Small towns are the heart and soul of Idaho. They are where you will find many hidden gems, cool stories, and the best getaway destinations. Idaho is home to dozens of small towns that are just waiting to be explored, and to help you narrow down some of the best towns to visit, we’ve created the following list. You’ll find 12 small towns scattered around Idaho, one for each month of the year. Whether you plan a quick day trip or an entire weekend, each of the following small towns in Idaho is worthy of any itinerary.
January: Sandpoint
Sandpoint, Idaho: America’s Most Beautiful Small Town/Facebook Sandpoint is one of our favorite small towns to visit year-round, but in the winter, this small town comes alive. It is the ultimate winter playground since you can ice fish on Lake Pend Oreille, explore Farragut State Park on cross-country skis, and spend a day at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Sandpoint, ID 83864, USA
February: Ketchum
Visit Sun Valley/Facebook Ketchum is a charming mountain town that is delightful any time of the year. However, the winter months are some of the most popular, as this area is renowned for its winter activities. Ketchum is also a secret paradise for foodies and is home to some of the best fine dining in the state. Ketchum, ID, USA
March: Moscow
Shunyu Fan/iStock Via Getty Images Plus Moscow is home to the University of Utah, and much of the town revolves around this beautiful campus. When in this small Idaho town, stop by the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden, explore the Palouse, walk along the Latah Trail, and visit the many locally-owned shops and restaurants in the downtown area. Moscow, ID, USA
April: Challis
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Challis is one of those small towns that you may not know exists, but after you visit, you can’t forget it. This town is located in Custer County and is surrounded by mesmerizing scenery. Make sure you spend some time driving down Main Street, soaking in the Challis Hot Springs, and visiting the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park just outside of town. Challis, ID 83226, USA
May: American Falls
David Ross/Google American Falls is not only one of the most unique towns in Idaho, but also the entire world: it was completely relocated not once, but twice! During your getaway, check out the American Falls Reservoir, Massacre Rocks State Park, and the many shops and restaurants in town. American Falls, ID 83211, USA
June: Riggins
Salmon River Chamber of Commerce/Facebook Riggins is the perfect summertime destination - this small town is known as the Whitewater Capital of Idaho. Riggins town sits along the Salmon River and is adjacent to Hell’s Canyon, so there are outdoor opportunities galore. Hike, fish, raft, camp — this is the perfect place to spend those warm-weather days!
July: Island Park
T Schofield/iStock Via Getty Images Plus Summer is when the town of Island Park comes alive. This small town is located just a short drive from Yellowstone National Park and is home to Harriman State Park. While many tourists visit this area every year, there is plenty of space to spread out and lots to do, such as fishing at Henry’s Lake State Park, hiking to the historic Johnny Sack cabin, and even laughing throughout your dinner at the Yellowstone Playhouse. Island Park, ID, USA
August: Paris
Woluwebe/Wikimedia Commons Located near the northwestern shore of Bear Lake is the beautiful small town of Paris. This town is tiny, with approximately 500 residents, but it has a lot to offer, especially in the summer months. You can spend your days swimming, boating, fishing, or just relaxing at Bear Lake. You can also visit the dozens of historic buildings located around town. Paris, ID, USA
September: Stanley
Darwin Fan/Moment Via Getty Images Stanley is one of the smallest towns on our list with a population of approximately 100. However, this mountain town is the ultimate getaway destination with lots of hiking, camping, fishing, rafting, and photography opportunities. You can even enjoy the beauty of the area by taking a drive on the stunning Salmon River Scenic Byway. Stanley, ID 83278, USA
October: Almo
Alex Ratson/Moment Via Getty Images While there are several places around the Gem State where you can enjoy vibrant fall foliage, Almo in southwestern Idaho is one of the best. Almo is a tiny town located just outside of the City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park. While you’ll certainly want to venture to these two destinations during your visit, we also recommend a stop at Tracy General Store, a small-town store that has been in operation since the 1800s. Almo, ID, USA
November: Swan Valley
benedek/iStock Via Getty Images Plus Swan Valley may just be one of the most beautiful small towns in Idaho. Located on the banks of the South Fork of the Snake River and surrounded by multiple mountain ranges, this area is paradise. In the autumn, Swan Valley is covered in fall foliage, and after the snow falls, it becomes a winter wonderland. This is a wonderful place to spend time outdoors or stop at The Pantry Barn, an unassuming store with some of the best baked goods in the area. Swan Valley, ID, USA
December: Wallace
Wallace Idaho Chamber/Facebook Wallace is a delightful small town to visit any time of the year, but during the winter, it transforms into an enchanting wonderland when the gorgeous town is surrounded by snow-covered mountains. During the holiday season, Wallace becomes even more magical with its Home Town Holidays Festival, complete with a light parade, breakfast with Santa, hayrides, and more. Wallace, ID 83873, USA
What other small towns in Idaho deserve to be on this list? What are some of your favorite small towns to visit? Let us and your fellow travelers know in the comments!
Sandpoint, Idaho: America’s Most Beautiful Small Town/Facebook
Sandpoint is one of our favorite small towns to visit year-round, but in the winter, this small town comes alive. It is the ultimate winter playground since you can ice fish on Lake Pend Oreille, explore Farragut State Park on cross-country skis, and spend a day at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.
Sandpoint, ID 83864, USA
Visit Sun Valley/Facebook
Ketchum is a charming mountain town that is delightful any time of the year. However, the winter months are some of the most popular, as this area is renowned for its winter activities. Ketchum is also a secret paradise for foodies and is home to some of the best fine dining in the state.
Ketchum, ID, USA
Shunyu Fan/iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Moscow is home to the University of Utah, and much of the town revolves around this beautiful campus. When in this small Idaho town, stop by the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden, explore the Palouse, walk along the Latah Trail, and visit the many locally-owned shops and restaurants in the downtown area.
Moscow, ID, USA
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Challis is one of those small towns that you may not know exists, but after you visit, you can’t forget it. This town is located in Custer County and is surrounded by mesmerizing scenery. Make sure you spend some time driving down Main Street, soaking in the Challis Hot Springs, and visiting the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park just outside of town.
Challis, ID 83226, USA
David Ross/Google
American Falls is not only one of the most unique towns in Idaho, but also the entire world: it was completely relocated not once, but twice! During your getaway, check out the American Falls Reservoir, Massacre Rocks State Park, and the many shops and restaurants in town.
American Falls, ID 83211, USA
Salmon River Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
Riggins is the perfect summertime destination - this small town is known as the Whitewater Capital of Idaho. Riggins town sits along the Salmon River and is adjacent to Hell’s Canyon, so there are outdoor opportunities galore. Hike, fish, raft, camp — this is the perfect place to spend those warm-weather days!
T Schofield/iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Summer is when the town of Island Park comes alive. This small town is located just a short drive from Yellowstone National Park and is home to Harriman State Park. While many tourists visit this area every year, there is plenty of space to spread out and lots to do, such as fishing at Henry’s Lake State Park, hiking to the historic Johnny Sack cabin, and even laughing throughout your dinner at the Yellowstone Playhouse.
Island Park, ID, USA
Woluwebe/Wikimedia Commons
Located near the northwestern shore of Bear Lake is the beautiful small town of Paris. This town is tiny, with approximately 500 residents, but it has a lot to offer, especially in the summer months. You can spend your days swimming, boating, fishing, or just relaxing at Bear Lake. You can also visit the dozens of historic buildings located around town.
Paris, ID, USA
Darwin Fan/Moment Via Getty Images
Stanley is one of the smallest towns on our list with a population of approximately 100. However, this mountain town is the ultimate getaway destination with lots of hiking, camping, fishing, rafting, and photography opportunities. You can even enjoy the beauty of the area by taking a drive on the stunning Salmon River Scenic Byway.
Stanley, ID 83278, USA
Alex Ratson/Moment Via Getty Images
While there are several places around the Gem State where you can enjoy vibrant fall foliage, Almo in southwestern Idaho is one of the best. Almo is a tiny town located just outside of the City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park. While you’ll certainly want to venture to these two destinations during your visit, we also recommend a stop at Tracy General Store, a small-town store that has been in operation since the 1800s.
Almo, ID, USA
benedek/iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Swan Valley may just be one of the most beautiful small towns in Idaho. Located on the banks of the South Fork of the Snake River and surrounded by multiple mountain ranges, this area is paradise. In the autumn, Swan Valley is covered in fall foliage, and after the snow falls, it becomes a winter wonderland. This is a wonderful place to spend time outdoors or stop at The Pantry Barn, an unassuming store with some of the best baked goods in the area.
Swan Valley, ID, USA
Wallace Idaho Chamber/Facebook
Wallace is a delightful small town to visit any time of the year, but during the winter, it transforms into an enchanting wonderland when the gorgeous town is surrounded by snow-covered mountains. During the holiday season, Wallace becomes even more magical with its Home Town Holidays Festival, complete with a light parade, breakfast with Santa, hayrides, and more.
Wallace, ID 83873, USA
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