Vacation Rentals in Sandpoint, Idaho

Prior to officially becoming a village in 1901 and then a city in 1907, Sandpoint was part of the Native American Kalispel Tribe’s home. Their ancestral lands spanned across the Pend Oreille and Priest Lake, as far east as Montana, and up the Pend Oreille River into the country of Canada.  

David Thompson, fur trader, cartographer, and explorer, mentioned in his journal in 1809 “a point of sand.” This is how Sandpoint got its name eventually. The first general store was opened in the settlement in 1880 by Robert Weeks. 

It is home to the headquarters of Quest Aircraft, a utility aircraft maker, and Litehouse Foods, a salad dressing manufacturer. Sandpoint is situated on the shores of the largest lake in Idaho, Lake Pend Oreille, which is 43 miles long, and is surrounded by three mountain ranges, the Bitterroot, Cabinet, and Selkirk ranges.

Hike Scotchman’s Peak

This is the Sandpoint area’s most peak-bagging, iconic hike. The 8+ mile hike round trip reaches a 3700-foot elevation with spectacular views of Lake Pend Oreille and the Selkirk Mountains. The summit is 7,009 feet, which is the highest point in Bonner County. To reach the trailhead, get on Highway 200 (which is east of Sandpoint). Turn north in downtown Clark Fork at the Chevron Station. Drive past the school and then continue driving up Mosquito Creek Road #276 until you reach the Road #2295 junction. Turn right and then drive a little more than a mile. Watch for Trail #65 signs. Turn left at road 2294. Next, turn left on 2294A. Follow it for a bit over one mile to the point where the road comes to an end on the trailhead.  

Cedar Street Bridge Public Market

This is a thriving public market with its local artisans, numerous boutique shops, toy stores, children’s treehouse, and bistro. It provides access to both Sandpoint City Beach and Sand Creek Trail. There is something there for everyone in your whole family. 

Go for a walk on Sandpoint Long Bridge 

This two-mile-long driving and walking bridge is located on Sandpoint’s south end. Entering Sandpoint via Highway 95 from the south takes you across one the most beautiful and unique town entrances ever seen. This walking bridge gives you the chance to experience this in slow motion while you are walking the two-mile bridge separating Pend Oreille River from Lake Pend Oreille. 

Shop in downtown Sandpoint 

The friendly atmosphere, delicious restaurants, and quaint stores make this a fabulous outing. Make sure you visit the Pandhandle Cone and Coffee and try one of their house-made, unique ice creams that are made with regional and local ingredients. 

Schweitzer

Situated in northern Idaho panhandle’s Selkirk Mountains, and just 80 miles away from Spokane, Washington,  Schweitzer overlooks Sandpoint, Idaho, and provides spectacular views of Lake Pend Oreille, Canada, and three states. 

Silverwood Theme Park

This amusement park is located in northern Idaho in Athol, near Coeur d’Alene, around 34 miles away from Sandpoint, Idaho. 

The summers in Sandpoint, Idaho are mostly clear, dry, and warm, while the winters are mostly cloudy and cold. Winter is an excellent time for winter sports fans to visit. The temperature over the course of the year tends to vary from 24°F up to 86°F and rarely rises above 95°F or below 9°F.  For warm-weather activities, the best time of the year for visiting Sandpoint is early June through mid-August. 

Sandpoint City Beach

City Beach is the crown jewel of the great parks system in Sandpoint. It is next to downtown and features 6 acres worth of sandy beaches, lawns, grass, and developed recreation for picnicking, volleyball, tennis, boating, swimming, and much more. There are two marinas – The Windbag and Sandpoint Marina – straddling the public docks at City Beach and provide added boat slip moorings for sailboats and powerboats. Sandpoint Marina has gas available, located at the Old Power House building on Sand Creek at the mouth. The Windbag Marina is located north of the beach. It caters to windsurfers and sailors and features a rock jetty which is a great place to go fishing for bass. Sandpoint’s center is just two blocks away over Sand Creek across the bridge where there are many fine restaurants, Cedar Street Bridge, the Panida Theatre, art galleries, inns, and shops.   

McKinnick Trail

This 3.5-mile trail (one-way) features switchbacks through its 160 acres of old-growth timber, grassy meadows, and a massive rock outcropping. It also provides amazing vistas of the Pend Oreille River, the Cabinet Mountains, Sandpoint, and Lake Pend Oreille. The top reaches a 4300-foot elevation for a total gain in elevation of 2150 feet. In 1997 Nicky Pleass donated the land to the U.S Forest Service in Mck Pleass’s memory, her late husband. Both Nicky and Mick imagined a scenic trail directly over Sandpoint, Idaho. The couple wanted to give the scenic land to the community as a gift and preserve it for future generations. The trail was first opened in 2005 thanks to grants as well as partnerships between The Friends of Mickinnick Trail, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bonner County, the City of Sandpoint, and the Idaho Panhandle Resource Advisory Committee.  

Mineral Point Trail 82

This 4.3-mile back and out trail is located close to Sagle, Idaho, and features a lake. It is a moderate-rated trail and is mainly used for mountain biking and hiking. The trails can also be used by dogs. 

Moon Time

Two friends during the summer of 1995 made the decision to start their own restaurant. A year later Moon Time was opened by Brad Fosseen and John Grollmus. It was based on a simple concept of creativity. Their delicious food is combined with a broad selection of microbrews all within a comfortable atmosphere. It was based on the concept of a traditional English public house and soon became a favorite in Coeur d’Alene. 

Capone’s Pub and Grill

This isn’t a place about dusting off old pick-up lines or making the status quo happy. It is all about watching games, hanging out with your friends, and enjoying a great meal and fabulous drinks. Good times are waiting for you! 

Daft Badger Brewing

This neighborhood 10 barrel brewpub is fully committed to meticulously brewed Northwest-style beers and outstanding food. 

Radicci

This family-owned Italian Restaurant is located in Hayden. It serves sandwiches, pizzas, and pasta. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a freshly-cooked meal!

Baxters On Cedar

This upscale pub serves American cuisine. From fresh wild halibut to local farm salads and half-pound burgers. The freshest local ingredients are used whenever possible. 

Hydra Steakhouse & Lounge

The region of Northern Idaho is renowned for its numerous treasures such as Schweitzer Mountain Resort and Lake Pend Oreille. However, another hidden gem awaits your discovery. The Hydra Steakhouse is located in the beautiful city of Sandpoint, Idaho, and provides a top-rated dining experience. It serves fresh seafood, sizzling steaks and offers a huge salad bar. It is the premier dining experience for both dinner and lunch in North Idaho. The Hydra Steakhouse is conveniently located within walking distance of Sandpoint’s major boat marinas. It’s ideal for re-energizing and refueling after a day spent on the ski runs or the lake. They are happy to accommodate groups for a relaxed dining experience that everyone will enjoy. 

MickDuff’s Brewing Company

This brewery was established in 2006 in Sandpoint, Idaho by two brothers named Duffy and Mickey Mahoney. The idea for starting this kind of place came from the fondness the brothers have for hand-crafted beers and wanting to live in a year-round vacation location. It resulted in a Brewpub and family-friendly restaurant on First Ave. Their production facility on Cedar Street around the corner now includes a Beer Hall & Brewery Tasting Room. 

Spuds Waterfront Grill

One thing Spuds is definitely known for is being fresh in the sense that everything is made from scratch, from chutneys to sauces and dressings to amazing desserts and elaborate soups. Spuds also feature a fresh classic menu that is continuously reinspired by seasonal ingredients, regional styles, and worldly flavors.  The sophisticated touch of the best restaurants in the West can be found here along with small-town North Idaho’s casual comforts. Situated in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho, the reputation of Spuds extends beyond Lake Pend Oreille’s shores as an outstanding restaurant for both travelers and locals.