Discover Blanchard

Blanchard lies in a small valley surrounded by mountains on three sides; elevations of up to 5,000 feet shape the landscape. The area also offers a tangible local history and arts and crafts activities at the Community Center. You can combine outdoor plans with offerings at StoneRidge. When looking for a vacation rental, it’s worth first considering whether the landscape and community life, or a particular day of activities, should shape your stay.

Valley and Mountain Backdrop

Mountains enclose the valley on three sides and rise to elevations of up to 5,000 feet. This gives Blanchard a distinctive landscape that can play a part in choosing your destination. If you consider the surroundings an important part of your trip, they offer a specific point of consideration alongside the individual activities. At the same time, you can shape your stay in different ways: focusing on local history and creative offerings, or including a sporting activity. The description of the valley thus gives you a reference point for planning without limiting your stay to just one kind of experience.

Local History and Community Offerings

The town was named after Joe Blanchard, an early settler and the brother-in-law of the father, who moved to Kootenai Lake in Canada. The town’s name is thus connected to a specific person and a move to another place; it adds a historical thread to the landscape perspective.

The Blanchard Community Center offers arts and crafts events and related classes. It also hosts a free summer art camp for children. The offerings vary by format and season: classes and events cover arts and crafts, while the camp is specifically for children and takes place in summer. If the camp is important to your trip planning, confirm the dates before organizing your trip around it.

A community potluck is scheduled at the Blanchard Grange on the fourth Monday at 6:30 p.m. Unlike a class or camp, the focus here is on sharing a meal at a specific time. If you’d like to plan around the gathering, it’s best to confirm the date in advance.

Golf and Pickleball at StoneRidge

StoneRidge has a 19-hole golf course and six championship pickleball courts. These two features represent different sporting activities and can help with planning your day if you want to take different interests into account. You don’t need to combine them into one itinerary: decide which activity you’d like to prioritize during your stay.

To reach StoneRidge from I-90, take Exit 7, head north on Highway 41, and continue along Blanchard Elk Road. After about 28 miles, you’ll reach the north side of Blanchard; turn left at the gas station and drive another three-quarters of a mile to the entrance. Check road conditions and the signage at the entrance before you set out.

Choosing the Focus of Your Trip

When looking for a vacation rental, you can use your planned activities as a guide. If you want the mountain and valley landscape to define the character of your trip, Blanchard’s scenery offers a clear point of connection. For creative activities, consider the Community Center’s offerings; attending the potluck depends on finding a suitable date. If you’re specifically planning to play golf or pickleball, take the described route to StoneRidge into account.

Discover more destinations: Coolin, Sagle, Athol, Priest River, Hope, Sandpoint, Ponderay

For the broader travel overview: Bonner County.