Bonners Ferry is located in the state of Idaho and has a lot of culture to offer as well as great sights and interesting destinations. So if you’re planning a trip to Bonners Ferry, you’ve come to the right place!
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Vacation in Bonners Ferry
Bonners Ferry is a hidden gem in the Pacific Northwest. This small town is surrounded by wilderness and offers spectacular views of the Kootenai River, Cabinet Mountains, and Purcell Mountains.
There are endless outdoor activities to enjoy in Bonners Ferry. Hiking, biking, fishing, and camping are all popular choices. The town is also home to the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, which is a great place to see wildlife.
If you’re looking for a unique vacation destination, Bonners Ferry is the perfect place to visit. With its stunning scenery and abundance of outdoor activities, you’ll never be bored in this idyllic town.
Sights in Bonners Ferry
Settled in the late 1800s, Bonners Ferry is a charming, historic city located in Idaho’s panhandle. Surrounded by towering mountains and river valleys, Bonners Ferry offers stunning scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities, as well as a variety of attractions for visitors to enjoy.
Downtown Bonners Ferry is home to a number of quaint shops and restaurants, as well as the Boundary County Museum. The museum is housed in a former stagecoach stop and features exhibits on the area’s history and culture. Other downtown attractions include the Old Church and the High School Memorial Auditorium, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to love in Bonners Ferry. The city is situated along the scenic route of the International Selkirk Loop, a network of highways and backroads that loop through the mountains of Idaho, Montana, and Washington. The loop offers breathtaking views and is popular for both driving and cycling. Hiking and camping are also popular activities in the area, and there are several trails located near Bonners Ferry.
The Kootenai River flows through Bonners Ferry, and the city is home to a public beach where visitors can swim, fish, and paddleboard. For those looking for a more adrenalinepumping experience, the nearbyrapids of the Kootenai River are a popular spot for whitewater rafting.
No matter what your interests are, Bonners Ferry is sure to offer something for everyone. From its beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation to its historic downtown, this charming city has something to offer visitors of all ages.
History of Bonners Ferry
Bonners Ferry is a city in Boundary County, Idaho, United States. The population was 2,543 at the 2010 census. Bonners Ferry is located 38 miles south of the Canadian border in the Idaho Panhandle. U.S. Route 95 passes through the city, leading north 28 miles to Sandpoint and south across the Kootenai River into Montana toward Kalispell. According to the United States Census Bureau, Bonners Ferry has a total area of 1.80 square miles (4.66 km2), all of it land.
The area around Bonners Ferry was first inhabited by the Kootenai people, who lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. The first Europeans in the area were fur trappers, who began trapping in the area in the early 1800s. In 1809, David Thompson of the North West Company became the first white person to travel through the area. He recorded the name of the river near presentday Bonners Ferry as “Kullyspell,” although it is now known as the Kootenai River.
By the 1850s, the U.S. government had established a series of forts along the western border of the United States to protect against possible aggression from Britishcontrolled Canada during the Crimean War. One of these forts was Fort Colville, which was established in 1859 near presentday Colville, Washington. To supply the fort, the U.S. government built a road from Fort Benton, Montana, to Fort Colville, which passed through the future site of Bonners Ferry.
In 1860, gold was discovered in the valley of the Spokane River, not far from Fort Colville. This sparked a gold rush in the area, and miners began pouring into the region. A second road was built from Fort Benton to the gold fields, and this road passed through presentday Bonners Ferry. A ferry was established across the Kootenai River to service the traffic on this road. The ferry was operated by Conrad Kohrs, and the community that grew up around the ferry became known as Kohrs Ferry or simply Ferry.
In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia, and the southern border of Alaska was established at the 60th parallel north, which runs through presentday Bonners Ferry. This made Ferry the northernmost community in the United States.
In 1883, the Northern Pacific Railway completed a line from Duluth, Minnesota, to Portland, Oregon, passing through presentday Bonners Ferry. A townsite was platted at the ferry crossing, and the town was officially named Bonners Ferry in honor of Edward Bonner, who operated the ferry from 1864 to 1893.
Bonners Ferry was incorporated as a city in 1898. The city’s economy was originally based on agriculture and timber, but it later diversified to include tourism and light manufacturing.
The Kootenai National Forest was established in 1908, and the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness was created within the forest in 1964. These protected areas attract visitors from all over the United States and Canada, and contribute to Bonners Ferry’s economy.
The Old Dominion Historic Mine is a former copper mine located near Bonners Ferry that operated from 1896 to 1909. It is now a National Historic Landmark, and is open to the public for tours.
The North Idaho Centennial Trail, a popular recreational trail, passes through Bonners Ferry. The trail stretches 33 miles from East Hope to Sandpoint, and offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities.
In recent years, Bonners Ferry has become increasingly popular as a retirement destination. It is also a popular base for people who enjoy outdoor recreation, such as hunting, fishing, and camping.
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