Lake Pend Oreille gives Bonner County a distinctive landmark: the county lies along its shores, Schweitzer Bowl offers a view of the lake, and the Pend Oreille Scenic Byway runs along its rocky north shore. The shoreline, viewpoint, and road route thus offer different perspectives.

Trails and Outdoor Activities

The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway begins north of Sandpoint on U.S. 95 and follows Idaho Highway 200 to the Montana state line. With these endpoints and its route along the rocky north shore, the route is easy to place.

Bonner County has more than 300 miles of snowmobile trails connected to a statewide trail network. Schweitzer has 2,900 acres of ski terrain; it also offers more than 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, with alpine scenery and sweeping views. These activities offer different focuses: snowmobile trails, ski terrain, and alpine hiking or mountain biking trails each provide a distinct option to suit your interests.

Farragut State Park offers another clearly defined activity: it has five disc golf courses, each with 18 holes. The number of courses and holes makes the offering easy to describe without equating it with the extensive trail networks or ski terrain.

By the Water and in Nature

Kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding are possible on Sand Creek. Albeni Cove has a boat launch and a swimming beach. These are two distinct water-based offerings: paddling on the creek and the facilities at the cove.

The Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area in Bonner County consists of 25 separate parcels ranging in size from two to 1,729 acres. It provides habitat for waterfowl that stop there during migration or spend the winter there. The parcels’ separate layout and sizes, from two to 1,729 acres, give the area a different structure from a single, contiguous landscape feature.

One such distinctive feature is Scotchman Peak: the Scotchman Peak Trail leads to the summit, the highest point in Bonner County at 6,872 feet. This provides a clear elevation marker for understanding the county’s natural landscape.

History and Regional Collections

The Albeni Falls Visitor Center has exhibits about the history of the dam and the area’s natural features. Both topics are presented side by side: the construction and history of the dam on one hand, and the surrounding nature on the other.

The Bonner County Historical Society & Museum is located in Lakeview Park and offers a view of Lake Pend Oreille. Its railroad collection includes objects, archival documents, and photographs related to Bonner County. A visit can thus lead from a view of the lake to a collection that explores railroad history through different types of materials.

As you explore Bonner County according to your own interests, you can turn to different questions: Are you looking for a view of the lake, interested in trails and outdoor activities, or hoping to learn more about nature and regional history? The places and offerings mentioned provide a concrete point of reference for each of these interests.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sandpoint, Ponderay, Blanchard, Sagle, Athol, Priest River, Hope, Coolin.

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