 Community
Bonners Ferry
Nestled in the northern panhandle of Idaho, the Ridge at Paradise Valley is near the towns of Bonners Ferry to the North and Sandpoint to the South. The county seat of Boundary County, Bonners Ferry is closest to Paradise Valley. Set along the banks of the Kootenai River, it serves as an economic and social hub. Known as the gateway to northern Idaho, Bonners Ferry was named “Idaho's Most Friendly Town” at the 2003 Idaho Governor's Conference on Recreation & Tourism. With a population of about 2,600, the city is the center of a county rich in forest and farmland that lies along the Canadian border. Surrounded by three mountain ranges, Bonners Ferry is a scenic town that is the heart of a true sportsman’s paradise – where there are lakes, rivers and forests abundant in wildlife. The Kootenai Tribe makes it home here and is the owner of the Kootenai River Inn Casino and Spa, a major tourist destination downtown on the waterfront. Just a few miles west of town is the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, 2,774 acres of prime wetlands, meadows and forests.
Activities/Amenities
Water sports
Because northern Idaho's landscape is richly blessed with pristine lakes and rivers, the area is truly a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Boundary County holds stretches of the Moyie River – perfectly suited for whitewater rafting – and the Kootenai River – ideal for recreation rafting and power boating, even as far as the Canadian border. A number of smaller lakes with scenic shorelines are explorable by kayak or small motorized boats, such as Robinson, Smith and Brush lakes, are also found in Boundary County. South of Paradise Valley in Bonner County, you'll find Lake Pend Oreille – Idaho's largest and deepest lake – and Priest Lake. Both are large enough for day-long cruising, yet quiet enough for scenic paddling excursions. Guided kayak tours and boat rentals are available on both Pend Oreille and Priest lakes, and Pend Oreille has regularly scheduled lake cruises and jet boat tours. The Pack River and Priest River also contain challenging whitewater stretches and leisurely spots for floating.
Fishing and hunting
Boundary County is a land of abundant fish and wildlife, where hunters can search for big game and waterfowl, and fishermen can seek a large variety of warm water and cold water species. The county contains more than 400,000 acres of National Forest lands where elk, deer and bear roam, as well as the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge, where thousands of migrating birds pass through.
Skiing and snowboarding
Cross-country and backcountry skiers seemingly have a whole world of snow open to them in the surrounding mountain ranges in Boundary County. And Schweitzer Mountain Resort in nearby Sandpoint has 2,900 acres of terrain for skiing and snowboarding, plus several kilometers of groomed Nordic skiing and snowshoeing trails. Plus, three nearby state parks have groomed trails, including Round Lake, Farragut and Priest Lake.
Hiking
View the area's spectacular scenery by foot on hundreds of miles of trails found in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and at three state parks in the immediate area. Hikers can choose from easy walks on well-maintained trails to challenging treks in the wilderness. Boundary County alone has more than 300 miles of trails on National Forest lands. In addition, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge has fantastic trails that lead to waterfalls, ponds and around wetlands. Two great hiking guides are available for the Cabinet Mountain and Selkirk Mountain ranges.
Golfing
Besides Mirror Lake Golf Course, a beautiful nine-holer found on the edge of Bonners Ferry, there are five other courses for duffers to explore within easy reach of Paradise Valley. See a list of the courses and their amenities by clicking here.
Biking
From paved trails to challenging single-track trails, bicyclists can find trails to suit them throughout northern Idaho. Both Bonner and Boundary counties hold countless miles of trails and old Forest Service roads that lend themselves well to mountain biking. Based around Sandpoint, a paved network of trails connects the town to smaller communities, thanks to an ongoing effort by North Idaho Bikeways. The two great hiking guides for the Cabinet Mountain and Selkirk Mountain ranges also include information on what trails are good biking material.
Wildlife
For a chance to see some of the wildlife that inhabit northern Idaho, try visiting the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, where more than 300 species have been documented. Of course, wildlife may be found in the area's national forest lands, state parks and other public lands – or in your own back yard. You might expect to see white-tailed deer, moose, elk and bear, as well as coyotes and the elusive mountain lion. At the Sandpoint Waterlife Discovery Center on the Pend Oreille River, check out the interpretive trails and self-guided tours of fish habitat.
Camping
With so many natural areas and public lands, northern Idaho has an abundance of camping opportunities, from well-developed public campgrounds to remote sites and lookouts. Check these listings for public campgrounds in the Sandpoint, Priest Lake and Bonners Ferry areas. In addition, the area has a number of commercial campgrounds for tents and RVs. Twin Rivers Canyon Resort at the confluence of the Moyie and Kootenai rivers in Boundary County has been recognized as one of the country's top RV parks. For more options, check the Sandpoint Super Directory.
Horseback riding
Trails suitable for horseback riding can be found on public lands throughout northern Idaho. Check with local ranger districts for trail suggestions and printed guides; see the Idaho Panhandle National Forest Web site for a list of ranger district offices. For guided horseback rides, check out Western Pleasure Guest Ranch on Upper Gold Creek Road in Sandpoint for group rides on rural trails; Mountain Horse Adventures for scenic trail rides at Schweitzer Mountain Resort; or Stillwater Ranch (phone 208-263-0077) in Sagle on Dufort Road for hay rides.
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“Bonners Ferry touted as Idaho’s Most Friendly Town”
—Hagadone News Network, 2003
“Snowy Northwest a skier's delight”—Associated Press, Jan., 2007
“It might sound like the middle of nowhere, but this funky community in the Idaho Panhandle pretty much has it all.”
—Business Week July, 2006
Sandpoint is “The Cool Northwest’s Hot Property”
—Outside Magazine, August, 2004 |
