7 Sweet Scenic Snowmobiling Destinations in Idaho
Where do you go snowmobiling in Idaho?
It's finally winter and the snow is here! Let's get out there and braaap!
7 Places to Snowmobile in Idaho
1. Island Park
Let's start with a popular one. The large and beautiful area of Island Park is one of the most well known places to enjoy nature in almost every aspect. It's known for its great fishing and camping during the summer, but also the vast opportunities for snowmobiling in the winter. Families love to visit Island Park just to get away from busy work and school schedules. Sometimes you just need a weekend in the mountains to breath fresh air and relax. There is something for every age group in Island Park.
Just because it's popular does not mean you can't find your own corner of the world. With over 950 miles of groomed trails, powdery snow, straightaways, and thick backwoods you’ll have no trouble finding your own secluded spot.
Fremont county shows you a map highlighting trails around the area on their website. The map requires Flash to display, so if you're on a mobile phone, here's a link to a PDF map.
2. Bear Lake Valley
Bear Lake is always a favorite for local snowmobilers because they have over 350 miles of groomed trails with zero fences and next to no crowds. It leaves you with miles of fresh powder to power through. The only thing that might stop you in your tracks is the scenic view of the mountains. The views this ride gives you is what you'll remember. You can ride all day and never get tired of looking at snowy peaks surrounding you. If you have family members that don't ride snowmobiles, but you're looking for a fun family vacation weekend, Bear Lake is a great choice because they also have tubing and skiing areas. If your group has members that just as soon sit by a warm fire inside, Bear Lake's website has a huge list of options for lodging. You'll also find a map of snowmobiling trails on their website.
3. Smiley Creek (Stanley, ID)
Up near Stanley, ID are hundreds of miles of fresh powder every year that beginners and seasoned veterans of snowmobiling enjoy. If you are a beginner, Smiley Creek Lodge offers guided tours! And if you're hoping to turn your friend on to the fun sport of sledding, they also offer affordable rentals with a variety of packages. So if you're looking for an all day adventure or a short half day ride in the mountains, Smiley Creek has everything you need. There are wooded trails where the smell of the trees mixed with everyone's favorite smell (two stroke) are what I always remember from these trails. It's hard to describe...but I guarantee it's worth the trip.
4. Burgdorf Hot Springs
Here's one not everyone thinks of all the time. What's really fun about going to Burgdorf Hot Springs is that it's only accessible by snowmobile. So your entire trip, you're going to be on the throttle. If you want to go here and check out the area, but you don't own a snowmobile, the closest place to rent one would be Cheap Thrills in McCall. But remember that this place is not the luxury stay like some other lodges. They will provide a stove, firewood, and a mattress, but the rest is up to you. Personally, I find this to be one of my favorite parts of staying over night here. It's camping in the woods at its finest. You are up so high in elevation that the snowy air is as clean as it gets. The heat is all from burning wood, and I don't know about you, but that's my favorite heat. Gotta love a rustic cabin stay!
They do suggest that you bring bedding. They will provide the mattress and mattress covers, but that won't be enough. You should also consider bringing a lantern (battery or solar), plenty of layers of clothing, swimsuits and towels (don't forget towels!), food, cooking utensils, etc and you may want to consider bringing your own cooking stove for even cooking temperatures.
If you're ready for a weekend in the woods with nothing but a fire, friends and burning fuel, this is where you want to go!
5. Lolo Pass
Now, this ride is really more for the more experienced riders. I wouldn't suggest this trail for beginners. But if you're comfortable on a sled, don't miss a chance to check out this trail. It's up around the Idaho-Montana border. What's really fun about this trail is the amount of wildlife you're likely to encounter. If you're a photographer or a nature lover, this is a good trail to ride. Winter Recreation Passes are required however and they are available at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center.
It's a good idea to always pack extra fuel. In this area, also be careful to not run over trees. Like I said, this isn't a beginner trail, but if you're a seasoned rider and looking for somewhere new to go, I would very much recommend this trail.
6. Silver Valley
Silver Valley is great for everyone! Three groomers (Eastern Shoshone, Western Shoshone, and Avery) prep over 1,000 miles of winding trails that carve through some of North Idaho’s most scenic terrain. Groomed, boondocking and steep & deep can be enjoyed from Mineral, Shoshone and Kootenai Counties. You can get your registrations and permits from the DMV in Wallace, Yamaha and Skidoo stores in Pinehurst, Kingston Kwik Stop, the Mullan Trail Gas & Grocery in Mullan. Learn more about snowmobiling in the Silver Valley and Northern Idaho here.
If you're planning to drive up to (or live up near) northern Idaho, here is a great list of places around the region to snowmobile.
7. Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Ever been here?! Your jaw will drop down into the snow! I know we all talk about the beauty of the landscapes of Idaho, but this place...this place takes the cake. And there's so much to do up here. They have cat skiing, heli skiing, snowmobiling tours (short and long), snowcat sightseeing tours, backcountry ski tours, and a bunch of other options for classes, tours, lodging and dining. This place really has everything that a winter vacation destination should have.
Here's the number that will blow your mind: there are over 100,000 miles of a snowmobiler's dream powder for you to ride through! Talk about a family resort... Every age, every skill level, every preference of activity, this place has it all. Check it out here.
Well, there you have it. 7 places to go snowmobiling in Idaho. There are of course more. Idaho is full of opportunities for outdoor recreation that many states just don't have. Maybe we should share, or maybe we should just keep it our little secret.