10 Places To Go In North Idaho - Idaho Travel Guide

North Idaho is the ultimate adventure travel destination. Filled with lakes, surrounded by mountains, and loads of historic towns, this region can easily be explored by car with something new at every turn. I was blown away by the amount of adventures available in such a small region. From rock climbing and hiking, to E-bikes and ATV’s, to basically any kind of boating adventure, North Idaho has it all! Here are 10 places to go when you travel to North Idaho.

1.TRIPLE PLAY, HAYDEN

If you’re looking for something unique to do with your family on your next vacation, check out Triple Play in Hayden, Idaho. Triple Play is an award-winning family entertainment center with a full arcade, water park, bowling alley, adventure course, and more! I had such a great time here testing out my fear of heights on the ropes course and zipping through laser tag. They also have a putt-putt course, bumper boats, go-karts, bumper cars, and interactive games. Add in Raptor Reef Water Park and you have one heck of a family vacation! Compared to similar facilities I’ve seen like this, Triple Play is about twice as large for about 1/3 of the cost! It’s also connected to it’s very own hotel and suites, making your vacation planning super easy!

2. BONNERS FERRY

Bonners Ferry is known as “Idaho’s Most Friendly Town” and it certainly lives up to the name. With the epic Kootenai Brewing Company and adorable downtown, I could have spent days here. The brewery also had the BEST grilled salmon (straight from Alaska) I’ve ever had! We stayed in the historic Northside School Bed & Breakfast which dates all the way back to 1914. This picturesque area is surrounded by 3 different mountain ranges and full of outdoor activity.

3. COPPER FALLS/KOOTENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, BONNERS FERRY

Speaking of outdoor adventure, when you’re in Bonners Ferry check out the towering Copper Falls and the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. Copper Falls is a 1.4-mile out-and-back hike that can easily be tackled in a couple of hours. This stunning 225-foot waterfall is a must-see. The Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge spans over 2,774 acres and is surrounded by mountains. Inside the refuge, is another gorgeous Idaho waterfall; Myrtle Falls. Bonners Ferry is an amazing combination of great food and people and incredible natural landscape.

4. PRIEST LAKE

Priest Lake is located at the top of Idaho’s panhandle, and this 19-mile long lake is an outdoor enthusiasts dream! Surrounded by mountains, the views here feel like they’re out of a postcard! We took out a pontoon boat from Blue Diamond Marina and Resort and explored during the day and then headed up to the top of Sundance Mountain for one incredible sunset! Sundance Lookout sits at 6,298’ and offers stunning views of the entire lake as well as the surrounding mountain ranges.

5. ST. MARIES

St. Maries is the “Hidden Jewel of the Gem State”. This scenic town is full of small-town charm. With two major rivers and tons of beautiful lakes, this region has epic views everywhere you turn! While I wish I had more time to explore here, I’m glad I made the stop in this historic city! Now I just need to come back for the Paul Bunyon Days Event!

6. SPIRIT LAKE

Spirit Lake, Idaho is the perfect combination of outdoor adventure and wild-west style town. The historic downtown reminded me of Deadwood South Dakota without all of the tourists. We enjoyed a homemade meal and some live music at the White Horse Saloon. The following day, we headed out on the Brickel Creek Trail to find some hidden waterfalls. The trail is only open from Memorial Day to mid-October due to water levels but if you find yourself in Spirit Lake during the summer and fall months, I can’t recommend it enough! The trail winds through wide open spaces, towering woods, and finishes off with a series of trickling falls. Afterward, grab a burger at Messy’s Burgers and be sure to explore the adorable shops.

7. HARRISON

Harrison, Idaho is a bicyclist’s paradise! With the famous 72-mile long Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes running through, this is a must-see North Idaho destination. Harrison is filled with quaint shops and restaurants as well as bars and patios overlooking the southernmost part of the massive Coeur d’Alene Lake. We rented E-bikes (electric bikes that go up to 25 mph) to see as much of the trail as possible. Running alongside waterways, this was one heck of a bike ride! We topped it off with some locally-made ice cream at the Harrison Creamery and Fudge Factory and an ice cold beer at the Ride and Reel.

8. KELLOGG, SILVER VALLEY

Silver Valley is the ultimate 4-season destination. With the Silver Mountain Ski Resort right in the heart of town and nearby trails for skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, winter is an amazing time to visit the valley. In the summertime and fall (when we were there), the surrounding mountains offer an endless outdoor playground for hiking, biking, and fishing. We took out side-by-side ATV rides for an extra adrenaline thrill. The Silver Valley also has something for everyone’s taste. For a local restaurant full of history, The Snake Pit is the place to go. Looking for something more high end after a day on the slopes? Check out Noah’s Canteen. With so much to do year-round, this is a destination I’d love to visit again and again.

9. PRIEST RIVER

Along the International Selkirk Loop and the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage, is the town of Priest River. With world-class fishing and numerous trails in the Selkirk Mountains, there is so much to see and do here. The historic logging town dates back to the 1890’s and celebrates to this day with its annual Timberdays Festival. This was another town that I wish I had more time to explore. When you come, check out the Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center and the Experimental Forest.

10. POST FALLS

Nestled between Spokane, Washington and the city of Coeur d’Alenes is Post Falls. The 78-acre Q’emiln Park features bbq pits, a boat launch and beach, volleyball courts, and over 40 acres of hiking trails. Within the park, there are also over 100 natural rock climbing routes. The nearby North Idaho College offers classes to take out beginners and show em’ the ropes (pun intended). With rock climbing on my bucket list, Post Falls was the perfect place to face my fears and try climbing. The amazing instructors helped me to feel safe and secure and accomplish my first rock climb. We ended our adventure day at the Republic Kitchen and Taphouse with a local craft brew.

North Idaho is full of outdoor adventures and good food and beer. Each town has its own unique history and activities. If you’re looking for beautiful mountains, refreshing lakes, and endless good times, be sure to add North Idaho to your next vacation destination. Check out the full video below and click here to learn more about North Idaho.

THIS BLOG AND VIDEO WERE SPONSORED IN PART BY A GRANT FROM IDAHO TOURISM.