Spotlight on Bonners Ferry
A visitor to Bonners Ferry becomes a visitor to the history of the West. This small city at the northern tip of the Idaho panhandle – just 16 miles from the Canadian border – has its roots in Native American culture and the Gold Rush.
Today, Bonners Ferry is Idaho’s international gateway, welcoming those arriving from Canada, which has long been a major trading partner with the Gem State.
The nearby Boundary County Airport provides overnight hangars for corporate aircraft, maintenance and a restaurant. The airport is home to Northern Air, which offers a number of services from charter flights to wildlife telemetry.
From the Gold Rush in 1863, when thousands of miners surged into British Columbia through this northern town, Bonners Ferry has been a stopping point for travelers to rest, regroup and take on supplies. In early days, travelers were stopped by the mighty Kootenai River, waiting to cross on the ferry established there by Edwin Bonner. Later, the Kootenai Valley became known as the “Nile of the North” and the Bonners Ferry Lumber Company grew to be one of the world’s largest lumber mills of the early 20th century.
Today, Bonners Ferry’s primary industries are lumber, farming and tree farming, the 7th largest commodity in Idaho. But vacationers have discovered the natural beauty, the breathtakingly beautiful Selkirk Mountains, and numerous recreational activities the region offers.
The Selkirk Loop, a 280-mile scenic byway, is accessed through Bonners Ferry, winding around the Selkirk Mountains, and taking travelers through Idaho, Washington and British Columbia.
Bonners Ferry is also home to the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge that provides habitat for more than 220 species of birds, 45 species of mammals and 22 species of fish. The refuge has a 4.5-mile auto tour loop and five hiking trails. www.fws.gov/kootenai.
Business District
The heart of Bonner’s Ferry is its trendy business district with a growing number of merchants who cater not only to the many visitors who pass through, but to their friends and neighbors who gather downtown to share a cup of coffee and a little bit of conversation.
Several restaurants, a grocery store, government buildings, office buildings and quaint retail stores have flourished along the wide flower-lined streets of downtown Bonners Ferry.
Under the Sun is an “all-in-the-family” operation run by Shelly Yount and her three daughters – Kynsie, Kaylan and Kendall. The store features unique gifts, as well as an area to enjoy a cup of coffee, lunch or a glass of wine with friends.
Shelly says that Under the Sun creates “opportunity” – an opportunity for her daughters to stay in Bonners Ferry and an opportunity to create a community location where her neighbors can bring their visiting friends and feel at home.
Hear how Shelly was able to create an opportunity for her family in Bonner's Ferry.
Tracy Truesdell, owner of Papa Byrds Pizza has recently returned to Bonners Ferry from Spokane capitalizing on the entrepreneurial spirit that has sprung up in the last several years. Like many natives of Bonners Ferry, Tracy moved away to explore opportunities outside the Kootenai River Valley, but has since moved back from Spokane because of the renaissance of Bonners Ferry. Tracy says she “loves the energy” of the town these days and wants to be part of 
shaping the future of Bonners Ferry. To hear Tracy talk about coming home to Bonners Ferry, click here.
Bonners Ferry has received recognition as one of Idaho’s friendliest towns as voted on by visiting tourists. Residents say tourists sense the spirit and pride of the people and most importantly, a sense of community.