Sandpoint - Between the
Lakes
Idaho's panhandle -- north of Coeur
d'Alene -- is a vacation area which can only be described
with superlatives. The two major lakes which define the
area are Lake Pend Oreille and Priest Lake. The resort
town of Sandpoint lies at the north end of Lake Pend
Oreille, with the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness to the east
and the Selkirk foothills coming down from the north --
over the Canadian border. The two lakes are joined by the
Priest River.
What to See and Do
Sandpoint is a city which takes its
visitors seriously. For instance, the Cedar Street
Bridge is a unique shopping galleria which spans a
350 foot creek. Included is the Vintage Wheel
Museum, with has a large collection of antique
vehicles.
The cultural highlight of the summer season
in the area is the Festival at Sandpoint, founded
by composer and conductor Gunther Schuller in 1983 and
now an early August festival which features symphony, pop
rock and everything in between. The festival is part of a
musical training center which mixes young musicians and
the greats of classical and jazz music.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort is a year
round resort complex, just north of Sandpoint. It's the
area's ski hill in winter months, and a Selkirk Mountains
lodge in the summer, offering stunning views from the top
of the chair lift. Some of the summer festival events are
held here. Ten miles south of Sandpoint, Round Lake
State Park features campsites in a mixed forest of
red cedar, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and larch.
Sandpoint has a full range of accommodations including
cozy resorts, motels, bed and breakfasts, and RV parks.
North of Sandpoint, in Boundary County, is
the logging town of Bonners Ferry. A bridge
hanging 450 feet over the Moyie River has replaced the
ferry. This is also a resort town although the notable
lodges are a few miles out of town (and as far away as
Moyie Springs where the Moyie & Kootenai
rivers meet). The home of the Lower Kootenai Indian band,
the area was settled by whites when gold was found across
the British Columbia border and Edwin Bonner established
the ferry to aid gold prospectors and tradesmen flocking
to the gold region. Steamer service was inaugurated on
the Kootenai in 1883. The town, like Sandpoint, is a
summer and fall destination for anglers, hunters and
hikers.
The Priest Lake recreation region lies west
of Bonners Ferry. Priest River is the small town
at the southern foot of the river of the same name. The
centerpiece of the area is Priest Lake State Park,
containing kokanee salmon, and mackinaw, with sandy
beaches and campsiles in the forests of giant cedar. In
winter, the area is open to snowmobiles and there are
cross-country ski trails in the Kaniksu National
Forest. The major north/south road is Highway 95.
Hotels
Here a few places stay and camp outside of
Sandpoint, in the midst of Idaho's impressive natural
beauty.
Bighorn Lodge
710 Bull River Road, Bull River, Montana
(406) 847-5597
If you wish to drive an hour past Sandpoint, into
Montana, you'll find this scenic location and a country
inn featuring trail rides, canoe river floating, fishing
and eight hiking trails in the Cabinet Mountains.
Green Gables Lodge - at Schweitzer
Mtn.
(208) 265-0257 or 800-831-8810
The lodge is slopeside during the ski season, and a fine
place to stay in the other months, when the resort offers
hiking and other activities. The lodge has suites,
standard rooms, and rooms with kitchenettes. Condominium
units are also available through the same reservation
number.
Red Fir Resort
(208) 264-5287
Located 20 miles east of Sandpoint on Ellisport Bay, this
resort features cottages that sleep from 4 to 10 people.
Each cabin has it's own boat slip, private deck and
barbeque. There is a swim dock, and sitting areas along
the waterfront. Nearby you will find full service
marinas, restaurants and a golf course. Drive 20 miles
east of Sandpoint on Hwy. 200 and turn right on Peninsula
Rd. and drive 2 miles to Red Fir Resort. The Red Fir
Resort is on a wild game preserve.
River Birch Farm
(208) 263-3705 or 800-700-3705
Located 13 miles west of Sandpoint on Highway 2, this
outstanding bed and breakfast home is on the Pend Oreille
River. It's open year round, with whirlpool and a "full"
four course breakfast served to guests.
Schweitzer Mountain Condominiums
(208) 263-9555
A ski resort in the winter months as well as a summer
mountain resort, this is an excellent place to stay with
a scenic location. It's 30 minutes drive north of
Sandpoint, off Highway 95.These accommodations are
condo-style units. There are restaurants and pubs nearby.
Write: P.O. Box 81 5, Sandpoint, ID 83864.
Camping and RV
Parking
Idaho Country Resorts
(208) 264-5505 or 800-307-3050
This is a large RV resort, on Lake Pend Oreille, with 170
full hookup sites, tent sites, boat docks, laundry, boat
rentals, gas, store and propane. There are also
housekeeping cottages at the resort. 141 Idaho County
Road, 3 miles west of Hope, Idaho, and 12 miles from
Sandpoint.
Silverwood Theme Park - RV Park
(208) 683-3400
The RV park is located across the highway from the family
theme park. Facilities include 127 sites with full
hookups, store, laundry, hot showers, picnic tables,
grills, and a recreation area.
Travel America Plaza
(208) 263-7511 or 263-6522
This is another large campground, with 82 sites,
including full hookups, pull throughs, laundry, store and
propane. Located six miles south of Sandpoint on the west
side of Hwy. 95.
