Side-by-Side ATV'ing in Silver Valley Idaho
Imagine 2,600 acres of pristine wilderness to get out and explore; to camp, hike, fish, ski, you name it! That is Silver Valley Idaho. Located in the Bitterroot Mountains in Idaho’s panhandle, the valley is full of year-round adventure.
In the wintertime, Silver Valley features 2 ski resorts within a 25-mile radius and Lookout Pass and Silver Mountain Resort and are considered two of Idaho’s “best kept secrets” Shhhh, you didn’t hear it from me! If you’re more of a trail over slope kinda person, the region has over 1,000 miles of snowmobile, ski, and snowshoe trails to explore.
In the summertime, you can bike the famous Coeur d’Alene trail - or e-bike like we did in Harrison! Silver Valley is surrounded by the Idaho Panhandle National Forest offering loads of hiking trails with stunning vistas to enjoy. The Coeur d’Alene River runs directly through the valley and offers over 2,000 miles of world-class fishing. You can also camp alongside the running waters or kayak or float down the river as well.
We decided for a little bit of extra adventure and went exploring on a side-by-side ATV. Silver Valley offers thousands of trails of various terrain from wide open paved roads, to narrow, more technical, paths. Add in a rainy day and mud, and this was the perfect setting for some outdoor adventure! A side-by-side is a bit sturdier than a classic ATV and provides a roll cage for safety. This was also a really fun option because my producer Kristin and I got to ride together as we filmed and explored. If you’re looking to take out your own ATV, here is the official map for off-roading trails. Don’t have an ATV? You can rent them from NorthWest Outdoor Rental Co. For more information and resources on off-roading in Idaho click here
I always say the best thing after a day of adventure is a hot meal and a cold drink. In the town of Kellogg at the Silver Mountain Resort, is Noah’s Canteen offering everything from gourmet pizza’s to steaks and tacos. When we went, they also had really amazing live music in the bar area.
If you’re looking for something a little less touristy and way more rustic, try The Snake Pit. With a long history of logging and mining in the area, The Snake Pit has been a Silver Valley staple for over 138 years. Surrounded by historic memorabilia and pretty wild stories of it’s “less reputable” years, this is a must-stop place! And don’t forget to try the Rocky Mountain Oysters while you’re here…let me know in the comments section if you know what those are…
The charming town of Kellogg and the surrounding areas of Silver Valley really do offer something for everyone and all year round! If you like the outdoors, historic charm, and excellent food, add Silver Valley to you next U.S. travel destination!
To learn more about this region go to www.silvervalleychamber.com and watch the full episode of our adventure below!
This blog and video were sponsored in part by a grant from Idaho Tourism.