Smelterville IdahoATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Smelterville, Idaho.
1. Silver Mountain Resort
MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE PARADISE
Silver Mountain Resort offers year-round outdoor adventures including North America's longest gondola ride extending 3.1 miles. During winter, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on the mountain slopes, while summer activities include mountain biking at their bike park. The resort provides a perfect base for experiencing the natural beauty of Idaho's Silver Valley region.
2. Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark
AQUATIC FUN INDOORS
Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark provides family-friendly water attractions regardless of the weather outside. Visitors can enjoy water slides, a lazy river, and various pools in this temperature-controlled environment. The waterpark is connected to Silver Mountain Resort, making it a perfect complement to outdoor adventures in the area.
3. Sprag Pole Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Sprag Pole Museum showcases the rich mining and cultural history of Idaho's Silver Valley. Visitors can explore a wide array of mining artifacts, historical photographs, and exhibits that tell the story of the region's development. The museum offers an authentic glimpse into the past of this historic mining area.
4. Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes
SCENIC BIKING PATH
The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is a 73-mile paved trail perfect for biking, walking, and inline skating through the beautiful Silver Valley. The trail follows the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way from Mullan to Plummer, offering spectacular views of mountains, lakes, and wildlife. Visitors can access the trail from multiple points including near Smelterville, making it easy to enjoy sections of this renowned outdoor recreation path.
5. Crystal Gold Mine
HISTORIC MINING EXPERIENCE
Crystal Gold Mine offers visitors the chance to explore an authentic underground gold mine from the 1880s. Knowledgeable guides lead tours explaining mining techniques and the history of gold discovery in the region. Visitors can also try gold panning and purchase mining kits with various rocks and minerals.
6. Sunshine Miners Memorial
TRIBUTE TO FALLEN MINERS
The Sunshine Miners Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the 91 miners who lost their lives in the 1972 Sunshine Mine disaster. The memorial features a statue of a miner emerging from the ground, symbolizing hope and resilience in the face of tragedy. Visitors can reflect on the mining heritage and the sacrifices made by those who worked in this dangerous industry.
7. Shoshone County Mining & Smelting Museum
SILVER VALLEY MINING HERITAGE
The Shoshone County Mining & Smelting Museum preserves and showcases the mining history that shaped the Silver Valley region. Exhibits include mining equipment, photographs, and artifacts that tell the story of the area's rich mineral resources and the people who extracted them. Visitors gain insight into the technological developments and human experiences that defined this historically significant industry.
8. Route of the Hiawatha
SCENIC MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
The Route of the Hiawatha is a world-class bike trail following a former railroad route through the Bitterroot Mountains. The 15-mile trail features 10 tunnels and 7 high trestles, with the highlight being the 1.66-mile-long St. Paul Pass Tunnel. Riders of all skill levels can enjoy this downhill trail with shuttle service available for return transportation.
9. Galena Ridge Golf Course
MOUNTAIN GOLF EXPERIENCE
Galena Ridge Golf Course offers a challenging mountain golf experience with stunning panoramic views of the Silver Valley. The 9-hole course features significant elevation changes, strategically placed bunkers, and well-maintained greens. Golfers can enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding Bitterroot Mountains while testing their skills on this unique course.
10. Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail
SCENIC HIKING ADVENTURE
Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail provides hikers with a 3.3-mile loop featuring spectacular views of Lake Coeur d'Alene. The trail climbs through forests with interpretive signs explaining the local ecology and history of the area. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly during winter when bald eagles gather to feed on spawning kokanee salmon.
11. Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission State Park
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission State Park is home to the oldest standing building in Idaho, the Sacred Heart Mission. Built between 1850 and 1853 by Catholic missionaries and members of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, the mission church was constructed without using a single nail. Visitors can tour the mission, the parish house, and exhibits that tell the story of the interaction between the missionaries and the Native American tribes.
12. Captain John Mullan Museum
HISTORIC TRAIL MUSEUM
The Captain John Mullan Museum commemorates the construction of the Mullan Road, the first wagon road to cross the Rocky Mountains to the Inland Northwest. Exhibits detail the challenges faced by Captain Mullan and his team as they built this crucial transportation route between 1859 and 1862. Visitors can learn about the impact this historic road had on the development and settlement of the region.
13. Shoshone Golf Club
HISTORIC VALLEY GOLF
Shoshone Golf Club is one of the oldest golf courses in the Northwest, established in 1922 in the heart of the Silver Valley. The 18-hole course features tree-lined fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Golfers of all skill levels can enjoy the relatively flat layout while appreciating the club's long history and welcoming atmosphere.
14. Avery Museum
RAILROAD HISTORY PRESERVED
The Avery Museum preserves the history of this once-bustling railroad town located along the Milwaukee Road. Exhibits showcase artifacts, photographs, and stories from the heyday of railroad transportation in the region. Visitors can learn about the engineering marvels required to build railroads through the challenging mountain terrain and the communities that developed along these vital transportation routes.
15. Silver Valley 300K Bitterroot Loop
MULTI-DAY BIKING ADVENTURE
The Silver Valley 300K Bitterroot Loop offers a challenging 4-day biking and camping adventure through some of Idaho's most beautiful scenery. Cyclists travel approximately 300 kilometers through the Bitterroot Mountains, experiencing diverse landscapes from forests to river valleys. The loop connects various trails and backroads, providing an immersive outdoor experience for adventure seekers.