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Known for its expansive wilderness and mountain landscapes, Idaho is the perfect place to get away from it all. The Gem State is one of the least densely populated states in the nation and it shows in its small towns where life moves at a slower pace. In these quiet communities, you can take your time exploring Idaho’s many natural and historical attractions. Spend a lazy afternoon soaking in a healing hot spring, breathe in the alpine air on a Rocky Mountain hike, or go underground to visit a historic silver mine. On an Idaho vacation, quiet is anything but boring.

Wallace

Quirky and quaint, the town of Wallace in northern Idaho declared itself the ‘Center of the Universe’ in 2004 and has held that official title ever since. But there’s more to this quiet community than its oddball sense of humor. Wallace is one of only four places in the country where the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tucked into Silver Valley in the beautiful Bitterroot Mountains, Wallace is an historic mining town that can trace its history back to 1884. It’s a slow-paced town but don’t let that fool you, Wallace has lots to keep visitors busy. Ride or hike the Hiawatha Trail to see some of the best views in the state, following an old rail line that passes through 10 tunnels and over 7 trestle bridges as it winds through the mountains.

Explore underground on the Sierra Silver Mine tour, during which a retired miner guides visitors through a real silver mine. This unique attraction includes a short historic trolley tour of downtown Wallace en route to the mine’s entrance.

See the oldest building in Idaho at the Coeur d’Alene Old Mission State Park, around half an hour's drive from town, where Catholic Missionaries joined with members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe to build the Mission of the Sacred Heart between 1850 and 1853. Today, the beautifully landscaped grounds of the park are home to the church, parish house, and a cemetery. The Visitors’ Center also contains an exhibition on the site’s history and a gift shop.

Priest River

Priest River is a great place to get away from the crowds and into the heart of Idaho’s stunning outdoors. Situated in the Selkirk Mountain range and bordered by two rivers, the Priest and the Pend Oreille rivers, the town is a paradise for nature-lovers with lots of opportunities to fish, boat, hike, bike, ski, and camp. If you’re visiting in winter, be sure to visit Priest Lake, an hour's drive north of the town. The lake is known as one of the best snowmobiling areas in the state. An extensive network of trails take riders around the lake and up into the dazzling alpine scenery of the Selkirk Mountains.

Priest River is also a great base from which to explore the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage Scenic Byway, a riverside route that traces a historic trade route through pastoral countryside, forests, and farms.

Strategically positioned on this trade route, Priest River thrived in the late 19th century and early 20th century as a logging town. You can see this history on display at the Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center where you’ll learn about the construction of the town’s first sawmill in 1897 and how it impacted the area.

Stanley

At the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains, by the banks of the Salmon River, it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful setting for the small town of Stanley. This quiet community is surrounded by over 1,000 miles of pristine wilderness, providing adventure and recreation all year-round.

Strap on your hiking boots to explore the mountains on foot, booking a guided trek with a knowledgeable mountaineer or going it alone in the Sawtooth, White Cloud and Salmon River Ranges. You can pick up a trail guide and maps from the Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center. You may also want to try river rafting while you’re in town. The Sawtooth Adventure Company offers Class III and Class IV whitewater rafting excursions as well as kayak tours and fly fishing trips.

If you’re looking for relaxation after getting out and about, visit one of Stanley’s many hot springs for the ultimate healing bath. There are two springs and a spa at the Mountain Village Resort where you can take a tranquil soak in the steamy water while enjoying views of the Sawtooth Mountains’ jagged peaks.

Despite the peace of the wilderness and the serenity of the springs, it's not always quiet in Stanley. During the summer months, the town gets together for Thursday Night Street Dances downtown and, in the winter, celebrates the season with a February Winterfest.

Ketchum

Another of Idaho’s alpine towns, Ketchum, is nestled beside Sun Valley in the state’s Rocky Mountain range. The settlement began in the late 1800s out of the silver and lead mining boom, and later became an agricultural hub and a resort town. In 2008, Ketchum was designated a Dark Sky Reserve thanks to its lack of urban light, allowing stargazers a stunning view of the night sky. See the glittering skies for yourself at the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve which covers 906,000 acres within the Sawtooth National Forest. Ketchum lies within the boundary of the reserve, the main route through which is the ID 75 which runs north out of town.

The Sun Valley area is known for its excellent fishing—iconic author Ernest Hemingway is known to have cast his rod in these creeks. Around a 45-minute drive south of Ketchum lies the Silver Creek Preserve, which offers º£½ÇÉçÇø-class fly fishing with stocks of trophy-sized brown trout. The Preserve is also home to waterfowl, sandhill cranes, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, deer, and elk.

After enjoying Ketchum’s natural beauty, see some of its creative side at the Sun Valley Museum of Art. Located in downtown Ketchum, this vibrant gallery offers exhibitions and programs that showcase local talent, as well as hosting regular talks and presentations.

Bonners Ferry

Bonners Ferry, in the Kootenai River Valley, is a tranquil town in northern Idaho near the Canadian border. It’s known for its unspoilt wilderness which attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round, eager to hike, bike, or ski the alpine trails that surround the town. Visit the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge on the outskirts of town to meet some of the area’s wild inhabitants, including moose, elk, deer, bear, otter, bald eagles, and migratory waterfowl. The preserve contains four hiking trails, a 4.5-mile scenic driving loop, and a visitor’s center.

Back in town, the Boundary County Museum gives visitors a glimpse into the town’s early days as well as the lives of the Indigenous people who preceded it, the Kootenai Tribe. Be sure to stop by the White Caribou Gift Shop to pick up a unique souvenir from their collection of books, postcards, pins, clothing, and more. While exploring downtown, take a look at The Pearl Theater, a beautifully renovated historic church-turned-theater that is now the town’s arts and cultural hub. The Pearl’s busy events schedule includes live music, workshops, craft fairs, talks, exhibitions, and comedy shows.

Salmon

Salmon is a small, secluded mountain town on the edge of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho. This sprawling wilderness area includes several mountain ranges, the Salmon River Canyon, and four National Forests, making it the largest contiguous wilderness in the Lower 48.

Originally a mining and ranching town, Salmon is now a popular destination for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and wildlife watchers. Of course, you can’t come to a town called salmon and not fish. Take a trip with a local guide or go solo to catch Rainbow, Cutthroat, Brook and Steelhead Trout in the area’s scenic lakes and streams. Idaho River Adventures offers both fishing trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, as well as a ‘wine rafting trip’ for those who like the sound of wine tasting after a long day on the water.

The Salmon Valley is the birthplace of Sacajawea, the Lemhi Shoshone woman who helped the Lewis and Clark Expedition on its journey west. You can learn about this historic heroine at the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, & Educational Center, a 71-acre park just east of downtown Salmon. The park includes an Interpretative Center, Gift Shop, Community Garden, and outdoor amphitheatre for special events.

Just a few miles from Salmon, you’ll find the Sharkey Hot Springs, where you can take a soak in the valley’s naturally mineralized waters. The site of the springs is a managed recreation area with two large soaking pools, heated changing rooms, and bathrooms.

Hailey

Known as ‘Idaho’s hometown in the mountains’, Hailey is one of Idaho’s hidden treasures, tucked into the Wood River Valley in the Central Idaho Rockies. The Sawtooth and Challis National Forest nudges up against the town, providing ample opportunities for visitors to hike or bike the many trails. Mountain bikers will also enjoy the Croy Creek Trailhead, a bike park in the high desert west of Hailey which offers six trails, from beginner to advanced. If you’re visiting in winter, head to the Rotarun Ski Area, a public ski area with eight groomed runs, youth programs, and night skiing events.

Blaine County, where Hailey is located, offers more than stunning natural scenery. This area has seen a lot of history, from its early Native American inhabitants to its mining and agricultural heritage. Take a journey through the centuries at the Blaine County Historical Museum on Main Street. The museum shares quirky anecdotes - in 1884 an escaped circus elephant rampaged through the town! - unique memorabilia and fascinating artifacts. Permanent displays include exhibits on Ezra Pound, who was born in Hailey, ranching, mining, and pioneer life.

Off the Beaten Track in Idaho

The best vacations involve a reset. Getting away from the daily grind offers us a chance to slow down, experience new things, see life in a different way, and come back home refreshed. There’s no better place to tap into that feeling than in Idaho's charming small towns where breathtaking scenery nudges up against the shady streets of historic downtowns. In America’s west, you’ll find history, heritage, and hospitality blending together to provide a vacation like no other. Explore the Gem State's quiet small towns to meander off the beaten track and into your next adventure.