Sandpoint, Idaho: Your Next Great Outdoor Adventure Awaits

Located just 60 miles from the Canadian border, Sandpoint, Idaho, is a destination worthy of aviators’ praise. No matter the time of year that you visit the lakeside mountain town of less than 10,000 residents, there is something noteworthy to do outdoors. 

The town’s most acclaimed feature is the nearly 150-square-mile body of water, Lake Pend Oreille, which is in view of three mountain ranges. The lake bottoms out at 1,158 feet, and a handful of its surrounding peaks rise as high as 7,000 feet. These varied geographic formations are the reason why the area is so highly regarded for hiking, boating, fishing, skiing, and more. 

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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The biggest commercial draw to the area is Schweitzer Mountain Resort, which boasts 2,900 acres of skiable area and hosts many activities throughout the year. The winter season typically begins in November and ends in April, at which point much of this land is used for alternative purposes, including hiking and mountain biking. The resort’s winding trails boast significant elevation gains, as well as unforgettable views.

Arguably the best way to see this picturesque scenery is from a chairlift, a speedily ascending system that travels upward 1,700 feet. It is reported that you can see three states and even Canada from atop this mountain peak. 

Early fall is a great time to visit Sandpoint—not that there is ever a wrong choice when adding the northern Idaho Panhandle city to your vacation calendar. As summer comes to an end, a popular activity for visitors and locals alike is experiencing the changing scenery from a roadway or hiking trail. There are a multitude of hiking options to choose from, whether you want a brisk jaunt with the richly colored leaves as a background or a calm stroll where they are the main attraction. 

When you are ready to wind down at day’s end, there are numerous bars and restaurants. There is also a selection of arts and culture entertainment options, including the historic Panida Theater, where crowds have been entertained since 1927.  

Flying In

Sandpoint is one of those places where you will have as fond of memories from flying in as you do from your adventures on the ground. Flying in Idaho is truly a special experience and one that every aviator should add to their bucket list.

Much of that has to do with the state’s significant backcountry aviation network. There are dozens of publicly available airstrips across the Gem State, which welcome greenhorns to experienced backcountry pilots alike. Some of the more notable field landing choices that are a short flight from Sandpoint are Cavanaugh Bay Airport (66S), Johnson Creek Airport (3U2), and Big Creek Airport (U60). 

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Regardless of a strip’s difficulty level, one thing is almost always true—conservation and appreciation for nature is a central aspect for that runway.

Whether there is a campsite nearby, or a stream teeming with trout, exploring the Idaho backcountry via aircraft is a special way to appreciate the largely untouched wilderness. This is recognized by many passionate aviators, and there are a handful of groups that seek to preserve and highlight these opportunities for fellow pilots around the world. One of these is the Idaho Aviation Association, which among other things, provides a selection of resources to introduce pilots to backcountry flying opportunities within the state. 

If you are wanting to only bring your wheels down on pavement, Idaho still is a place to write home about. The views are similarly stunning from the air, and there are a number of other noteworthy destinations en route to Sandpoint. Spokane, Washington, is located about 56 nm to the southwest of town. It and nearby Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, are both great places to check out, especially if wanting a more populous stopover with a greater variety of shops, dining establishments, and cultural activity. 

There are many other interesting places to visit, or see from the air, north of Sandpoint. This list includes the small town of Bonner’s Ferry, which is only about half an hour drive away. One of the highlights there is the approximately 3,000-acre Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, where you can see bears, moose, deer, and more in a natural setting. There are also many unique Canadian destinations in southern Alberta and British Columbia to consider if you opt to visit either of those provinces. 

Regardless of where you are coming from en route to Sandpoint, nature is omnipresent. With roughly 40 percent of the state covered in forest, the vibrant foliage will be a remarkable wing view. The varied elevation, terrain, and tree types ensure that there is a range of colors outside the cockpit worthy of a picture. Of course, this imagery will be punctuated by the state’s largest lake, which is in very close proximity to Sandpoint Airport (KSZT).  

The Airport

Sandpoint Airport is the closest option to all of the city’s attractions and is a point of interest itself. It has been around since 1940, at which time it was a humble gravel airstrip.

The publicly owned airport sits at an elevation of 2,131 feet msl and has one paved runway that’s 5,501 feet long by 75 feet wide. The untowered facility has a sole FBO, Granite Aviation, which offers both 100LL and jet-A fuel. Overnight hangars and tie-down spaces are available for short-term use, and rental cars are available on-site. 

Sandpoint Airport offers a surprising array of businesses for an aerodrome of its size. With over 800 employees stated to be employed between the businesses based there, the airport is a significant economic engine within Bonner County and northern Idaho. 

The most prominent company driving this impact is Daher, which acquired Quest Aircraft in 2019. The Kodiak 100’s original designer and manufacturer had been based at Sandpoint throughout its history. The facility there currently produces the 100 Series III and the company’s newest turboprop investment, the Kodiak 900. While tours of the campus are not publicly available, you will catch glimpses of these aircraft in their birthplace before heading off to new homes around the world. 

Moving from fixed-wing aircraft to rotor wings, Timberline Helicopters is another field-based company sporting a global impact. The company’s roots are in aerial logging but have grown to become a global provider of utility and emergency support. The unique mission of the company includes firefighting, powerline construction and maintenance, ski lift construction, heavy lift, and more, all aided by a fleet of Kaman K-1200 K-Max and UH-60A+ Black Hawk helicopters. The company also has a Part 145 repair station, as well as an upgrade and modification service component. 

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Tamarack Aerospace Group’s active winglet products can be seen on business, commercial, and military aircraft. This SmartWing technology is stated to positively impact aircraft performance, efficiency, and sustainability. Many of the company’s aftermarket modifications are completed at its Idaho facility, with the King Air 200 and 350 and most models in the Citation 525 series having approved installations.

The airport is also home to a residential fly-in community, SilverWing at Sandpoint. Designed for pilots, by pilots, the 18.3-acre luxury development will feature up to 44 custom-built hangar homes. The first row of completed construction is just south of the Daher facility, which is located roughly midfield of the airport’s sole runway. 

Things to Do/Events

Hiking and Mountain Scenery

When visiting Sandpoint, outdoor recreation is easily accessible. There is a paved bike trail with an access point at the airport. Bikes are available seasonally at Granite Aviation, and downtown and the shore of Lake Pend Oreille are both a short ride away. 

Sandpoint is bordered by three mountain ranges, the Bitterroot, Cabinet, and Selkirk, all of which have hiking and biking trails of their own. In total, there are more than 200 trails within an hour of Sandpoint. Popular choices with significant elevation gains include Maiden Rock Trail (2 miles long), Mickinnick Trail (3½), and Scotchman Peak Trail (5).

There are lots of flat courses as well, with Farragut State Park having more than 9 miles of easier terrain to traverse. Long Bridge Trail is another great choice for a calmer jaunt and is a multimile-long straightaway that crosses Lake Pend Oreille. 

Opened in 1939, Schweitzer Mountain Resort has long been a celebrated spot for confined expeditions. Skiing and snowboarding are top activities during the winter and additional unmarked trails are unlocked via snowmobile and snowcat, a 12-person tracked vehicle). The resort highlights that there are over 30 multiuse trails and 16 marked downhill mountain biking paths during the warmer months. Think of these downhill options like you would when on skis. Do you want to ride the bunny hills, or test your skills out on a black diamond? 

Enjoying nature from the blacktop is another popular choice, and there are a handful of recommended routes to consider driving. One of these is the Pend Oreille River Scenic Byway, which winds around the northernmost portion of the lake—ultimately to the western border of Montana. This route is roughly 30 miles long and another option of similar length is the Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway. If you are looking for a lengthier option, consider the 280-mile International Selkirk Loop. This route takes you to both Washington state and British Columbia, Canada, with Sandpoint being one of the loop’s southernmost points of interest.

Activities at the Lakes

There are two major lakes in the near vicinity of Sandpoint, Lake Pend Oreille and Priest Lake. Both are known for their many recreational offerings, including motorboating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming. There are several boat and jet ski rental outfits at the lake, as well as fishing charter companies. 

The lake’s mix of deep and shallow water mean that there are a variety of fish, with some of the more popular species being bass, trout, salmon, walleye, and pike. Early fall is a great time to cast a line, as the falling temperatures equate to an increase in fish activity. 

A unique way of enjoying the rich blue water is through a cruise aboard a 1966-built vessel, the Shawnodese. The boat cruises around the lake at a leisurely 7 knots, and there are various public and private charter options. 

And you often won’t see them, but there is a chance of a pressurized vessel being underneath you during your time there. Due to its depth, the U.S. Navy has historically conducted submarine technology research efforts there. 

Soaking up the sun while on a boat is a preferred option for many, but if you don’t want to pursue that option when in Sandpoint, there are numerous suitable places to set up and relax. A favorite is the 22-acre City Beach, which sits directly on the shore of the lake. The site could be described as a tropical mountain oasis, due to its clear water and sandy beach backdropped by stunning alpine views. 

Enjoying the Water Via Air

Sandpoint Airport serves as a gateway to many other exciting aviation opportunities, including seaplane flying. 

Much of this activity takes place at Lake Pend Oreille, which is where Sandpoint Seaplane is based. Flights originate at Dover Bay Marina, and tours in its Cessna 206 start at 30 minutes long. 

A hotbed for seaplane traffic is Priest Lake, which is about an hour northwest of downtown Sandpoint. There are several options to choose from if you are flying your own aircraft on floats. 

One of these is Tanglefoot Seaplane Base (D28), which features a lane that is 10,000 feet long by 2,000 feet wide where a wide variety of aircraft frequently land, from Piper Cubs to Grumman Goose. 

Cavanaugh’s is a fly-in restaurant on Priest Lake. If coming by water, it’s a short walk to your table once docked. Similarly, landing on the 3,100-foot-long-by-120-foot-wide turf runway at Cavanaugh Bay Airport (66S) is a convenient way to visit northern Idaho’s only restaurant that’s accessible via aircraft. The outdoor tables overlook the pristine waters of the lake and are a great place to enjoy a glass of wine, cocktail, or locally-sourced special. Favorites include the huckleberry churros and huckleberry chops. 

Take It Easy Downtown

The charming downtown area of Sandpoint is a great place to start your day or unwind after enjoying the area’s unparalleled beauty. There are a selection of restaurants, breweries, bars, and coffee shops, some with views of the mountain ranges. 

One of the more notable stops is Cedar Street Bridge Public Market. Built in the late 19th century, the site was originally a footbridge that spanned across Sand Creek. Here, you can find shops that sell candy, Christmas products, flowers, women’s fashion, jewelry, and more. There is also an arcade, as well as several art studios that offer painting and ceramics classes. 

There is also a pop-up Farmer’s Market each Wednesday and Saturday through October at Farmin Park. It’s a great place to pick up local keepsakes and ingredients to bring back home, including huckleberry, a tangy and sweet berry that is predominantly grown in the Pacific Northwest.

Once you have stocked up on treats, head over to the Panida Theater. The arts and entertainment center is a few years shy of its 100th birthday and screens movies, as well as hosts improv, music, and other live performances. 

About a mile from the theater is the Bonner County Historical Museum, where you can become better acquainted with the yesteryear of “Sand Point,” as it was once known. The site has artifacts from the pioneering days of town, even prior to its incorporation in 1898. 

This feature first appeared in the September Issue 962 of the FLYING print edition.