The northern part of the Gem State glistens with sparkling lakes, picturesque routes, and small towns waiting to be explored.
By Susie Wall
July-August 2026
If you stick to Interstate 90, you could easily cross the Idaho Panhandle in just under an hour. While this might be the fastest route to traverse the state’s northern tip, I would not describe it as the most interesting. Instead, let’s hop off the interstate, escape the traffic, and take our time exploring all that the panhandle of Idaho has to offer, from driving scenic byways around sparkling lakes to visiting small towns and exploring historical treasures.
WHERE SILVER SHINES
We begin our journey right off I-90 in the weird and wonderful town of Wallace.
Nicknamed the “Silver Capital of the World” during the mining boom of the 1880s, Wallace attracted its share of wealthy business owners, nefarious characters, and women of a certain persuasion. Today, it’s a jovial community that embraces its raucous past.
The Sierra Silver Mine Tour in Wallace, Idaho, is a one of the many things to check out in the Idaho Panhandle.
Get a glimpse into the industry that put Wallace on the map on the Sierra Silver Mine Tour. A trolley takes you to the mine just a few miles north of town where a tour guide — a retired miner himself — tells stories of the hard-working men who toiled day and night in these dark, dank tunnels.
Back in Wallace, do not miss the chance to tour the Oasis Bordello, now operated as a museum, where every room appears frozen in time from when the feds raided the business in 1988. Also stroll the wide streets that circle the heart of town, where colorful buildings date back to the turn of the 19th century. In fact, the entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places. It bears a newer nickname as well: “The Center of the Universe.” This came about thanks to the creative antics of then-Mayor Ron Garitone in 2004. Look for the manhole cover at the intersection of Bank and Sixth streets that marks the spot.
End your stay at the Wallace RV Park. Tucked against a forested hill along Nine Mile Road, the campground offers full-hookup sites in a quiet setting. City Limits Brew Pub sits at one end of the park, so you can toast the town with a locally brewed Mountain Top Amber.
The Coeur d’Alene Casino & Resort in Worley, Idaho.
COEUR d’ALENE
Our next stop, Coeur d’Alene, is known for its enormous namesake lake, which boasts over 135 miles of shoreline. While the town lies just 50 miles west of Wallace when traveling on I-90, we instead take the scenic route at Exit 34 to follow the White Pine Scenic Byway, then catch the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway for picturesque lake views and plenty of opportunities to stop along those miles of shoreline.
Once in town, get on the water by booking a tour through Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises. Short on time? Choose the 90-minute scenic excursion. Time to spare? Settle in for the six-hour journey down the St. Joe River, one of the world’s highest navigable rivers.
The panoramic views along Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway.
Coeur d’Alene proper can be very crowded, so unless you want to visit the boutique shops and restaurants in the heart of town, avoid this area and head to the less-visited southwestern side of the lake to stay and play at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort. The resort offers RV parking with electric hookups for $30 a night. Once there, try your luck in their 60,000-square-foot casino, or play a round at the Circling Raven Golf Club.
The casino is owned by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, or Schitsu’umsh people. As such, some of the most unique experiences at the resort are cultural tours and events. These include guided hikes such as the Majestic Encounters Eagle Aviary Tour; craft workshops; and the Heritage and History Dinner Show. Visit cdacasino.com/cultural-tourism for currently offered activities.
LAKE PEND OREILLE
It’s time to leave the interstate in our rearview mirror and head north toward another massive body of water. If you thought Lake Coeur d’Alene was a sight to behold, get ready for Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s biggest and deepest lake, which stretches for 43 miles in the shadow of several major mountain ranges.
Taking advantage of the lake’s 1,150-foot depth, the United States Navy built the Farragut Naval Training Station on its southern tip. This became the second-largest seaman training station in the world during World War II. The facility is now part of Farragut State Park. Tour the expansive Museum at the Brig to learn about the 293,000 men and women who attended basic training here, and explore the eerie prison cells where unruly recruits, or “boots,” were incarcerated.
Breathe in the fresh mountain air in the rest of the park’s 4,000 acres by exploring over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails, fishing for trout and walleye, and scanning for the mountain goats that cling to the cliffs across the water on Bernard Peak.
With 265 sites, the park offers plenty of camping options. Reservations can be made through the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. They fill up fast, so book early.
SANDPOINT
The Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway in Sandpoint, Idaho.
City Beach in Sandpoint, Idaho.
We continue our journey north along the lakeshore, past picturesque villages, before entering Sandpoint, the largest town on Lake Pend Oreille, despite its population of just under 10,000 residents. But do not let its size fool you, as this small town is well worth a stop.
If you can snag a site, the City Beach RV Park is the best choice for a base camp. It only has 21 spots, but you cannot beat the location, just steps from the lakeshore in one direction and the heart of town in the other.
Get on the water aboard the historic Shawnodese, a 36-passenger boat operated by Lake Pend Oreille Cruises. Choose from the six tours offered, which include watching for bald eagles and taking in the scenery of the Clark Fork River Delta.
Browse the art galleries between First Avenue and Cedar Street and get a taste for Idaho’s famous potatoes at Spuds Waterfront Grill. When happy hour rolls around, head over to Pend d’Oreille Winery for a flight of delectable locally produced wines.
Bonners Ferry in Sandpoint, Idaho.
BONNERS FERRY
We continue our journey north. But first, let’s rest and recharge at Blue Lake RV Resort, just 24 miles outside of Sandpoint. This full-service campground offers shaded sites both within the pines and along the resort’s lake. Some even have personal wine decks so you can watch the sunset while enjoying that bottle you picked up at Pend d’Oreille Winery. Other amenities include a sauna, boat rentals, and a dog park.
Next, we are on to the town of Bonners Ferry along the Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway, which runs between Sandpoint and the Canadian border.
Bonners Ferry was named after enterprising entrepreneur Edwin L. Bonner and the ferry he built in the 1860s. The ferry helped fortune-seeking prospectors cross the very wide and very wild Kootenai River to reach the goldfields of British Columbia.
The Boundary County Historical Museum in downtown Sandpoint, Idaho.
Learn about Edwin and the history of Bonners Ferry downtown at the Boundary County Historical Society & Museum, which is packed with local memorabilia. Then stroll along the streets, which are lined with locally owned businesses, like the Wellness Tea Bar & Organic Bistro. Its proprietors are fifth-generation locals who love to chat about their beloved town while quenching patrons’ thirsts with hot or cold loose-leafed teas flavored with wild sage, hibiscus flowers, and other uncommon ingredients.
Just north of town, you can stock up on supplies at The Gathering Place. This family-owned collection of businesses includes a bakery, coffee shop, country store, and produce stand. Their large lot offers plenty of room to park while you fill up on fresh-baked breads, locally grown fruits and vegetables, spices, soup mixes, and bath and body products that help combat the dry Idaho air.
For those looking to extend their trip, I highly recommend continuing north from Bonners Ferry along the International Selkirk Loop, North America’s only multinational scenic driving loop. This 280-mile drive reveals the Selkirk Mountains of Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia.
PRIEST LAKE
We leave the uppermost section of the Idaho Panhandle and head back down, traveling southwest to visit another impressive body of water: Priest Lake, not far from the Washington state border. Although Priest Lake and Bonners Ferry practically touch, as the crow flies, no developed roads run between them. This just means we get to extend our beautiful drive by catching the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage Scenic Byway, which follows the Pend Oreille River from Sandpoint to the town of Priest River.
Once in Priest River, turn north again and catch one of two roads that lead to the southern tip of Priest Lake. While both will get you there, I recommend sticking to State Route 57 as opposed to getting off onto the curvy, narrow East River Road.
Once you reach the lake, you can choose your own adventure. Explore one of the many back roads that lead to hidden pockets of lakeshore; take a hike; check into one of the many private and U.S. Forest Service-run campgrounds, such as Copper Creek Campground, a small USFS facility one mile from the town of Eastport.
Or, follow the road that hugs the eastern shore to Priest Lake State Park. Tucked away in the wild and remote Selkirk Mountains, it’s less than 30 miles from the Canadian border and is home to wildlife such as black bears and moose. Activities include swimming, volleyball, hiking, boating, and camping at the well-equipped Indian Creek Campground — a great place to spend a relaxing evening under the cedar trees, reflecting on our journey crisscrossing the Idaho Panhandle.
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