Where the Wild Meets the Weekend: Playing in Kootenai’s Backyard

In Kootenai, Idaho, the weekend doesn’t start with a big plan or a long road trip—it starts with a good cup of coffee and a glance outside.

Because when you live here, the best of North Idaho is waiting right out your back door. With Lake Pend Oreille to the south, Schweitzer Mountain up above, the Pack River winding nearby, and the towns of Sandpoint and Hope just minutes away, there’s no shortage of ways to spend a weekend. Around here, playing outside is just part of the lifestyle.

Let’s start with the lake.
Lake Pend Oreille is our shared backyard, our summer playground, and our year-round view. At over 1,000 feet deep, it’s the biggest lake in Idaho—and one of the most beautiful anywhere. On warm weekends, locals head to the water for boating, paddleboarding, fishing, or just floating near the shore with friends. It’s not uncommon to see kids doing cannonballs off docks while someone nearby casts for bass or trout. And in the quieter months? That lake still calls—reflecting the snowcapped mountains and offering the kind of stillness that resets your soul.

If you’re more of a land adventurer, there’s no shortage of hiking trails and secret spots nearby. Head north to the Pack River area, where trails wind through lush forests and past hidden waterfalls. Go west toward Gold Hill for sweeping views of the lake, or venture east toward the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, where the elevation climbs and the mountain goats sometimes outnumber the hikers. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly stroll or a lung-busting summit, there’s a trail with your name on it.

Sandpoint, just down the road, adds another layer to weekend living. Grab breakfast at a local café, stroll through the farmer’s market, or browse the galleries and bookshops before heading to City Beach for an afternoon picnic. It’s a small town with big charm—and for Kootenai residents, it’s just a five-minute drive away.

And don’t sleep on Hope, Idaho—a postcard-perfect little town perched on the lake’s edge. Just east of Kootenai, Hope offers a slower pace and some of the most stunning lake views you’ll ever see. Launch a kayak from the marina, enjoy a quiet lakeside dinner, or simply take the winding drive along Highway 200 to soak in the scenery. It’s the kind of place where time slows down and the sunsets stretch a little longer.

Then there’s Schweitzer, towering above it all. In winter, it’s a snow-covered wonderland perfect for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or just warming your hands around a mug of cocoa at the lodge. In summer, it transforms into a haven for mountain bikers, hikers, and chairlift sunset seekers. Locals know: Schweitzer isn’t just a ski hill—it’s a year-round escape.

And sometimes, playing in Kootenai doesn’t mean doing anything ambitious at all. Sometimes it means grabbing a friend and heading to the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, a flat lakeside path where dogs can run free and kids can skip rocks until their pockets are empty. Or maybe it means gathering around a backyard firepit, swapping stories while the stars pop out one by one overhead.

That’s the beauty of life here.
Living in Kootenai means you’re never far from what matters—nature, community, and just enough space to breathe.

Whether you’re an early riser with hiking boots, a lake lover with a paddleboard, or someone who just enjoys a slow drive with the windows down and the mountains in view, weekends in Kootenai aren’t about escaping life—they’re about living it well.

So if you’re wondering what to do this weekend, the answer’s simple:
Step outside.
Because around here, the wild doesn’t need chasing.
It’s already home.