Boise gets a great deal of recognition as being one of the most livable and thriving cities in America, but outside the City of Trees, Idaho is overflowing with rural small-town charm that has received its own share of national accolades over the years. Quaint, cozy, historic small towns represent the heart and soul of Idaho as a hardworking, prominent piece of American history. In no particular order, here are 10 idyllic Idaho towns that offer much more than their small populations would suggest.

1. Hailey
Idaho
Wikimedia Commons
Trailing of the Sheep
Voted as one of America's top 50 small towns, Hailey is bursting at the saddle seams with beauty and rural je nai sais quoi. In addition to being home of one of the best festivals in Idaho, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Hailey hosts the Northern Rockies Music Festival and boasts the oldest functioning courthouse in the state. But really, this view alone is reason enough to love this city, yes?
2. Stanley
Stanley, Idaho/Facebook
Stanley, Idaho/Facebook
Tucked away at the entrance to the Sawtooth Mountains, this charming, isolated town of under 100 people does everything right when it comes to rural community and rustic ambiance. Year-round beauty, fantastic people, hidden gems galore, and equally incredible dining--it doesn't get any better than this idyllic Idaho town.
3. Featherville
Hayhurst B&B
Hayhurst B&B
Rustic, overlooked, and nestled in the truly spectacular Trinity mountains near Mountain Home, the Featherville-Pine area is the perfect place to settle down for some peace and quiet or enjoy the abundance of natural amenities that Idaho provides. Carefree and welcoming, this tiny slice of Idaho embodies everything there is to love about Idaho, while still offering some incredible opportunities, such as a stay at the Hayhurst B&B or Featherville Resort, or enjoying some grub at Cyndie's Featherville Cafe, a drink at the Featherville Saloon, or enjoy some small town community BBQ in the summer.
4. Stites
Kathey Zimmerman/Greater Kooskia Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
Katy Zimmerman/Greater Kooskia Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
Situated in a rich valley near the Clearwater River, but just outside the more populated town of Kooskia, this rural beauty is charmingly rugged no matter how you look at it. Check out Battle Ridge for a quintessential Idaho view, or prance through the meadow-like fields near Cemetery Road. Take a drive around the area and you'll find the abandoned Clear Creek and Pleasant Valley school sites, which still stand full of history and time-worn beauty.
5. Weiser
Idaho
J.Stephen Conn/Flickr
J.Stephen Conn/Flickr
This humble town on the Oregon border gets a great deal of recognition for its annual Oldtime Fiddle Contest and Festival, but it has much more going for it than just incredible musical talent, despite being all-too-often overlooked. Nestled at the convergence of the Weiser and Snake rivers, Weiser's expansive rural farmscape and orchards make for picturesque rural views in every direction. The town's historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot was once a bustling transportation hub, and dozens of century-old buildings dot the quaint historic districts. Weiser is also the proud home to one of small-town Idaho's best school systems.

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6. Ketchum
Nicollas Boullasa/Flickr
Sun Valley, Idaho/Facebook
Once a wealthy pioneer and mining community and home of Ernest Hemingway, Ketchum is now a year-round destination in the heart of the Sun Valley area, Idaho's most visited resort locale. Though a picturesque small town at its core, Ketchum boasts an incredible combination of old Idaho architecture, world-class recreation, and fine art. Not to mention, some fantastic eats, making it one of the best places to visit in Idaho.
7. Priest River
The City of Priest River, Idaho/Facebook
Mark Kanzler/YouTube
Priest River began as a town fueled by the lumber industry until the mid 1900's. A dense tree-filled location on the shores of its namesake waterway makes Priest River a vibrant outdoorsman's paradise, while the annual Timber Days festival pays tribute to the town's logging history. Priest River's scenic setting-reminiscent of Sandpoint but without the crowds-begs to be shown off, yet despite all odds, has remained a hidden gem along Idaho's western border.
8. Wallace
Idaho
John R. Darrington
Wallace Idaho Chamber/Facebook
Incredible history meets vibrant beauty in Wallace, which means this adorably photogenic haven has no shortage of small-town distinctions. First and foremost, the entire city of Wallace is on the National Historic Register. Literally. It's also recognized as The Center of the Universe, as officially declared in 2004. A manhole cover in Wallace's city center pays homage to this accolade. But what sets Wallace apart is something that is indescribable: a lively, energetic community spirit, easy access to some of the most beautiful scenery in northern Idaho, and a history that is interwoven into the very fabric of the town culture.
9. Preston
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Idaho
City of Preston
Known by some as simply "The Flat," Preston borders the Idaho-Utah state line and earned its nickname because of its low setting at the base of the Wellsville Mountains. A peaceful, prairie-like destination, Preston is well-known for its Famous Preston Night Rodeo and the Idaho Festival of Lights, but as of 2004, however, will forever be marked as the hometown of Napoleon Dynamite, for better or worse. But with a low crime rate and idyllic setting, Preston is the perfect combination of natural beauty and quintessential southern Idaho small-town hospitality.
10. McCall
McCall Chamber/Facebook
Jill/Flickr
Arguably one of the most beautiful towns in Idaho, thousands flock to the gorgeous, snowy McCall on the shores of Payette Lake to soak in the views and the plentiful snow. The annual Winter Carnival is the town's biggest tourism draw, but plentiful recreation, a charming downtown, and scenic state parks that are just a short drive away make it a little extra special. Not to mention, it boasts one of the best school systems in the state. But equally delightful is the close proximity to tiny, unincorporated and historic communities nearby, so you'll never run out of beauty or adventure.

Gosh, this state is beautiful! What are your favorite idyllic Idaho towns? Which ones would you add to this list?

These idyllic Idaho towns aren’t the only towns that belong on your must-visit list. Idaho is actually home to the coolest town in the West.

 

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Idyllic Idaho Towns

Daniella DiRienzo | March 01, 2021

Which small towns have the best festivals in Idaho?

There’s a lot to love about small towns, including great festivals. One that shouldn’t be missed is the Trailing of the Sheep Festival. Held every October in the towns of Sun Valley, Ketchem, and Hailey, the beloved fest celebrates the annual relocation of livestock from the mountains to their winter pasture. Fun for all ages, the yearly event includes a Folklife Fair with dancers, arts and crafts, sheep-shearing demos, cooking classes, lessons on felting and spindle spinning, and much, much more. The fun culminates with a parade of 1,500 sheep marching down Ketchum’s Main Street.

What are some of the most charming places to visit in Idaho?

Charming locales don’t just come in the form of idyllic Idaho towns, and Thomas E. Ricks Gardens in Rexburg is proof. Positively magical, the gardens are a must-visit for anyone who loves the outdoors. Like something straight from a fairy tale, the 10-acre plot of land boasts over 750 annual plants and 200 varieties of perennials, as well as an array of trees and shrubbery, but that’s not all. There are also footbridges, trickling fountains, and other whimsical touches. Home to plants that don’t grow anywhere else, the gardens (not surprisingly) attract people from all over the world.

What’s the best restaurant in small town Idaho?

When craving some small town charm, The Gateway Café in Cambridge won’t disappoint. Tucked away in a tiny town, it’s the kind of place that only locals know about and out-of-towners are lucky to stumble upon. The menu is brimming with delicious options, including burgers that are brag-worth and consistently raved about. But the fare is just half of The Gateway Café’s allure. The eatery is also known for its friendly staff, who make patrons feel right at home.

 

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Featured Addresses
Hailey, ID 83333, USA
Stanley, ID 83278, USA
Featherville, ID 83647, USA
Stites, ID 83552, USA
Weiser, ID 83672, USA
Ketchum, ID, USA
Priest River, ID 83856, USA
Wallace, ID 83873, USA
Preston, ID 83263, USA
McCall, ID 83638, USA