Sandpoint Area Amenities

Sandpoint is truly a unique town. Nestled between the base of the Selkirk Mountains and the shore of Lake Pend Oreille, this small city offers amenities normally found only in communities many times its size.

For years a closely guarded secret, Sandpoint's charms have recently been discovered by the outside world. Outside Magazine recently named Sandpoint as one of “Outside's Best”, while Sunset Magazine calls it “The Best Small Town in the West”. As you peruse the information below, you’ll understand what all the excitement is about.

Skiing and Winter Sports

With a true four-season climate, and Schweitzer Mountain just outside town, Sandpoint is a fantastic place for the winter sports entusiast. And for those of us to whom downhill or cross country skiing seems a bit more work than we’d like, there’s always the possibility of a sleigh ride from Western Pleasure Guest Ranch.

Food and Drink

The Sandpoint area is blessed with many fine restaurants - a much larger number, and much higher quality, than in most areas of similar size. In fact, according to the article in Outside Magazine, a standing joke in Spokane — a city of almost 200,000 about 75 miles to the southwest — goes something like this: “Where’s the best place to eat in Spokane? In Sandpoint”. There is an up to date restaurant listing at Sandpoint Online.

The Festival at Sandpoint

Harking back to a more relaxed era, the Festival at Sandpoint has been providing an unequaled out door concert experience since 1983. The individual acts are quite varied, so there’s something for any taste, and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. Seating is “on-the-grass” and concert goers are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets, blankets, and chairs. For out-of-town visitors for whom preparing a gourmet picnic might be difficult, local restaurants provide a fantastic array of food, beer, and wine.

The Arts

Over the years, the Sandpoint area’s tranquil beauty has attracted hundreds of artists. Beginning with the now-iconic regional photographer Ross Hall in the 1930's, the tradition continues with the Pend Oreille Arts Council and the Artist’s Studio Tours, as well as a healthy number of Art Galleries.

Golf

The Sandpoint area has no fewer than six golf courses. The Elks Club Golf Course is right on the outskirts of town, while the famous Hidden Lakes course, which is one of the best courses in the Pacific Northwest, is just a few scenic miles to the east.

Fishing

Lake Pend Oreille is the nation’s fifth deepest lake (1,158 feet at its deepest), and boasts over 100 miles of scenic shoreline. Its also a world class fishery, with the world record for a rainbow trout, a 37 pound giant caught by Wes Hamlet in 1947. For a real treat, try a fishing charter on the lake where 25# rainbow trout are a regular occurrence. Of course, on a lake this fantastic, there has to be more than one good charter service!

The Literary Scene

Sandpoint has been the home of a diverse collection of writers over the years — ranging from Marilynne Robinson, who recently won the Pulitzer Prize for her book Gilead, and Sandy Compton, who writes local color stories, to Peter Fenton, who writes about subjects such as Tibetan Medicine. A recent addition to the scene is the “Open Mic” at one of Sandpoint’s newer restaurants, The Downtown Crossing. If literature is your thing, you’ll definitely be interested in this article from Sandpoint Magazine.