Adventure wet & wild
Exploration, play, and recreation abound in Sandpoint. Around the next bend awaits a new vista to be relished and experiences to be shared. Hiking, biking, swimming, boating, horseback riding, and ATVing are just the start. Discover breathtaking, vast spaces guaranteed to inspire awe, rejuvenation, and likely hoots and hollers of joy – or at least sighs of contentment. Forge some deeply rewarding memories!
Cross country skiing at Pine Street Woods
Sleigh ride at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
Carving the corduroy at Schweitzer
Ice skating at The Pond
so much snow means so much fun
deep into the joys of winter go
Amazing winter getaways start with amazing places and things to do in those places – and you can’t do much better than Sandpoint and Schweitzer. The largest ski resort in Idaho and Washington delivers astonishing views, uncrowded slopes, and a perfect mix of beginner-to-expert slopes, not to mention some super dining and après ski options. Off the slopes find XC skiing, skating and more. Deep six the winter blues in Sandpoint!
sandpoINT's EvENTS caLendAr
February 2025
14-23 Sandpoint Winter Carnival. Our town's "antidote to cabin fever" includes live music, festivals and events downtown, plus torchlight parade and fireworks show at Schweitzer. SandpointWinterCarnival.com
March 2025
1 MegaDemo Day. Schweitzer hosts region's largest demo day with the latest gear from major companies. Prizes, samples and more! Schweitzer.com
28 Wild and Scenic Film Festival. Curated films about wild places and the people working to protect them. ScotchmanPeaks.org
ApriL 2025
12-13 Schpring Finale. Classic Schweitzer party closes out the ski year, with a Cardboard Box Derby, costumes and prizes. Schweitzer.com
26-May 4 K&K Spring Fishing Derby. Annual fishing derby on Lake Pend Oreille, with prizes for largest fish caught in multiple divisions. LPOIC.org
May 2025
3 Farmers Market Opens. The season kicks off, with markets every Saturday and Wednesday through October at Farmin Park. SandpointFarmersMarket.com
3 3/4 Minus Cykeltur. Gravel grinder with 52and 76-mile routes on mixed-surface roads, plus a twist of single-track trail. PanhandleGravel.com
10 Long Bridge Half Marathon. Run the scenic shores of Lake Pend Oreille in 5K, 10K and half marathon for all ages and abilities. PriestLakeRace.com
15-17 Lost in the 50's. The 38th annual car show with hundreds of classic rides on display and in parade, plus dance concerts and parties. LostInThe50s.com
June 2025
8-9 Sandpoint Renaissance Faire. Hie thee to the Middle Ages with equestrian thrills, choreographed combat with real weapons, magic, music, dancing, food and more. SandpointRenFaire.com
13 ArtWalk. Pend Oreille Art Council's summerlong art shows kick off with artist receptions at venues around town. ArtInSandpoint.org
13 Schweitzer Summer Opening. Activities
from climbing wall to zip lines to scenic chairlift rides, plus biking and hiking multitudes of trails. Schweitzer.com
14 CHAFE 150. This premier annual event features bike rides of 150, 80, 45 and 25 miles, and a 3-mile family fun; plus gravel rides of 55 or 75 miles. CHAFE150.org
21 Find Your Strength Fun Run. Run/walk 5K or 1K routes along Lake Pend Oreille and Sand Creek, plus an after-party at City Beach. BonnerGeneral.org/Find-Your-Strength 21-22 Race the Wolf. Trail races at Schweitzer offer routes from 5 miles to full marathon, with challenging terrain and elevation gains. RaceTheWolf.com
26 Summer Sampler. Sandpoint's finest restaurants and caterers provide an array of Epicurean delights from talented local chefs, with music and libations in Farmin Park. SandpointChamber.org 28 Monarch Grind. A 70-mile gravel grinder with a whopping 8,200 feet of elevation gain, with start and finish near Clark Fork. PanhandleGravel.com
JuLy 2025
4 Independence Day celebrations. Enjoy a classic parade downtown and fireworks show at City Beach; nearby Hope and Clark Fork also have celebrations.
5 Sandpoint Beerfest. Annual tasting for craft beer aficionados features 20-plus fine beers from regional breweries, at City Beach. SandpointChamber.org
11-13 Sandpoint Pride Festival. Annual event to affirm dignity and equality for all, with singers, artists, drag queens and dancers, at Granary Arts District. Safe-Idaho.org
11 Sandpoint Antique & Classic Boat Show. Beautiful wooden boats dock all down the Sand Creek boardwalk downtown. InlandEmpireACBS.com 19-20 Northwest Wine Fest. Schweitzer's annual summer wine tasting, with chairlift rides, village activities, music and more. Schweitzer.com 24-Aug 3 The Festival at Sandpoint. Premier concert series brings world-renowned musicians for eight mainstage performances under the stars along Lake Pend Oreille. FestivalAtSandpoint.com AuGust 2025
1-2 Bonner County Rodeo. Bull riding, roping, barrel racing and more at the county fairgrounds. BonnerCountyFair.com
2 Long Bridge Swim. A premier 1.76-mile swim for all abilities, with unusually fine views for spectators too. LongBridgeSwim.org
9-10 Arts and Crafts Fair. Dozens of artist booths fill the streets, with sculpture, ceramics, metal, fiber, photography, paintings, woodworks and more. ArtinSandpoint.org
12-16 Bonner County Fair. Farm animals, crafts, community booths, food and entertainment abound at this country fair. Special events include bull riding and a demolition derby. BonnerCountyFair.com
28-30 Artists' Studio Tour. Self-guided driving tour of the working studios of painters, sculptors, photographers and glass artists. ArtInSandpoint.org Aug 29-Sept 1 Fall Fest. Schweitzer closes out the summer with beer tasting, music, chairlift rides and activities. Schweitzer.com
septEmber 2025
8-13 WaCanId Ride. Six-day, 370-mile mile bike tour on the paved roads of the International Selkirk Loop through Washington, Canada and Idaho. WaCanId.org
OcTober 2025
3-26 Scarywood. Silverwood Theme Park transforms for run up to Halloween, with five haunted attractions, seven scare zones, and most of the park's signature rides in the dark. ScarywoodHaunt.com
18 Harvest Fest. Farmers Market closes out the season with entertainment, food, activities and displays at Farmin Park. SandpointFarmersMarket.com
noveMbEr 2025
Schweitzer Opens. It happens during Thanksgiving week most years … but of course, the snow gods have to help! Schweitzer.com
22-30 K&K Fall Fishing Derby. Autumn fishing contest, with prizes and glory for the biggest catches. LPOIC.org
28 Tree Lighting and Santa's Arrival. Tree lighting at Jeff Jones Town Square with a visit from Santa opens the Christmas season. SandpointChamber.org
DeceMbEr 2025
23-24 Ski with Santa. The jolly old gent will be skiing at Schweitzer, with candy and good cheer for good girls and boys of all ages. Schweitzer.com
Festival at Sandpoint
Winter Carnival Keg Pull
Lost in the 50's Fall Fest at Schweitzer
Our mountains have your number. If you're a hiker or mountain biker, come discover the 200-plus trails in the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains that surround Sandpoint.
MouNTaIN biking TrAiLS NTa
MTB Schweitzer Mountain. Schweitzer and the adjacent Little Sand Creek watershed offer terrific mountain biking on more than 40 miles of trails. Many afford outstanding lake views to complement the heartpumping climbs and descents.
MTB Syringa + Pine Street Woods. The Kaniksu Land Trust provides the new Pine Street Woods trail system, and helps maintain oversight for the adjacent Syringa trails, with more than 20 rides ranging from easy to expert... barely two miles from downtown Sandpoint.
MTB Forest Service. There are many excellent single track rides developed on Forest Service trails and maintained with the help of volunteer rider groups. Notable rides are Brush Lake, with a fine moderately easy six-mile loop; Gold Hill, 2.9 miles uphill to a nice viewpoint, and potential connection to additional trails; and Lost LakeMineral Point trails with various loops comprising 10 miles or more in scalable difficulty.
Link up to maps, groups and more on our MTB Page: www.VisitSandpoint.com/mtb
seLect Mtb Lect TrAiLS rAiLS
hiking TrAiLS
There are scores of trails where the best – or only –mode is by foot. Hike to one of dozens of high alpine lakes, explore wildlife-rich estuaries and refuges, scale a mountaintop to get forever views or take a multi-day backpack into pristine roadless areas.
Find trails and info at VisitSandpoint.com/hiking
Hike or bike along the lake on the Pend Oreille Bay Trail
LoDgING
HOTELS AND LODGES
Pend Oreille Shores Resort
reAL ESTaTe / DesiGN / buILDerS
Cabins
pavilion Sandpoint
SandpointIdaho.gov under Parks & Rec, at Sandpoint City Beach
Sagle park-like setting Willow
WillowBayIdaho.com, Large pull-thru sites, sandy beach, restaurant
Sagle, open year-round, tenters welcome
hWy 200 East/hope/cLArk ForK
Sam Owen Campground
Recreation.gov, on Lake Pend Oreille in Hope Lunch Peak Lookout
Whiskey Rock Campground (no
hWy
95 south/saGLE/AthoL/bayvIeW
Farragut State
Green Bay Campground (no fee)
hWy
Albeni
Recreation.gov, rustic forest lookout cabin
On Lake Pend Oreille’s east shore, dock, beach
ReserveAmerica.com, on Lake Pend Oreille, cabins
picnic area, tent sites on Pend Oreille
open year-round in Sagle
shady sites on Pend Oreille River
2 West/LacLEdE/prIest river/prIest Lake/neWpOrT
Bottle Bay Resort
Dining
restAurant ciTy/ArEa
113 Main
Sandpoint
cuISINE
208.946.5309 Steak and Seafood
Barrel 33 Sandpoint 208.920.6258 Small Bites
Bottle Bay Resort & Marina, Seasonal Sagle 208.263.5916
Cabinet Mountain Coffee
Chimney Rock Grill
Schweitzer Mountain 208.263.9555 Coffee and Pastries
Schweitzer Mountain 208.255.3071 Modern American
Connie's Café & Lounge Sandpoint 208.255.2227
Crow's Bench, Seasonal
Evan's Brothers Coffee
Gourmandie
Schweitzer Mountain 208.255.3051 Modern American
Sandpoint 208.265.5553 Coffee, sandwiches
Schweitzer Mountain 208.255.3084 Wine, Specialty Market
Jalapeño’s Mexican Restaurant Sandpoint 208.263.2995
Lakeview Café
Schweitzer Mountain 208.263.9555 Cafeteria Style
Marigold Bistro Sandpoint
Matchwood Brewing Co.
MickDuff’s Brewing Co.
Mojo Coyote Café
Sandpoint 208.718.2739 Pub and Grill
Sandpoint 208.255.4351 Pub Food with Flair
Schweitzer Mountain 208.255.3037 Café
Pandhandle Cone & Coffee Sandpoint 208.265.8996 Coffee& Ice Cream
Pend'dOreille Winery Sandpoint 208.265.8545 Modern Cuisine
Sam’s Alley
Schweitzer Mountain 208.263.9555 Pizza, Sandwiches
Scotchman's Coffee Sandpoint 208.290.0021 Sandwiches, Salads
Smokesmith Bar-B-Que Sandpoint 208.920.0517 Bar-B-Que
Springs Restaurant
Taps Lounge
Schweitzer Mountain 208.263.9555 Pizza, Sandwiches
The District Sandpoint 208.946.7882 American
The Float House, Seasonal Hope 208.920.5027 Steak and Seafood
The Forge Artisan Pizza Sandpoint 208.252.9433 Pizza
The Nest Bar & Restaurant (Sky House) Schweitzer Mountain
The Outback Schweitzer Mountain
Matchwood Brewing
Connie's Cafe & Lounge
Sweet Lou’s Restaurant & Bar
113 Main Barrel 33 Sky House at Schweitzer
The Forge Artisan Pizza
AcTiviTiES
ART / MUSIC EVENTS
Arts & Crafts Fair
Festival at Sandpoint
Panida Theater
The Hive
208.263.6139 Two-day event with over 100 regional artists. ArtinSandpoint.org
208.265.4554 World-class outdoor concert series. FestivalatSandpoint.com
208.263.9191 Historic, community-owned theater in the heart of Sandpoint. Panida.org
208.920.9039 Music venue, live music, events. LiveFromTheHive.com
WATER RECREATION & RV RENTALS / MARINAS
Bottle Bay Resort and Marina
Pend Oreille Shores Resort
Sandpoint Marine & Motorsports
Summer
GOLF COURSES
The Idaho Club
208.263.5916 Gas, moorage, kayak, canoe and paddleboat rentals. BottleBayResort.com
208.264.5828 Kayaks, paddleboards, paddle boats, and canoes. LakePendOreilleResort.com
208.263.1535 Boats, RVs, kayaks, canoes, jet skis and bike rentals. SandpointMarineAndMotorsports.com
208.265.0400 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf course. TheIdahoClub.com
Sandpoint Elks Lodge & Golf Course 208.263.4321 A 9-hole golf course with double tee boxes open to the public. ElksLodgeSandpoint.com
HIKING / MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES / HORSEBACK RIDING
Farragut State Park
Pine Street Woods
Priest Lake Ranger District
Priest Lake State Park
Round Lake State Park
Sandpoint Ranger District
Schweitzer
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
208.683.2425 More than 40 miles of trails to explore. ParksAndRecreation.Idaho.gov
208.263.9471 180 acres of rolling hills, healthy woodlands, and beckoning trails. KaniksuLandTrust.org
208.443.2512 Abundance of trails in the Selkirk Mountains. Fs.usda.gov/ipnf
208.443.2200 Hiking and biking trails, boating and other activities. ParksAndRecreation.Idaho.gov
208.263.3489 Three trails surround 58-acre lake. ParksAndRecreation.Idaho.gov
208.263.5111 75 trails on over 270 miles of developed routes. Fs.usda.gov/ipnf
208.263.9555 Zip line, chairlifts, hiking, mountain biking and more. Schweitzer.com
208.263.9066 Trail rides, lessons and more. WesternPleasureRanch.com
TOURS / CHARTERS / LAKE CRUISES
Albeni Falls Dam Tour
Go Fish Charters
Lake Pend Oreille Cruises
Long Drift Outfitters
208.437.4617
Guided tours of the powerhouse. Nws.usace.army.mil
208.597.5020 Fly-fishing, lake-fishing, family packages and private dock pick-ups. GoFishCharters.org
208.255.5253 Public cruises and private charters available. LakePendOreilleCruises.com
303.917.2822
ICE FISHING & SKATING
The Pond Ice Skating Rink
Round Lake State Park
Sandpoint City Beach/Sand Creek
Guided fly-fishing and float trips along the Kootenai River. LongDriftOutfitters.com
Public ice arena for ice skating, hockey and winter fun for all. SkateThePond.com
208.263.3489 Staff-maintained skating on the lake. ParksAndRecreation.idaho.gov
208.263.3613 Staff-maintained skating downtown. CityofSandpoint.com
SKIING / SNOWBOARDING / SNOWSHOEING / SNOWMOBILING / SLEIGH RIDES
Farragut State Park
208.683.2425 7.5 miles of groomed ski trails. ParksAndRecreation.idaho.gov Pine Street Woods
Priest Lake Husky Tours
Priest Lake Nordic Center
Schweitzer
208.263.9471 180 acres of beckoning trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. KaniksuLandTrust.org
208.964.7615 Sled dog driving experience with daily mountain trail tours. PlHuskies.com
Groomed Nordic trail system. PriestLake.org
208.263.9555 Skiing and snowboarding, tubing,snowshoeing, catskiing and snowmobile tours. Schweitzer.com Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
208.263.9066 Horse-drawn sleigh rides, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. WesternPleasureRanch.com
SOLE 928.351.7653 Intentional experiential education programming throughout the Inland Northwest and beyond! SoleExperiences.org
CASINO
Best Western Kootenai River Inn Casino
MUSEUMS
Bonner County History Museum
208.267.8511 3 casino rooms, one non-smoking, and 500 gaming machines. KootenaiRiverInn.com
208.263.2344
Showcasing history and development of Bonner County. BonnerCountyHistory.org Museum at the Brig
208.683.2425
SCENIC DRIVES
International Selkirk Loop
Pend Oreille National Scenic Byway
SHOPPING / STORES
Artworks Gallery
Year 'round
Sandpoint Shopping District
The Cedar Street Bridge Public Market
Schweitzer Village
Sunshine Goldmine
SPAS / TANNING
Best Western Kootenai River Inn Casino & Spa
Cambium Spa
Sunny Days & Nights Tanning Salon
Wildflower Spa at Seasons
THEATERS
Sandpoint Cinemas
Panida Theater and Little Theater
History of World War II’s Farragut Naval Training Station. ParksAndRecreation.Idaho.gov
888.823.2626 Scenic drive through Idaho, Washington and Canada. SelkirkLoop.org
208.267.0822 33-mile drive through postcard-quality scenery. SelkirkLoop.org
208.263.2642
Sandpoint regional artists cooperative gallery of fine art, ceramics, glass, jewelry and more.
Downtown Sandpoint variety of unique shops. Facebook.com/SandpointShopping
Boutique shops, local artisans, bistro & coffee shops with access to Sand Creek Trail. TheCedarStreetBridge.com
208.263.9555 At Schweitzer Mountain. Fine outdoor clothing and gear, artists studio. Schweitzer.com
208.263.6713
208.267.8511
A family owned and operated fine jeweler and goldsmith. Trusted for over 40 years, they are committed to reliable and conflict-free fair trade gem practices. SunshineGoldmine.com
Fully staffed luxury day spa with a wide variety of treatments. KootenaiRiverInn.com
208.255.3074 Recovery services, cutting-edge therapies and more. Schweitzer.com/things-to-do/spa
208.255.0474 24-hour tanning and red-light therapy in Ponderay. SunnyDaysandNightsTanning.com
208.263.1103
208.215.2060
208.263.9191
Holistic and organic boutique-style spa. TheWildFlowerDaySpa.com
First-run movies on six screens. SandpointCinemas.com
Historic, community-owned theater in the heart of Sandpoint. Panida.org
WINERIES / BREWERIES / PUBS / COFFEE HOUSES
219 Lounge
Barrel 33
Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters & Café
Matchwood Brewing
MickDuff’s Brewing Company
MickDuff’s Beer Hall & Brewery Tasting Room
Pend d’Oreille Winery
Family
208.263.5673
208.920.6258
208.265.5553
208.718.2739
Full-service bar serving award-winning 219er brew, open 365 days a year. On Facebook
Wine, beer and ciders from local vendors as well as small bites. Barrel33Sandpoint.com
Top 3 winner of America's best coffee house. EvansBrothersCoffee.com
Award winning hand-crafted beer, food and live music. MatchwoodBrewing.com
208.255.4351 Brewing ales and root beer and serving pub fare. Mickduffs.com
208.209.6700
208.265.8545
Live music weekends, games and tours available. Mickduffs.com
Tasting room, tours, restaurant, special events, live music. POWine.com
INDOOR + OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
City Parks
Creations for Sandpoint
The Library
7b Lanes
Sandpoint City Beach Park
Schweitzer
208.263.3613
208.255.1782
208.263.6930
208.255.BOWL
208.263.3613
208.263.9555
City parks throughout Sandpoint. SandpointIdaho.gov
Community space for educational art and discovery play located inside the Cedar Street Bridge. CreationsforSandpoint.org
Discovery, connection, and lifelong learning through books and other resources; accepts library cards from around the world. Ebonnerlibrary.org
Family fun center with bowling, arcade, good food and drink, and pool tables! Facebook.com/sandpoint7blanes
Sandpoint's 22-acre premier park for swimming, picnics, beach volleyball and more! SandpointIdaho.gov
Seasonal family fun with snow sports, hiking, biking, zip-lining, and festivals. Schweitzer.com
Lake Pend Oreille Cruises
The Historic Panida Theater The Hive
City MAP
14 208.263.2161 | www.VisitSandpoint.com
208.263.2161 | www.VisitSandpoint.com
Oreille Transit, known as the SPOT bus, is a free transit system that services Sandpoint, Dover and Ponderay. Buses circle the route once each hour going north or south, and the stops are marked with the SPOT bus sign. During ski season catch a connector to the Schweitzer shuttle. www.SpotBus.org • 208-263-3774
Sandpoint, Idaho Visitor Guide is a publication of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, and produced by Keokee media + marketing in Sandpoint. Cover photos by Woods Wheatcroft, Doug Marshall and courtesy photo from Schweitzer. Other inside photos by Bradford Benoit, Patrick Orton, Doug Marshall, Woods Wheatcroft, Amy Peterson, Marie DominiqeVerdier, courtesy photos
Schweitzer Mountain Resort and Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce members.
LAKE PEND OREILLE
DRIVE TIMES
Calgary, AB 7 hours
Creston, B.C. 1 hour
Glacier Park 4.5 hours
Missoula, MT 3.5 hours
Nelson, B.C. 2.5 hours
Portland, OR 7 hours
Priest Lake, ID 1 hour
Seattle, WA 7 hours
Spokane, WA 1.5 hours
Tri-Cities, WA 3.75 hours
Pend Oreille (pronounced pon-duh-ray) is French for “ear pendant” and was probably named by French Canadian fur traders.
ALL THE THINGS we do
in winter too!
Winter excitement abounds in our world-class vacation destination. Enjoy a full complement of thrilling activities from skiing to snowmobiling, ice skating, tubing, snowshoeing, and so much more. Then relax and cozy up in our great lodging, restaurants, and pubs. We can’t wait to welcome you. Scan below to plan your adventure now!
