Saint Maries, ID

St. Maries is a small riverside city in the panhandle of northern Idaho, serving as the county seat of Benewah County. With a population of roughly 2,400 residents, it has the feel of a classic Pacific Northwest timber town, ringed by forested hills and set along the banks of the St. Joe River. The community is closely tied to the surrounding Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation and is best known as a launch point for outdoor adventure in the nearby national forests and on the river itself. The nearest major city is Spokane, Washington, which lies about 60 miles to the northwest, roughly an hour and fifteen minutes by car.

The St. Joe River is the heart of the area's appeal, and it has earned national recognition as one of the first rivers in the United States designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. It flows directly through St. Maries and is a popular destination for drift boating, kayaking, and trout and steelhead fishing throughout the warmer months. Visitors can float stretches of the river and access the surrounding St. Joe National Forest, a vast expanse of lodgepole pine and fir that offers camping, hiking, and wildlife watching within minutes of town.

About 30 minutes to the northwest, just off Interstate 90, the Cataldo Mission at Old Mission State Park preserves the oldest standing building in Idaho. The white-painted wooden chapel and accompanying museum interpret the history of Jesuit missionaries and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, making it a worthwhile stop for visitors interested in the regional heritage.

Roughly 45 minutes north of St. Maries, the city of Coeur d'Alene and the shores of its namesake lake draw visitors year-round. The lake is a centerpiece for boating, swimming, and waterfront dining, and the surrounding Heyburn State Park, one of Idaho's oldest state parks, offers forested campgrounds and quiet coves along the water. The drive north toward the lake also passes through the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation, which encompasses much of the land around St. Maries and hosts cultural events, a casino resort, and the tribe's well-known July 4th celebration.

St. Maries offers short-term rental owners an appealing combination of small-town quiet and proximity to some of the Inland Northwest's most popular outdoor destinations. Its location near the St. Joe River, within easy reach of Coeur d'Alene Lake, the Cataldo Mission, and the larger amenities of Spokane and Coeur d'Alene, gives guests a peaceful forested base camp from which to explore a wide swath of northern Idaho.