Spring is Special!
Come spring, wildflowers and wildlife abound
Beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho offers incomparably wild experiences in spring
Take a walk on the wild side
Come springtime, the mountains, valleys and waterways around beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho bloom with new life. Wildflowers come on in profuse displays, and a wide variety of wildlife is busy rearing their young. Here are some favorite walks and places to take it all in.
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. Wild animals avoid people – but you’ll see wildlife for sure at this beautiful refuge 45 minutes north. There are a number of flat, easy trails, some leading to blinds, as well as an auto tour route. You’ll see a waterfowl and raptors such as eagles and osprey. Moose, deer and even bear frequent the refuge.
Mickinnick Trail. It’s a little over three miles all uphill to the top point of this trail, just a couple miles from downtown. But even in the lower, easier reaches, the wildflowers are varied and glorious in spring and early summer.
Scotchman Peak Trail. Want to see mountain goats? You’ll earn the opportunity on this epic day hike about 30 minutes’ drive east of town. It’s a strenuous hike, about four miles up with 3,500 feet of elevation gain. But atop the peak there’s a good chance to see the resident goats.
Other trails. Any of the trails below offer wonderful discoveries but to mention a few more: Beginning in May and well into June, the lupine are prolific on a number of trails at Pine Street Woods, just two miles from downtown. Beginning in June, the beargrass make lavish displays along Schweitzer‘s many trails. About 30 miles northeast of Sandpoint, the Enchanted Forest trails have spring flower displays, and open to an expansive meadow up top. Browse below for more destinations.
Wildflower and Wildlife Trails
