Dover was known for its lumber, but now for its lifestyle
Dover is a former lumber town that's evolved over time into a destination for its lakeside living and proximity to Sandpoint. "It's a small town that may appear quiet in the off-season, but summer brings a vibrant lifestyle on the water and winter brings the ski community," says Jackie Suarez, an associate broker with Century 21 RiverStone who has over 20 years of experience. While Dover is primarily a bedroom community, Suarez notes that its marina and restaurant attract visitors. Recreationally, residents enjoy trails linking them to the beach and Sandpoint, roughly 3 miles away. History appears in many ways here, including through Dover’s earliest workman cottages, to its 1920s-era church that once served as a summer retreat for a prominent lumberman.
Trails connect locals to recreation, and more is a short drive away
Locals can ride their bikes to Dover City Park for a spot to relax and swim, and bring their kids to the playground. The Dover Bay Marina is next door with an attached resort that offers a swimming pool, hot tub and fitness center. The marina has 274 boat slips and a boat launch. Trailheads on the edge of the city lead into surrounding wooded terrain. Less than 4 miles east, Sandpoint City Beach is larger with another marina and recreational fun, from a pool to tennis and pickleball courts. During winter, the east side of the beach is also used as an informal sledding hill. Disc golf, a public golf course, dog park and pocket parks are all within 6 miles. Round Lake State Park and the Schweitzer Mountain ski resort are within 15 miles.
Living lakeside or more inland near the marina and Sandpoint
For being small, Dover offers variety. "The town encompasses estate homes on the hillside overlooking the water, original mill homes in the community and Dover Bay, a relatively recent development that includes condominiums, larger single-family homes and bungalows," Suarez says. The Dover Bay neighborhood is particularly convenient to Dover's central amenities as it directly surrounds the marina, restaurant, fitness center and pool. Properties on the water in Dover or closer to Sandpoint fetch the highest prices, especially luxurious new construction. The median sale price is around $730,000, with properties fetching around $1.7 million on the higher end and $475,000 on the lower end. Suarez says that when a home is priced right, it will receive multiple offers. "Sellers have had to adjust expectations since the price spike brought about by the pandemic, but buyers are still seeking the lifestyle our area affords."
One restaurant in town and plenty of options a few miles away
Dish at Dover Bay draws people in for its seasonal menu, full bar and lake views. A trail connects residents to Sandpoint's downtown area for more options. "It's a resort destination for the whole country," says Kent Anderson, a Realtor specializing in the area who works for Coldwell Banker Resort Realty. "The shopping and restaurants really cater to that. People come in expecting to have an ambiance." Restaurants meet wide-ranging tastes, from Indian to Thai to Mexican, Americana and Italian. Panhandle Cone & Coffee serves homemade ice cream, including a vegan option and a rotating seasonal flavor. Locals can dock their boats and dine at Spud's Waterfront Grill, where signature baked potatoes, soups, salads and sandwiches are on the menu. They can see a show at the local community theater, followed by cocktails at Barrel 33. Yokes Fresh Market, Winter's Ridge Natural Foods and Safeway are all downtown. Anderson says most shopping is on First Avenue, including the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market, which has niche boutiques such as Ask Fashions, Vintage Revival and Verdant Plant Shop.
Nature and seasonal events bring the community together
Dover devotes 20% of its land to open space, giving native plants, animals and beneficial insects a chance to thrive. In 2024, the town became an official Monarch City for its efforts to support the species and residents recognize the first week of June as Pollinator Week. Nearby Sandpoint is a hotspot of activity when the weather's warm. "The summer brings an event each weekend, from art festivals to boat shows, and there's a fantastic farmers market on Saturdays and Wednesdays," Suarez says.
Walking or taking the highway
U.S. Highway 2 flows through the heart of Dover, adjacent to an active railroad. The town's compact nature and its trails make navigating on bike or foot possible.
Solid schools that respond to students wishes
Dover's students attend the Lake Pend Oreille School District, and Idaho has a universal school choice program. Northside Elementary School earns an A-minus on Niche, Sandpoint Middle School gets a B-plus, and Sandpoint High School maintains a B. A district-wide survey revealed that more than 270 students expressed interest in an Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. Most attended Sandpoint High School, so the school organized to debut its own program in 2025.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
