Things to Do in the Silver Valley, Idaho (A Local's Guide)

Hey, it's Sarah! People always ask me what there is to do out here in the Silver Valley. My honest answer? More than you'll have weekends for. Between Kellogg, Wallace, Osburn, Pinehurst, and Mullan, we've got two ski areas, one of the best paved bike trails in the country, mountains full of ATV trails, and towns with more history per block than anywhere I know. Here's my running list of favorite spots in this corner of North Idaho. It's not every place in the valley, just the ones I know and love.

Where to Eat in the Silver Valley

Wallace punches way above its weight for food.

The Fainting Goat on Bank Street is my pick for a sit-down dinner: wood-fired pizza, burgers, and a self-serve wine system. And yes, the wine lives in an old bank vault, which is about as Wallace as it gets.
Brooks Restaurant in the historic Brooks Hotel is the breakfast spot. Get the huckleberry pancakes. Trust me.
Blackboard Cafe on Cedar Street is part cafe, part marketplace, with great sandwiches, good coffee, and a little bookstore tucked in.
1313 Club & Saloon is a Wallace classic, a historic bar and grill right on Bank Street.

Over in Kellogg:

Radio Brewing Company on Main Street has its own house-brewed beer, a solid menu, and old-time radio decor. It's my go-to after a day on the mountain.

Silver Valley Coffee Shops

You can't do a ski morning or trail day without coffee, right?

The Beanery on Railroad Avenue in Kellogg is my quick stop on the way up to the gondola.
The Beach Bum Bakery on Main Street in Kellogg does organic coffee, bagels, bread, and pastries. Their fall and winter hours change, so check before you go.
The Tin Snug in Wallace is a coffee shop and vinyl record store inside an old funeral home. It's quirky in the best way.

Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg

Silver Mountain Resort is right in Kellogg, and it's a huge part of why I love living here.

The gondola: a 3.1-mile ride from Kellogg up to the Mountain House, billed as North America's longest gondola. The views are unreal in every season.
Skiing and snowboarding: winter days on Kellogg Peak are my happy place. Lift tickets, rentals, lessons, and snow tubing are all on their site.
Summer: scenic gondola rides, hiking trails, and lift-served mountain biking.
Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark: an indoor waterpark down in the Silver Mountain village, perfect for a snowy day or a rainy one.

Check Silver Mountain's hours page for the current season. Openings depend on snow and weather.

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area (and the Route of the Hiawatha)

Head east past Mullan, right at the Idaho–Montana line, and you'll hit Lookout Pass. It's a laid-back ski area known for its free ski school, with summer scenic lift rides and mountain bike trails too.

Lookout also runs the Route of the Hiawatha, and if you only do one bike ride out here, make it this one. It's a 15-mile, mostly downhill rail trail with 10 old railroad tunnels and 7 sky-high trestles. It starts with the 1.661-mile St. Paul Pass (Taft) Tunnel, so bring a good bike light! Trail tickets, the shuttle, and bike rentals are all on their site, and the season is summer to early fall.

ATV and UTV Riding (and Rentals)

The mountains around Wallace and Mullan are full of forest roads and trails, and riding them is one of my favorite ways to spend a summer Saturday. Think old mining sites, mountain lakes, and big Bitterroot views.

No machine? Mountain Meadow Adventure Rentals has a Wallace location renting side-by-sides, ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles in winter. Moon Pass is a popular route out of Wallace. Stay on designated trails, and check the Idaho Panhandle National Forests for road and trail info before you go.

Hunting and Fishing

This is big country for elk, deer, and bird hunting, and fall is my favorite time of year up here. A good chunk of the land around the valley is national forest, so there's a lot of ground to explore. The North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River and the mountain lakes give you plenty of water to fish too.

Before you go, get your license, tags, seasons, and rules straight from Idaho Fish and Game. Their regulations are the final word, and they change year to year.

The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes

The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is a 73-mile paved trail that starts right in Mullan and runs through Wallace, Osburn, Kellogg, and Pinehurst on its way west to Plummer. It's smooth asphalt the whole way, so bikes, walks, rollerblades, and even winter cross-country skiing all work. I love hopping on in Kellogg or Wallace for an easy evening ride.

One local tip: the trail is part of the area's mining cleanup, so stay on the pavement, use the picnic spots, and wash up before you eat. That advice comes straight from Panhandle Health District's safe-recreation tips, and it's the same for river days.

Historic Wallace: Mines, Museums, and Main Street Charm

Wallace calls itself the "Center of the Universe," and once you've walked around downtown, you kind of get it. The old brick buildings, the mining history, and the neon make it one of my favorite towns anywhere.

Sierra Silver Mine Tour: you actually go underground into a historic silver mine and learn how hard-rock mining worked in what they call "the richest silver district on Earth." It's seasonal, so book through their site.
Wallace District Mining Museum on Bank Street has dozens of exhibits, thousands of old photos and maps, and a walk-through mock mine. It's mostly open in the warmer months; see the Visit Wallace listing for details.
For events, shops, and everything else downtown, Visit Wallace keeps a great local calendar.

Thinking About Moving to the Silver Valley?

If this list has you daydreaming about a Saturday on the slopes and a trail-ride Sunday, I get it. That's exactly why I live here! Whether you're eyeing a historic place in Wallace, something near the gondola in Kellogg, or a little more room out toward Pinehurst, I'd love to help.

Call or text me at 208-784-7099, or Search Homes to see what's on the market right now. Even if you're six months out, now's a great time to chat.

Business details, seasons, and hours change, so check each website before you go. I'm not paid to mention anyone on this page.