Why go
Between Wallace and Coeur d'Alene, the Silver Valley is a region that has been shaped by silver mining for more than a century. Today, it combines impressive mountain landscapes, historic mining sites and varied outdoor activities to become one of Northidaho's most exciting destinations.
The name is the program: billions of dollars of silver, lead and zinc have been extracted from the Silver Valley mines. At the same time, the region is now one of North America's largest renaturation projects. Former mining landscapes have been transformed into recreational areas and today offer countless opportunities for hiking, cycling and nature watching.
For campers, the Silver Valley is an ideal region to combine history and nature.
At a glance
Category | Information
Situation | Between Coeur d'Alene and the border with Montana
Known for | Silver mining
Ideal stay | 1–2 days
Fifth-wheel access | Check your vehicle, specific campsite and approach road.
History | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Outdoor | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Silver Mountain Resort
The Silver Mountain Resort is the most famous excursion destination in the region.
In winter it is one of the most popular ski resorts in Idaho, while in summer numerous outdoor activities are offered.
Highlights:
Gondola
Hiking trails
Mountain bike routes
Water park
Food & drink
Already the gondola ride offers fantastic views over the whole valley.
Photo Tip
From the mountain station opens up an impressive panorama over the Silver Valley.
Crystal Gold Mine
This historic mine provides an authentic insight into gold and silver mining.
During the tour you will visit original tunnels and learn a lot about the daily life of miners.
Kellogg
Kellogg is the economic center of Silver Valley.
Here you can find:
Cafés
Food & drink
Small shops
Museums
Starting point to the gondola
Cataldo Mission
About 20 minutes west of Kellogg is the oldest preserved church in Idaho.
The mission was built in the 1850s and is now one of the most important historical buildings in the state.
Insider tip
Connect your visit to the mission with a ride along the Coeur d'Alene River – a beautiful route with numerous viewpoints.
Gondola ride on the Silver Mountain
One of the longest cable cars in North America will take you comfortably to the mountain.
Upstairs you'll be waiting.
Panorama hikes
Food & drink
Viewpoints
Mountain bike routes
Hiking
Popular hiking tours lead to:
Viewpoints
Falls
former mine installations
Alpine meadows
Depending on the route, short walks as well as more demanding day trips are possible.
Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes
The famous cycle path also runs in the Silver Valley.
The route runs along former railway paths through forests, rivers and historic mining areas.
Mountain biking
Silver Mountain Resort is one of the most famous bike destinations in the northwestern United States.
Several trails are also suitable for beginners.
Shopping
For your daily needs you will find in Kellogg:
Supermarket
Outdoor shops
Sports goods
Gift shops
For larger purchases, Coeur d'Alene is recommended.
Noah's Canteen
Popular restaurant with regional cuisine.
Particularly recommended:
Burger
Sandwiches
homemade desserts
Radio Brewing Company
Small craft brewery with a cosy atmosphere.
Ideal for a relaxing evening.
Hill Street Depot
Historical restaurant with American cuisine.
Known for:
Steaks
BBQ
Regional specialities
Silver Mountain RV Park
Located directly at the resort.
Benefits:
Full Hook-up
Spacious pitches
ideal location
Perfect for big Fifth Wheels.
Blue Anchor RV Park
Quiet campsite between Wallace and Kellogg.
Bumblebee Campground
National Forest Campground.
Ideal for hiking tours and nature observations.
RV tip
The Interstate 90 runs directly through the Silver Valley and is excellently developed. This makes the region also ideal as a relaxed stopover with large teams.
Insider tip
Many visitors drive directly to Montana. It is worth an extra day in Silver Valley, especially if you like hiking or are interested in the history of mining.
Photo Tip
The view from the cable car to the wooded valley is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Nordidaho.
Avoid frequent errors
Plan enough time for the gondola ride – there is much more to discover on the mountain than many expect.
Inform yourself about the operating hours of the gondola, especially outside the high season.
Wear a lightweight jacket even in summer – it can be much cooler on the mountain peaks.
Connect Silver Valley and Wallace to a common stage – the two regions complement each other perfectly.
Our recommendation
The Silver Valley shows a completely different side of Idaho than the famous lakes in the north. Here spectacular mountain landscapes meet a fascinating industrial history and numerous outdoor possibilities.