St. Maries: Water, Parks and Culture

St. Maries offers options for trips with different focuses: activities on the water, parks and sports facilities, events, and places of remembrance and regional history. If you’re looking for a hotel in St. Maries, these themes can help with your planning. First, consider whether you’d like to focus your trip on an event, outdoor activities, or the city’s history.

Water, Parks, and Outdoor Activities

Aqua Park is located on the St. Joe River. The facility includes boat docks and a sandy beach; boats can also be launched into the river via a boat ramp. The park is therefore a specific place to visit if you’d like to spend time on the water or include launching a boat in your travel plans.

In spring, the St. Maries River is suitable for rafting and kayaking. Kayaking, whitewater rafting, water skiing, and boating are also possible on the St. Joe River, the St. Maries River, Lake Chatcolet, and Round Lake. The seasonal note about rafting and kayaking refers to the St. Maries River; the other activities listed are available on several waterways.

Central Park brings together a variety of facilities: These include a swimming pool, picnic areas, and a playground, as well as basketball and tennis courts, softball fields, a dirt track, and a soccer field. This offers a range of sports and recreation options in one place. St. Maries Golf Course offers a different focus: It is a 9-hole course with paved golf cart paths, a clubhouse, and a restaurant.

The Benewah County Fairgrounds also bring together several practical aspects of a visit. The grounds are within walking distance of downtown St. Maries and have an equestrian arena where riding events are held. Facilities also include RV sites and a dump station.

Events and Local Offerings

The Benewah County Fair is held every August in St. Maries. The program includes 4-H and FFA livestock shows, as well as local arts and crafts and regional products. If you’d like to plan your trip around the fair, it’s a recurring date on the annual calendar to keep in mind.

Race the Joe is an annual jet boat event held in May on the banks of the St. Joe River. The races begin on Saturday morning and continue on Sunday. Paul Bunyan Days is held annually in St. Maries over Labor Day weekend. The program includes logging competitions, water events, motocross races, carnival attractions, food and craft vendors, music, and fireworks. Dates and schedules for Race the Joe, as well as the dates and program for Paul Bunyan Days, may change. Check the details for the relevant event weekend before your trip. The three recurring event dates fall in May, August, and Labor Day weekend.

The St. Maries Farmers Market offers goods from more than 45 local vendors: homegrown, handmade, and homemade products. The number of vendors and the goods on offer may change. So if a visit to the market is part of your plans, it’s worth checking the latest information in advance.

History and Places of Remembrance

The Hughes House Historical Museum displays photos, antiques, and artifacts relating to early life in St. Maries and northern Idaho. The exhibits give your visit a historical focus that extends beyond the city to include the region.

The St. Maries 1910 Fire Memorial is located in St. Maries Cemetery. It is listed on Idaho’s National Register of Historic Places. Another place of remembrance is Logger's Memorial Park: It bears the names of more than 250 loggers from the St. Joe River area who died in the timber industry. Both places reflect history but have different points of emphasis—the 1910 memorial and the remembrance of those who died on the job.

Starting Point for a Drive

The St. Joe River Scenic Byway begins in St. Maries at the intersection of Idaho 3 and Forest Highway 50 (FS 50). If a drive along the Scenic Byway is part of your travel plans, you can use this starting point to help orient yourself.

This lets you tailor your search for hotels in St. Maries to your specific travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Fernwood

For the broader travel overview: Benewah County.