Blanchard offers outdoor and golf living in Northern Idaho
Blanchard is a small community in Bonner County, Northern Idaho, tucked behind Mount Spokane and overlooking the scenic Blanchard Valley. Surrounded by lush forests and lakes, it offers locals easy access to outdoor recreation. Often considered a seasonal or vacation destination, Blanchard is anchored by StoneRidge Golf and Recreational Community and the timeshare Stoneridge Resort. “Blanchard is a very small community with a rural setting,” says Terry Stevens, broker at Heritage Shores Realty with nearly 30 years of experience. “The main draw would be the timeshare condo resort and the golf course community; it’s mainly for people who like golf.” Blanchard is close to larger communities like Spirit Lake and Newport, Washington, making shopping and dining relatively convenient.
Homes range from golf course properties to those with wooded acreage
Single-family ranch-style homes in the StoneRidge Golf and Recreational Community typically sell between $450,000 and $1 million, with lakefront properties at the higher end of the price range. Residents enjoy resort-style living with monthly HOA fees that cover amenities such as golf membership, access to Lake San Souci, sports facilities and a fitness center with an indoor pool. Stoneridge Resort is a timeshare condo community by the golf course, featuring a 24,000-square-foot recreation center with spa, sauna and more. Properties outside StoneRidge are priced similarly, often set on large acres of land ranging from 5 to over 20 acres. Housing styles are diverse, including 20th-century cottages, farmhouses and ranch-style homes, many tucked into the woods with mountain views. Vacant lots are also available, ranging from $150,000 for a quarter-acre parcel to $350,000 for 20 acres. “Blanchard is a more seasonal destination, and about 80% of homeowners leave in wintertime,” Stevens says.
Year-round recreation includes golf, water sports and winter skiing
Wyatt's Park has a large playground with swings, play equipment and a sandbox. There's a ball field down the street for sports practices and Little League games. StoneRidge’s 19-hole golf course is open to the public for tee times. Locals can go fishing and kayaking at Blanchard Lake. For more recreational options, Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is about 20 miles southwest of town in Washington state, near Mount Spokane State Park, which has about 100 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Public and private schools that serve Blanchard
West Bonner County School District offers school choice and allows for interdistrict and intradistrict transfers. Priest River Elementary School earns a C grade from Niche. Priest River Lamanna Jr/Sr High School covers seventh through 12th grades, and partners with North Idaho College to provide dual credit courses. Niche rates the middle school levels a C, and the high school grades a C-minus. For private schooling, House of the Lord Christian Academy serves prekindergarten to 12th grade and gets a C. The school is about 10 miles north in Oldtown.
Spirit Lake and Newport offer many shopping and dining options
Blanchard has very few local businesses. There is a post office, a gas station and Surf Shack, which serves burgers and fries. StoneRidge Pub & Grill is the club restaurant located inside StoneRidge Golf and Recreational Community, offering classic American fare and live music nights. The nearest grocery store is Miller's Harvest Foods in Spirit Lake, and there's a Safeway in Newport. Both towns are 5 to 10 miles away and provide additional shopping and dining options.
Blanchard's community center hosts clubs, holiday parties and events
The Blanchard Community Center is the town’s gathering space. Local organizations and hobby groups such as the Blanchard Stitchers and the local garden club meet at the center for events and meetings. The center also hosts holiday celebrations, including parties for Halloween and Christmas. StoneRidge Golf and Recreational Community hosts golf tournaments and summer concerts.
Distance to nearby towns, hospital and airport
Idaho state Highway 41 connects Blanchard to nearby communities. Spirit Lake is about 5 miles south, and Newport and Newport Community Hospital are about 10 miles north. Spokane International Airport is about 50 miles away.
