Sandpoint

Sandpoint is a town in Bonner County, northern Idaho, nestled between three mountain ranges and the shore of Lake Pend Oreille. The settlement sits on relatively flat ground near the water, with surrounding forested peaks forming a natural amphitheater around the town center.

The Northern Pacific Railroad reached the area in the 1880s, establishing the foundation for European settlement. The community gained incorporation as a town in 1898 and developed into a center for the local timber trade.

The Festival at Sandpoint presents summer music performances, while the Panida Theater hosts film screenings and cultural events throughout the year.

Trails lead into the surrounding mountains and along the lakeshore, while winter access to Schweitzer Mountain Resort remains open for skiing. Water activities take place near the shoreline, and public facilities are generally open year-round.

The Panida Theater downtown screens films and hosts performances in an early 20th-century building that still retains its original interior design. The local stage also hosts a multi-day summer music festival along the waterfront.

Location: Bonner County

Inception: 1898

Website: http://ctyofsandpoint.com

GPS coordinates: 48.27659,-116.55325

Latest update: December 15, 2025 00:18