Nestled away in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho is a community with lakefront cabins that are perfect for cozy winter getaways and fun summer adventures. The Dover Bay Resort sits on Lake Pend Oreille, which offers gorgeous mountain views year-round that Northern Idaho is famous for. If the mountains are calling your name, this is the place to go.

The Resort

Dover Bay is just minutes from downtown Sandpoint and only a thirty minute drive from Schweitzer Resort. After a long day of skiing Schweitzer or snowshoeing around the lake, taking an evening soak in the resort’s large outdoor hot tub and heated pool is the perfect way to wind-down. The resort also offers a full gym with plenty of cardio equipment, weights, yoga mats, and exercise balls.  

The lakefront cabins can sleep up to seven depending on the floor plan, and the park-side bungalows can accommodate up to ten. Each cabin is furnished with extremely comfortable beds, pull-out couches, and a fully-stocked kitchen. Some bungalows also have a gas fireplace, which is perfect for warm winter evenings indoors.

Small Town Sandpoint

With a population just under eight-thousand, Sandpoint has a small mountain-town vibe that’s both progressive and old-school. You can find local diners with delicious burgers, or modern restaurants with global options. For the latter, Beet and Basil is a fantastic choice. All of their ingredients are locally sourced and they have a regular-changing menu to keep things fresh and new. The food quality is astounding, and it’s reasonably priced as well. This restaurant is a must if you’re ever in Sandpoint!

If cooking at the Dover Bay cabins is more your style, visit the Miller’s Country Market for groceries and quality homemade options. They have wonderful pastries, homemade bread, and a deli section that offers quality meats, custom sandwiches, and homemade sides. This is also a great place to stop and grab lunch before heading up to Schweitzer for the day.

Summer at Dover Bay

While Dover Bay is a cozy winter vacation spot, it also offers a huge variety of summer activities as well. Each cabin has a covered porch and barbeque for outdoor cooking/socializing, and the lakefront bungalows are just a few yards from the lake and marina. You can also stop to eat at the resort’s restaurant, The Dish, for quick and easy dining that doesn’t require a trip into town.

The resort offers a plethora of water activities, and options to rent pontoon boats, ski-boats, and waverunners through Sandpoint Water Sports, which is conveniently located on the resort’s marina. They also host the Sandpoint Seaplane that provides different aerial tours around the mountainous Sandpoint region. If you’re an outdoor adventurer, you can charter a flight to have the plane drop off or pick up at remote lakes and streams for backwoods-style fishing, river floating, or camping.

The hiking around Sandpoint is some of the best in Idaho. Selkirk Recreation Districts and Schweitzer both have some great summer trails to explore for a variety of skill levels.

Special Events Hosting

Dover Bay recently renovated a 1930’s homestead barn to host special events such as weddings, reunions, and receptions! The barn has a vintage, rustic feel with high-vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, and string lights. Since the barn is located on the resort, it’s perfect for a destination-style mountain wedding.

Although Sandpoint is a small town, its secret gems like the resort, modern restaurants, and beautiful mountain scenery make it a lovely vacation spot for any season. Whether your a ski bum looking to shred one of the best mountains in the northwest, or an outdoor enthusiast looking for a relaxing summer vacation on the lake, Dover Bay is the perfect place to stay.