Cover photo courtesy of Visit Sandpoint
Fall has a way of making familiar places feel new again. Cooler mornings, golden mountains and quieter days invite you to slow down, take the scenic route, and experience autumn from many different angles.
Set on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille and framed by the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains, Sandpoint, Idaho, is surrounded by the kind of autumn landscapes that reward curiosity. And while you may already have a favorite trail, bike route or lake view, there are plenty of places beyond the usual stops waiting to be discovered.
This fall, try a trail you’ve never walked, pedal a new route, explore the lake from its quieter corners, trade your boots for a saddle, or get an up-close look at the wildlife that calls North Idaho home.
Here are five ways to make a fall Sandpoint adventure feel a little more unexpected.
1. Find a Trail You Haven’t Tried
With some 200 trails within an hour of Sandpoint, there’s always another
path to take. And fall might be the best time to find it. Cooler temperatures make for comfortable hiking, while changing leaves add a new layer of color to the mountains, forests and lake views.
Sandpoint’s justifiably popular trails that are near at hand include the Pend d’Oreille Bay, Mickinnick and Gold Hill trails—all offering rewarding walks or hikes. But less well known on the lake shoreline is the Maiden Rock Trail, a half hour southeast of town. The trail leads down a steep 2 miles to a Forest Service recreation site with a cobblestone beach and views to the Green Monarchs.
That one’s a bit strenuous. Want something easier? For some oft-overlooked walks, head about 35 minutes north via Highway 95 to take a stroll along paths in the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. You’ll get gorgeous views of the Kootenai River Valley and—big bonus!—in fall can see thousands of waterfowl migrating down the Pacific Flyway.
2. Ride Beyond the Usual
For mountain bikers, the excellent trail systems at Schweitzer and Pine Street Woods may already be on your ride list. Want to try something new? Point your handlebars north.
About 25 minutes up Highway 95 near Bonners Ferry, the Section 16 trails maintained by the 9B Trails group offer more than 10 miles of non-technical trails ranging from easy to intermediate. Various trails move between forest and open country, with a couple offering steep descents into a pair of gulches.
Another half hour north is another fine but lesser-known MTB destination, Brush Lake. This Forest Service trail offers a moderately easy 6-mile loop around the lake, plus a connector to the Tungsten Mountain trail to add 7 more challenging miles.
3. See the Lake from a Different Angle
Magnificent Lake Pend Oreille is fun to explore from the shoreline, but some of its best experiences happen on the water.
The Clark Fork delta and driftwood yard, about 25 minutes east of
Sandpoint on Highway 200, is a prime spot to launch a kayak, canoe or motor boat. The delta’s maze of islands, channels and backwaters reveals a quieter side of the lake, where the pace just naturally slows down.
Prefer a bigger craft? Head to Hope for a variety of sightseeing cruises offered on the classic Shawnodese tour boat operated by Lake Pend Oreille Cruises. Look for bald eagles, explore the islands off Hope, or take the 3G Tour down the south leg of the lake through some of the lake’s most dramatic scenery.
4. Explore North Idaho from the Saddle
There are trails you walk, and trails you bike. But for a different kind of trail experience—from the back of a horse—head 15 miles northeast into the foothills of the Cabinet Mountains at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch.
This fifth-generation guest ranch offers guided 2-hour scenic fall color rides starting in late September; in October you can make it a weekend or a week with cabin rentals and B&B stays at the ranch. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a first-timer climbing into the saddle, it’s a chance to experience the North Idaho autumn at one of the state’s premier guest ranches.
5. Fun for the Kids, Too
Some adventures are sized just right for the whole family. One good one is the WaterLife Discovery Center, a few miles west of Sandpoint along the Pend Oreille River, where families can follow self-guided nature trails through wetlands and riverfront habitat, explore the fish hatchery and interpretive exhibits, and peer beneath the surface at underwater viewing areas. Keep watch for eagles and waterfowl, too.
In town, especially if weather turns inclement, the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market houses the Creations Discovery Museum with play areas, art activities and a Lego studio all open seven days. And if the weather is fine, there’s also a brand-new playground at Travers Park on Pine Street, also home to a newly expanded skatepark and the Tiny Wood bike skills course.
Here’s a concluding word to the wise: Don’t try to fit it all into a single day! Make it a weekend stay and enjoy Sandpoint’s charming downtown, terrific entertainment events and legendary dining opportunities. Get more info on all these activities, plus events, lodging and dining, at VisitSandpoint.com
