dominating the skies at Silverwood is Aftershock – the 191-foot-tall steel roller coaster which takes you forwards through cobra rolls and inverted loops at speeds up to 65 mph and 4.5 Gs! Silverwood is also home to two massive wooden coasters: Tremors, a 65-mph coaster that plunges underground four times; and the 55-mph Timber Terror. Other rides include the classic Corkscrew coaster and a 140-foot drop tower; or, for something a little milder, don’t miss the 1915 steam engine train that circles the entire park, or try the Bumper Boats, Log Flume, or Thunder Canyon raft ride. Speaking of wet fun: On a hot summer day, there’s no better place to be than the 21-acre Boulder Beach Water Park right next door. Climb aboard one of our two raft slides with friends or family and glide down Avalanche Mountain, ride the waves in two huge wave pools, splash in geysers and fountains in Toddler Springs, cruise down water slides of all shapes and sizes, and kick back in your own shaded area on Cabana Island. Best of all, Boulder Beach is included with the park admission price.

Come October, Silverwood Theme Park transforms into Scarywood Haunted Nights, with five signature bone-chilling attractions as well as more scare zones scattered throughout the park.