Sandpoint, Idaho
Sandpoint, Idaho is the place to be for an active vacation with Mother Nature. Sandpoint is located in a region sometimes referred to as "the Panhandle," a year-round playground area close to two of the three biggest lakes in Idaho. From May through October, fishing poles, boats, and hiking gear are brought out of storage. In the winter, skis and snowmobiles are put into action. A day in Sandpoint can include fishing, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, snowboarding, golf, and any number of adventures into the forested countryside.Before heading to the Great Outdoors, visit the Bonner County Historical Museum to learn about local history. The museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history of Bonner County and has a comprehensive archive of documents including old photographs, newspapers, and other correspondence highlighting different periods in local history. There are also exhibits on the indigenous Kalispel and Kootenai Indians, steamboat life on Pend Oreille Lake, and railroad life in the region. Set against a backdrop of forested terrain, the museum is as scenic as it is informative.
Sandpoint sits on the northwest corner of beautiful Pend Oreille Lake, a one-stop shopping mall for outdoor fun and aquatic adventure. The lake, the state's largest, is over 40 miles long and reaches depths of 1,100 feet in places. The summer heat brings out sun bathers who flock to City Beach looking for prime tanning time. World record rainbow and bull trout have been caught in the lake. Anglers also fish for kokonee, bluegill, crappie, brook, and brown trout, plus large and smallmouth bass. If boating is your thing, marinas are available to rent jet skis, canoes, kayaks, and make arrangements for a day of parasailing.
More outdoor fun can be found around Priest Lake, a secluded gem surrounded by thick forests and the snowcapped peaks of the Selkirk Mountains. Located approximately 20 miles north of Sandpoint, Priest Lake is really two lakes separated by a river. A haven for wildlife, some of the lake's residents are moose, mountain goats, and the occasional grizzly bear. This is the place if your interests include hiking, mountain biking, or kayaking. A favorite with hikers and bikers is the Navigation Trail, which begins at the Beaver Creek Recreation Site and leads through fern covered cedar forests.
When the winter's chill descends on the area, skiers and snowboarders flock to Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort. Located high in the Selkirk Mountains, 11 miles from Sandpoint, Schweitzer Mountain has over 2500 acres of skiable terrain catering to all abilities. Snowboarders enjoy Stomping Grounds Terrain Park, rated one of the best in the northwest. Cross country skiers have over 30 km of trails at their disposal. The little ones can learn to ski during a lesson in the Enchanted Forest terrain garden. In the summer, Schweitzer blossoms into a fun house for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking enthusiasts.
Sandpoint, Idaho has something for everyone who appreciates an active vacation in a rich area of natural wonders. Hop in your car and take a drive through the scenic Hoodoo Valley. Kids of all ages will get a kick out of the area's two theme parks, Silverwood and Boulder Beach. Golfers can tee it up at the Hidden Lakes Country Club, a scenic loop with water on 17 of the course's 18 holes. Whatever you are looking for, Sandpoint is an accommodating host.
