Bonner County, Idaho is a beautiful rural county located in the north western part of the state. It is bordered by Kootenai County to the east, Boundary County to the north, and Shoshone County to the west. The county seat is Sandpoint, which is also its largest city. The population of Bonner County as of 2020 was 42,061.
According to sportingology.com, the history of Bonner County dates back to 1864 when it became part of Washington Territory. In 1879 it was annexed into Idaho and became its own county in 1907. Since then it has become a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike due to its breathtaking scenery and abundance of outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and hunting.
Attractions in Bonner County include Schweitzer Mountain Resort which provides year-round skiing opportunities; Priest Lake State Park which has two public beaches; Farragut State Park which features a historic World War II naval base; Round Lake State Park which offers fishing opportunities; and Silverwood Theme Park which has an array of roller coasters and other attractions.
Bonner County also has many famous people that have called it home over the years including actors Bruce Dern and Brad Pitt who were both born here; singer Jewel who grew up here; Senator Frank Church who represented Idaho from 1957-1981; professional snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler who grew up here; and former NFL quarterback John Friesz who attended high school in Sandpoint before going on to play professionally for several teams throughout his career.
Climate and weather in Bonner County, Idaho
According to liuxers.com, Bonner County, Idaho is a beautiful rural county located in the north western part of the state. It has a mild, four-season climate that is characterized by warm summers and cold winters. The average temperatures in the summer range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 27 degrees Celsius). In the winter, temperatures can dip as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius).
Precipitation is fairly consistent throughout the year, with an average of 18 inches (45 cm) per year. Snowfall can be significant during the winter months with an average of over 60 inches (150 cm) per year. Most of this snowfall occurs during December and January when temperatures are at their lowest.
The area also experiences occasional thunderstorms during the spring and summer months which can bring welcome relief from hot weather but can also cause flooding if they are severe enough. The area also experiences occasional windstorms in the fall and winter months which can cause power outages due to downed trees or other debris.
Bonner County enjoys a mild climate that makes it ideal for outdoor recreation year-round. From skiing down Schweitzer Mountain Resort in the winter to swimming at Priest Lake State Park in the summer, there’s always something fun to do outdoors here.
Transportation in Bonner County, Idaho
Bonner County, Idaho is served by a variety of transportation options. The county has two major highways that run through it, US Highway 95 and Idaho State Highway 41. These highways provide direct access to cities in the surrounding areas such as Spokane, Washington and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
The county also has several public bus routes operated by Intercity Transit which provide service to many of the towns and cities in Bonner County and the surrounding areas. There are also several private shuttle services that offer transportation between different areas of Bonner County as well as to nearby cities like Spokane or Coeur d’Alene.
For those who prefer to drive themselves, Bonner County has several car rental agencies located throughout the area. In addition, taxis are available for hire in most towns and cities throughout Bonner County for those who need door-to-door service.
The county is also served by an airport located in Sandpoint which offers daily flights to Seattle, Spokane, Boise, Portland, and other major cities throughout the Northwest region of the United States. The airport is also home to several charter companies which offer flights to more remote destinations throughout the region.
Finally, Bonner County is served by a ferry system that operates between Sandpoint and Priest Lake during the summer months of June through August providing convenient access between both locations for visitors to enjoy all that each area has to offer.
Cities and towns in Bonner County, Idaho
According to COUNTRYAAH, Bonner County, Idaho is home to a variety of cities and towns that offer something for everyone. Starting in the north, Sandpoint is the county’s largest city and a popular tourist destination with its scenic views of Lake Pend Oreille and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and fishing. In addition to being the county seat, Sandpoint also has a vibrant downtown area with plenty of restaurants, shops, galleries, and other attractions.
Further south is Priest River which is known for its historic Main Street with several historical buildings. The town also has an abundance of outdoor activities including biking trails along the river as well as access to nearby Priest Lake State Park which offers camping sites and other recreational opportunities.
Just east of Priest River is Oldtown which has been around since 1864 and still retains much of its original charm from its days as a logging town. Today, Oldtown is best known for its annual Logger Days Festival held each summer featuring live music performances, logging competitions, food vendors, arts & crafts booths, and more.
Down in the southern part of Bonner County are several smaller towns such as Clark Fork which serves as the gateway to Montana’s Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area. Cocolalla Lake also offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities with its many lakeside parks that are great for swimming or fishing during the summer months while nearby Coolin provides visitors with access to mountain biking trails in both summer and winter seasons.
Finally, Sagle lies near Bonners Ferry at the southern end of Bonner County where visitors can enjoy both outdoor activities like kayaking on Kootenai River or exploring nearby Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Area as well as cultural attractions like Samowen Village Museum that showcases local history through displays about Native American culture or Pend Oreille County Museum which features exhibits about early settlers in this area.