Cover photo courtesy of Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce
Just an hour and a half from Spokane, Idaho’s Silver Valley hits its stride in summer. When snowpack finally clears the high country, the full range of adventures opens up—from gondola-accessed mountain trails and long river corridors to digging into North Idaho’s mining history.
The paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes winds its way through the valley, with multiple trailheads to get out for a ride or easy walk. Plan your outing around a post-adventure stop at one of several local breweries and eateries. Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg offers a choose-your-own adventure option with gondola-served mountain biking, hiking and scenic rides. Every Friday evening through Sept. 4, the resort hosts its Ride & Dine event with a gondola ride and mountaintop BBQ with live music (reservations required).
In Wallace, the Sierra Silver Mine Tour and the Oasis Bordello Museum offer a look into the valley’s mining history. Pay a visit to the Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park—home to Idaho’s oldest standing building—to experience another chapter of the region’s past. Silver Valley is close enough to the Spokane area for spontaneous day trips and impromptu multi-day getaways.
