Visit Sandpoint, Idaho to discover these amazing treasures
What’s your favorite outdoor activity? Whether it’s a hike, a mountain bike ride, a paddle, wildlife watching or a camp out in a spectacular park, here are some of the premier places to feed your passion. (And, pssst, these only scratch the surface … many other adventures await your discovery.) Scroll on down!
PRIEST LAKE STATE PARK
Make that plural! Idaho’s campgrounds on Priest Lake include Lionhead at the north end, Indian Creek mid lake and Dickensheet on the Priest River. They are all excellent jump-offs for exceptional Priest Lake and hiking and biking trails. 151 campsites, 5 cabins. More info»
ROUND LAKE STATE PARK
This sweet little park is amid the trees on the edge of 58-acre Round Lake, abounding with wildlife and fish. It is a splendid family destination for swimming, paddling and fishing with a pleasant trail around the lake. 16 serviced, 35 standard campsites. More info»
FARRAGUT STATE PARK
In a state with many exceptional parks – this is one of the crown jewels. At the highly scenic south tip of Lake Pend Oreille, Farragut has history (it was a WWII naval training station) to go with its huge array of activities. 223 individual sites, 10 camping cabins. More info»
ROOSEVELT GROVE ANCIENT CEDARS
To wander amid the giant cedars here inspires awe. The young’uns are several centuries old; a few are estimated 2,000 to 3,000 years old. There’s a one-mile hike to Granite Falls, other trails and camping nearby. More info»
UPPER PRIEST THOROFARE
Navigation Trail No. 291 is a fine hike or MTB bike along the 2.5 mile thorofare that connects Priest Lake to the backcountry of Upper Priest Lake. Even better is to travel it by paddlecraft or no-wake motorboat. There are several small campgrounds at the upper lake. More info»
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
Although the historic lookout that caps this mountain top northeast of Priest Lake is no longer in use, its vantage provides terrific views of the Selkirk Mountains as well as the Priest lakes. Road to the trailhead is rough, but just getting there can be part of the adventure. More info»
BRUSH LAKE TRAILS
The trail makes a nice hike, but this six-mile singletrack with a bit more than 500 feet of climbing is especially fine for mountain biking suitable for beginner to intermediate skills. There’s also a connector to the more technical Tungsten Mountain singletrack. More info»
LAKESHORE TRAIL
Easy hiking on Lakeshore Trail #294 parallels the west shore of simply gorgeous Priest Lake, with occasional, and exceptional, views across to the Selkirk Crest. The trail is about 7 miles, and great for MTB as well. More info»
CHIMNEY ROCK
Chimney Rock is an iconic backcountry destination for hikers in the Selkirk Mountains – as well as a challenge for experienced climbers. Reach it from the east via the three-mile Mount Roothaan trailhead, or from west by the 10-mile Chimney Rock trail. More info»
ROMAN NOSE
There are three lakes nestled under the granite crags of Roman Nose, with a few different trails to tackle that can add up to about four miles of walking. It’s a beautiful place so the trailhead might be busy but you’ll likely get a good shot of solitude too. More info»
HARRISON LAKE
At about 2.5 miles it’s a short hike in, but with a 1,400-foot elevation gain you’ll earn your arrival at this beautiful cirque lake. It’s one of the most popular hikes in the Selkirks, so be prepared to share (or plan your visit for later in the season). Road to the trailhead can be rough. More info»
KOOTENAI WILDLIFE REFUGE
Take a walk, hang in a blind, or do the auto tour route here and you will see wildlife – could be birds and waterfowl, or maybe eagles, deer, moose, bear or others. The refuge is on 2,700 acres in the Kootenai Valley, and there’s a nice short hike to Myrtle Falls too. More info»
SECTION 16 TRAILS
Here’s a terrific new trail system that is a labor of love by the local 9B Trails mountain bike group. Right off the pavement in Paradise Valley, there’s a total of 10.2 miles of trails for easy to intermediate riding on forested trails winding to more open country. More info»
ENCHANTED FOREST TRAILS
These gorgeous trails make a fine hike but were built for MTB. You’ll start with a fairly stout climb from the Hoot Owl parking area; once up to a beautiful big mountain meadow, there are multiple choices to ride or walk with, yeah, enchanting views. The trails are managed by the 9B Trails group. More info»
WESTERN PLEASURE RANCH
Unleash your inner cowboy or girl and get a true taste of the Old West … though with ampleNew West comfort. This acclaimed dude ranch has horseback riding, lodge rooms and log cabins with all-inclusive packages that include country gourmet meals each day and evening entertainment. More info»
SCHWEITZER
It’s the region’s premier ski mountain, but come summer Schweitzer offers a host of mountain activities, from chairlift rides to zip lines to trampoline jumping for the kids. For mountain bikers there are the miles of singletrack, plus e-bike rental and tours. More info»
PINE STREET WOODS
It’s already such a favorite with locals that it’s hard to believe that this community forest was acquired by the Kaniksu Land Trust barely three years ago. The trails offer a variety of walks and hikes, and the MTB system offers miles of excellent singletrack trails. More info»
GOLD HILL
One of the finest trails-to-a-view that is within a stone’s throw of Sandpoint, Gold Hill is a day hike or MTB ride through shady forests. It’s about three miles to the bluff with big views of Sandpoint and Schweitzer. The end of the trail at top connects to additional riding for MTB. More info»
PACK RIVER DELTA
This estuary where the Pack River enters the big lake offers a quiet flatwater paddle with a good chance to see wildlife. There’s parking along the bridge on Highway 200 that crosses the river. Currently Idaho Fish and Game is in the midst of a habitat restoration project to rebuild wildlife islands. More info»
LUNCH PEAK LOOKOUT
It’s about 16 miles on gravel roads, requiring a high clearance vehicle, but the reward is big views of Lake Pend Oreille and Cabinet Mountains from the historic lookout. The 15-by-15 foot lookout is available for rental and there’s also a fine hike to be had on the Pend Oreille Divide Trail that leads to several alpine lakes. More info»
SCOTCHMAN PEAK
It’s about four strenuous miles to the top of the peak, with 3,700 feet of elevation gain. But the views of the Cabinet Mountains and Lake Pend Oreille are stunning, and there’s a pretty fair chance you’ll share it with the resident mountain goats. They’re unafraid of people but please keep your distance to keep them (and you!) safe. More info»
JOHNSON CREEK
This launch ramp is much used by motor boaters but is also popular with paddlers who appreciate the protected and beautiful waters of the Clark Fork delta. There are various routes within the delta, or venture out onto the main lake to paddle along the foot of the Green Monarchs with small cobblestone beaches to discover. More info»
Make it a weekend, or a week! Pick your Sandpoint lodging:
Sandpoint offers a wide variety of lodging options for individuals, couples, families and groups – from waterfront luxury vacation rentals, convenient downtown hotels to rustic ranch cabins in the wilderness.
