Idaho is home to dozens of charming small towns that are perfect for a day trip or even a weekend getaway. While some of these towns are certainly worthy of a visit, there are others that are practically perfect. These small towns are picturesque, and you’ll definitely want a camera when visiting. Here are just nine perfectly picturesque small towns in Idaho that are worth exploring.
Wallace is one charming small town that is beautiful any time of the year as it sits at the foot of the Bitterroot Mountains. While the summer in this town is green and lush, and the fall brings gorgeous colorful foliage, our favorite time in Wallace is the winter. During this time of year, Wallace turns into a winter wonderland that is breathtaking.
We love all of Utah’s small towns, but there’s one in particular that’s especially charming. Located on Utah’s Wasatch Back, the little town of Midway is just minutes away from the glitz and glamour of Park City, but it manages to hold on to an Old World charm that’s straight out of a fairy tale.
With a population of just over 5,000 people, Midway has a rustic, rural charm with scenery that looks like it’s straight out of a story book.
Some of Midway’s earliest settlers were Swiss families who arrived in the 1860s and 70s, and Midway still has much of its original Swiss influence. You’ll see it in the architecture throughout town.
While Colorado is a world-class destination year-round, it manages to come to life even more when covered in a blanket of snow. While the state as a whole is stunning, there is one small town, in particular, that becomes even more glorious, which is the aptly-named Winter Park. Here is why Winter Park is one of the best winter trips in Colorado:
Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Winter Park may be one of Colorado’s newest communities (it was incorporated in 1979!), but what it lacks in age, it makes up for in charm!
Situated at the south end of Fraser Valley, Winter Park’s claim to fame is skiing and snowboarding, which can be accessed via the famous Winter Park Resort.
If you’ve lived in Utah very long, you know that we have the best snow in the country. Whether you love to ski and board, or just go sledding or snowshoeing, our powdery, fine snow just can’t be beat. U.S. News recently named Park City one of the best ski vacation spots in the entire country, and we have to agree that it’s pretty awesome.
People come from all over the world to visit Park City. In fact, more than three million people visit this quaint little mountain town every year.
Park City got its start as a mining town in the late 1800s, and the first ski resort opened in the town in the 1960s. The 2002 Winter Olympics shone a spotlight on the incredible beauty of this place, and its popularity has increased every year since.
There’s no denying the mining industry’s important role in Idaho history. In some ways, Idaho was born because of the mining industry and there’s no telling what our state would look like without it. Located in northern Idaho, the Silver Valley is considered the most notable mining region in the Gem State. Encompassing towns such as Wallace, Mullan, Kellogg, and Pinehurst, this region was responsible for incredible amounts of zinc, lead, and silver. Total quantities of these mined metals is estimated to total over $6 million, making the Silver Valley one of the richest mining districts in the entire world. The valley contained several prosperous mines, but by far the largest and richest was the Sunshine Mine.
The Sunshine Mine produced a whopping 360 million ounces over its lifespan. Hundreds of men went to work in the mine every single day since the mine opened in 1884 through when it closed in 2001. However, the mine is also known for being the site of one of Idaho’s most terrible tragedies.
On May 2, 1972, the small mining town of Kellogg was victim to one of Idaho’s most horrific disasters. On this morning, 173 miners headed to work underground but 91 of them never came back.
The Sunshine Mine was considered the most prosperous mine in the Silver Valley. It was also considered one of the most difficult mines to work in. Hard rock mining isn’t easy business, so the men that went to work in Sunshine were some of the roughest and best in the game.
While Washington is home to numerous caverns, including Ape Caves and Big Four Ice Caves, there are none quite like the Guler Ice Caves. Located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, these unique lava tubes are filled with incredible ice formations that would make Elsa and Anna envious. The ice is present year-round, making the Guler Ice Caves a fun destination any time of the year. These ice caves in Washington are a stunning natural wonder, one you need to add to your bucket list immediately!
The 650-foot long Guler Ice Cave is a small piece of an extensive network of caves in the Indian Heaven Volcanic Field between Mount Adams and Mount Saint Helens.
If you’re looking for a winter getaway that’s sure to please, then head off the beaten path to the little, old Western town of Winthrop, Washington. Nestled in picturesque Okanogan County, you’ll find the Sun Mountain Lodge, a premier resort surrounded by snowshoe and cross-country skiing trails.
A holly jolly adventure awaits at the Sun Mountain Lodge.
Sun Mountain Lodge is undeniably one of the most beautiful places to stay in Washington in the wintertime. The lodge sits perched high above the Methow Valley with panoramic views of the Cascade Mountain Range, an idyllic location for a variety of winter sports and activities.
Here you’ll find the largest destination cross-country ski resort in the United States.
The Willamette Valley is known throughout the U.S. for its amazing wine and gorgeous vineyards, and one of the most magical wineries of all is King Estate. If sipping delicious wine paired with mouthwatering, farm-fresh food while overlooking hundreds of acres of rolling green hills sounds like an ideal way to spend the afternoon (and how could it not?), head to this enchanting winery in Oregon:
Tucked into the Willamette Valley near Eugene, King Estate is a wonderful winery that’s perfect for a picturesque day trip.
As you pull into the parking lot, you’ll be blown away by the stunning, expansive views and the unique, castle-like estate. The restaurant and tasting room are located at the top of a hill overlooking more than 1,000 acres of rolling vineyards, gardens, and orchards.
When the weather gets cold and the winter storms roll in across the state, you might feel like snuggling up with a blanket and a cup of cocoa. While we wholeheartedly endorse that idea, you might also lace up your snow boots, put on your parka, and get out there to enjoy Utah’s frozen landscape. Bryce Canyon National Park is particularly pretty in the snow, and you’re going to want to get a look. When you are searching for the best national park to visit in Utah during the winter, we highly suggest Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon National Park covers 35,835 acres and its amphitheaters of hoodoos are famous all over the world for their unique beauty.
During the winter in Utah, Bryce Canyon’s beauty is amplified when a dusting of snow covers the hoodoos. The bright, white snow against the deep orange sandstone is a truly stunning sight.
Need an idea for your next great Oregon adventure? Oregon is home to many majestic waterfalls just waiting to be discovered. We’ve mapped out a scenic road trip that visits some of the best Oregon waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, Salt Creek Falls, Ramona Falls, and more. From hidden forest cascades to roaring natural wonders, these majestic waterfalls will make you fall head-over-heels for Oregon.