Outdoor Recreation

May we say, modestly, that Sandpoint City Beach is simply one of the finest city parks anywhere? With magnificent views down Lake Pend Oreille, enjoy swimming and beach lounging. Play volleyball on one of the three sand courts, tennis or pickleball on the pair of recently upgraded courts; throw some horseshoes or get in on […]

Peaceful, meandering Sand Creek couldn’t be more convenient or perfect for kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddleboards. Well sheltered even when big Lake Pend Oreille is breezy, from the creek mouth at the lake small craft can wend upstream through placid waters more than a mile. For those who like to stroll or bicycle, there’s a […]

Offering daily sightseeing cruises in spring, summer and fall, Lake Pend Oreille Cruises takes groups of up to 40 on its classically designed tour boat, the Shawnodese, to explore the immense lake and shoreline. Aside from the gorgeous lake scenery afforded in these leisurely 90-minute cruises, the crew gives talks on the interesting history of […]

Maiden Creek Trail is a steep 2-mile trail that leads down Maiden Rock, a prominent geologic feature, and a Forest Service recreation site on Lake Pend Oreille. The trail to this magical spot on the lake’s western shore is fairly short, though quite steep as you get closer to the lake. It cuts through a dense […]

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 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 – […]

Barely 10 minutes from downtown Sandpoint, The Idaho Club is Idaho’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. In 2008, Nicklaus Designs and Jack Nicklaus himself designed this golf course that provides a world-class golf experience while immersing players in the natural beauty of the lower Pack River estuary. This exceptional 18-hole championship course offers a […]

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 to the topmost overlook – meaning, a round-trip hike is a fairly strenuous 7 miles. But even if you don’t make it to the top, there are expansive viewpoints […]

Offering terrific wildlife experiences (especially in the “high” seasons of fall and spring) the 2,774-acre Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge’s wetlands, meadows, riparian and coniferous forests, and cultivated agricultural areas are interspersed throughout the refuge to provide a sanctuary, primarily for migrating waterfowl. During spring, and especially fall, when birds are moving along the Pacific Flyway, […]

This trail up Scotchman Peak – the highest point in Bonner County at 6,872 feet – is a bit over 4 miles to the top, and strenuous: There’s more than 3,700 feet of vertical gain. But the payoff is big views over Lake Pend Oreille to the south and various peaks in the Cabinet Mountains […]

This intimate park is a family favorite. Located a dozen miles south of Sandpoint, Round Lake offers seven miles of trails that are relatively flat and easy, suitable for walks and biking, as well as a host of other outdoor activities. Visitors often spot wildlife, as Canada geese pass over the park’s towering pine, hemlock […]

The Pine Street Woods little more than two miles from downtown Sandpoint 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. For mountain bikers, there are more than a […]

With more than 9 miles of mostly flat ‘n’ easy trails for hiking, mountain biking and XC skiing in winter – and many outstanding views of the lake – Farragut is a terrific family recreation destination. Located on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille, about 40 minutes driving time from Sandpoint via U.S. Highway […]

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 […]

Evans Landing Trail leads 2 miles down to a beach at the landing on the west side of Lake Pend Oreille. A multitude of switchbacks make for a gentle grade, beginning at the top of Kreiger Creek on Trail No. 64. The slope becomes extremely steep closer to the lake, however. The remains of an old […]

Here’s a ride or walk about 14 miles from Sandpoint that provides big views of the southern arm of Lake Pend Oreille, with swimming at the fine cobblestone beach at Green Bay, where there is a campground and day use area. One segment of the single track trails for mountain bikers and hikers is an […]

Priest Lake State Park lies just 30 miles from the Canadian border, nestled deep below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Idaho and mile-high mountains, Priest Lake State Park sits along the eastern shores of Priest Lake, a 19-mile long, 300-foot-deep waterbody. Visitors to the park will enjoy […]

Sandpoint Elks Golf Course is little more than a mile northeast of downtown Sandpoint off Highway 200, with a well-maintained 9-hole course, equipment and cart rental, friendly clubhouse and affordable rates, as well as a restaurant and bar that is a gathering place for golfers as well as many community functions. Double tee boxes provide […]

Mirror Lake Golf Course is a gem of a 9-hole course, located just 30 minutes north in Bonners Ferry. It is player friendly for the beginner, yet is a challenge for the low handicap golfer as well, with two sets of tees for the front and back nines. It has a diverse array of par […]