Spring & Summer Sandpoint Recreation Guide
Sandpoint Activities and Attractions for our warm season

Hiking and biking are on the minds of many in North Idaho as the winter blues give way to spring fun. As we have blogged about, two of our favs are Scotchman Peaks and the Roman Nose, but there are many, many more. Learn all about Hiking and Biking in North Idaho here.

Lost in the 50's begins May 19th, but other great events pepper the disappearance of snow. Sandpoint Farmers Market begins on May 7th and Bonners Ferry Farmers Market kicks off its season on May 14th. The Inland Northwest's best theme park has a great event. Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park, south of Sandpoint on Highway 95, celebrates its anniversary (the park opened in 1988) with admission for all ages at just $19.88 each day. The same rate applies on Mother's Day weekend May 7th and 8th.

With the winter run-off, whitewater is one of the great adventures in Idaho. While Hells Canyon is famed, right to the north of Bonners Ferry is a great find, as Row Adventures points out: Moyie River - Idaho's Hidden Whitewater Rafting Jewel.

While Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort and winter sports and carnivals peppers snow season in Sandpoint, Lake Pend Oreille is the central figure of life in Sandpoint. Water sports and activities is the lifeblood of Sandpoint, but the events and festivals enhance the pastoral feel of North Idaho. The events are varied and wonderful: Lost in the 50's kicks off the season with it's tribute to rock n' roll featuring dances and big name acts, plus a grand vintage car parade and show. Follow that with the Wooden Boat Show, ArtWalk, Festival at Sandpoint, Dover Days, fairs, more art events, horse shows, Summer Sampler, community festivals, and every town patriotically puts on great fireworks displays for the 4th of July. You would expect to see county fairs and rodeos, and several special events take place every year. For instance, Bayview celebrated their Centennial last year. See the Calendar of Events for everything happening this season in Sandpoint.

Summer 2010 was economically draining, but Sandpoint was a blast. While other towns and areas discontinued their concerts and cut back on events, Sandpoint had a banner year. There was so much to do and the fun seemed to never end.

Every day there are concerts at venues like Panida and the out in Dover Bay, and live music fills the outdoors with open air musical performances, such as Summer Sounds at Park Place. Lots of area restaurants, galleries, and pubs also have live music. While we are known as an art town, with over 600 area artists, the shear number of musicians performing is impressive.

Much of this sounds as urbane as any cosmopolitan community, but outdoors activities rules. A few years back the NORBA Nationals were held on Schweitzer Mountain, and now, with races like the ChAFE 150, bike racing rules. Mountain biking is becoming a favored sport, but rough riding is partnered with hundreds of miles of good roads, gentle trails, and paved paths make street cycling enticing. With dozens and dozens of airfields, sky diving and aviation sports are also becoming popular. With so many mountains, hiking and rock climbing are two other uses of our stunning topography.

Even with the vast number of other things to do, fun on the water is our top draw. Lake Pend Oreille offers water skiing, wind surfing, sailing and racing, world-class fishing, scuba diving, and boating at high speed or just lazing on the water. While Lake Pend Oreille, with 148 square miles and 111 miles of coastline offers much of what we do on the water, such a vast lake has to fed by other sources. The many rivers, creeks, and tributaries means that one can find placid river waters to ski on, such as offered on the Clark Fork or Pend Oreille Rivers, and white water rafting and kayaking on many others. Even if you don't want to partake in lake or river activities, it sure is nice to have them in your view as you do whatever else you choose.

To be sure, Sandpoint ain't the only game in town. Priest River has Timber Days, Hayden, Rathdrum, Bonners Ferry, and Coeur d'Alene have more going on than anyone can put to pen, and if you haven't experienced the beauty of Priest Lake or the Roman Nose, or hiked Scotchman Peak, you are missing some of life's most memorable pleasures. We are very intertwined with Hope, Idaho, and many who visit don't get the true picture of the place. There is lots to do there, plus their own dining experience. There are several new restaurants that recently opened there. (Things to visit in Hope, Idaho)

North Idaho offers tons of summer fun. Here are some pictures of past years of good times:

4th of July at Sandpoint City Beach

Visit Bonner Healing Garden during the spring rush to bloom

Lost in the 50's

Take a walk at Sandpoint City Beach

Sail Lake Pend Oreille

Enjoy Sandpoint Farmers Market