This small mountain town in Eastern Idaho ranks No. 1 in the nation. Why it’s special

Helena Wegner, Idaho Statesman

ISLAND PARK (Idaho Statesman) — In immoderate mini upland municipality you’ll find a mountainous scenery pinch plentifulness of opportunities for outdoor activities.

But 1 municipality successful nan U.S. stood retired nan astir to Travel + Leisure mag — and it wasn’t conscionable for its rocky backdrop.

Travel + Leisure classed Island Park, Idaho, arsenic nan nation’s best mini upland town, according to a Sept. 5 report.

To find nan champion upland town, Travel + Leisure editors studied towns crossed nan United States pinch less than 25,000 residents.

To beryllium recognized, a municipality had to “excel successful its class and connection a assortment of activities, accommodations, and a timely logic to sojourn — beryllium it a notable caller festival, hotel, restaurant, attraction, aliases tourism initiative,” Travel + Leisure wrote.

The mag past looked to colleagues, contributors, recreation advisors and manufacture leaders for nominations of mini upland towns. It past “chose nan destinations we judge our readers will bask nan astir correct now.”

What makes Island Park special?

Island Park landed a spot connected Travel + Leisure’s database of “America’s Best Small Towns of 2024” for nan mini upland municipality category.

It’s successful nan eastbound portion of nan state, adjacent nan Wyoming border.

The municipality is technically classified arsenic a city, nan author, Lydia Mansel wrote, but it has an yearly organization of astir 300 people.

Mansel said Island Park’s mountainous scenery was conscionable 1 facet successful why nan squad selected it.

“It was besides important for nan organization to person a heavy appreciation of nan awesome outdoors and a willingness to stock their home’s earthy wonders pinch visitors,” Mansel wrote.

Travel + Leisure mag highlighted Island Park’s 33-miles of Main Street, “the longest Main Street successful nan United States.”

Other factors that made it a apical prime were nan “cozy accommodations” — for illustration nan Yellowstone Peaks Boutique Hotel — gorgeous sunsets and really adjacent it is to Yellowstone National Park.

Island Park is besides a awesome destination for anglers arsenic it has 1 of nan champion streams for reeling successful trout, nan publication said.

Henry’s Fork is simply a tributary of nan Snake River pinch celebrated sportfishing spots successful Island Park.

The mag only chose 1 victor successful each category, a spokesperson told McClatchy News successful an email.

A superb sunrise lifts complete nan sky astatine Mack’s Inn. | Courtesy Zane R. Schenk, file