Outdoor Recreation
Winter, spring, summer, fall ... there's year-round recreation
Each season brings a new variety of fun to be had in the Great Outdoors of Sandpoint and northern Idaho.
All Outdoor Recreation
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 at several spots along the way.
The trail wends trough big granite features amid open forests and, in spring and early summer, profuse displays of many different kinds of 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.
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.
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, there may be thousands of ducks, geese and swans resting and foraging at the refuge ponds. But there’s more than waterfowl. Over 300 species of wildlife have been observed on the refuge: 22 species of fish, 7 species of amphibians, 6 species of reptiles, 45 species of mammals, and over bird 223 species.
The refuge has easy and flat hiking trails, wildlife blinds and a driving route offering multiple ways to see and experience the wildlife and its beautiful location in the Kootenai River valley, framed by the Selkirk Mountains to the west and the Purcell Range to the east.
For the latest information on the refuge, with details for visiting, check the website: Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.
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 in all other directions. Plus, there’s a resident herd of mountain goats that frequent the peak, affording a good chance of seeing the amazingly sure-footed mountain climbers up close. Hikers are asked to keep a distance of 100 feet, for their safety as well as the goats. In summer you’ll likely see other hikers on this trail, as it’s a popular one, but in other seasons the trail traffic declines.
This hike has a ceaseless advocate in Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.
More information at Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.
Trail map and information at the Hiking Project.
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 and larch trees and ospreys plunge for perch. Hikers will discover beaver lodges and may see a glimpse of a resident moose, while along the lake in summer you may hear a chorus of bullfrogs and spot ducks and Red-winged Blackbirds among other birdlife.
The 58-acre lake is stocked with rainbow trout and has a good bass fishery. There’s fine fishing for kids, right from the dock or by paddle craft on the lake; no gas motors are allowed. The lake also makes for a refreshing swim in the warm months.
There are 16 serviced campsites and 35 standard sites. There are guided walks and ranger programs in summer; in winter, depending on conditions, there are opportunities for ice skating, sledding, fishing or a picnic, often served up with a roaring bonfire. As well in winter, trails are marked and groomed for cross-country skiing.
For a map or more information, call 208-263-3489; or click parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/round-lake/.
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 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, or click for the map below. Mountain bike and e-bike rentals are available in the village.
Click for Schweitzer trails map»
Click for all Schweitzer activities»
Here’s an 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 easier loop around Lost Lake, while the Mineral Point trail itself provides a more challenging – but doable – ride for beginners, with outstanding views of Lake Pend Oreille and the Green Monarchs. The trail is popular with both hikers and bikers, so bikers are advised to ride carefully.
Mineral Point Trail has two main trailheads. You may start at Green Bay, from whence you’ll immediately climb up the bluffs above the lake with magnificent views across the lake to the Green Monarchs. There’s a 2.1 mile hike or ride to the second access point, which also provides the trailhead to the roughly six miles of Lost Lake trails. Get map and details for Forest Service Mineral Point Trail No. 82.
To the trailhead: 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 hike or ride it up and down several times. Water and toilets are available at Green Bay. At the trailhead for Mineral Point Trail there is a vault toilet.
Trail map: Click to see the map.
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.
More to Explore
Round Lake State Park
Pine Street Woods
Schweitzer biking and hiking
Farragut State Park
Priest Lake State Park
Schweitzer Village
City Parks
Albeni Falls Dam Tour
Sandpoint Ranger District
Priest Lake Ranger District
Priest Lake Chamber
Priest Lake Nordic Center
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
SOLE
Go Fish! Charters
MickDuff’s Brewing Company
Schweitzer XC Trails
Ice skating
