Saint Anthony offers unique recreation and proximity to larger cities
Idaho is known for its mountains and rivers, but the rural community of Saint Anthony offers access to one of the state’s most unique sites. The St. Anthony Sand Dunes are 10,000 acres of white quartz sand about 10 miles away. “Saint Anthony has a nice recreational aspect with the sand dunes being nearby, plus river access for fishing," says Dallas Hill, an agent with Silvercreek Realty with six years of experience. "It’s a little bit more rural, so there’s an agricultural aspect as well. It’s out in the country and more spaced out." Saint Anthony is on U.S. Route 20 in Eastern Idaho. In addition to the recreational options, residents can find all their daily necessities in town, while larger cities like Rexburg and Idaho Falls offer more options for shopping, employment and education.
Established and new-build homes in Eastern Idaho
Homes in Saint Anthony range from established ranch styles and cottages to 21st-century New Traditional houses. Most residences are close together on small lots connected by sidewalks. A mix of pines and leafy trees line the streets, providing shade and natural beauty throughout the area. On the edges of the community, some homes sit on large lots of about an acre. Houses built before 2000 typically cost between $170,000 and $410,000. Newer builds range from $270,000 to $500,000.
Sand dunes and rivers offer outdoor fun
Saint Anthony provides a broad mix of recreation. The dunes are popular for off-highway vehicles, including dirt bikes, four-wheelers and UTVs. Other activities include hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. One of the country's largest herds of elk winters at the dunes; much of the area is designated as a wilderness study area. Egin Lakes Campground is on the south side of the dunes, offering a home base for visitors making an overnight trip. City parks, like Saint Anthony Sandbar, have room for recreation closer to home. This small green space on the banks of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River has a sandy area for swimming, a water slide and a playground. There are also several spots along the river where anglers can cast a line hoping to reel in a rainbow trout. Other parks around town include baseball fields, playgrounds and basketball courts.
Bridge Street is the place to be for shopping and dining
Bridge Street is home to many shops and restaurants in Saint Anthony. Hill recommends Big J’s Pizza & Burgers, a casual spot with an old-school letterboard menu known for its milkshakes. Crissy’s Chicken is another casual eatery serving sandwiches and chicken strips. Despite being a small community of around 4,000 people, Saint Anthony has residents covered for most of their shopping. “You can get anything you need in Saint Anthony. There’s a Broulim’s grocery store, a hardware store, a tax accounting place and an insurance place. There’s Grand Peaks Medical Care and dental care,” Hill says. Other locally owned businesses include InstaGear Outdoor Co., which sells bikes and camping equipment.
Free meals and block parties bring the community together
Saint Anthony hosts multiple annual events that bring neighbors together. The Fisherman’s Breakfast takes place in May at Keefer Park and features a free meal of pancakes, sausage and potatoes. The event started in the 1950s when local restaurants served free breakfasts to travelers passing through at the beginning of the fishing season. Summerfest is a block party on Bridge Street in August with food, live music and art. Stores on the street often have special sales during this event.
South Fremont High School provides a broad range of courses
Henry’s Fork Elementary School earns a B-minus rating from Niche, while South Fremont Junior High School receives a C-plus. South Fremont High School gets a B and has a wide variety of courses available. All students must take one economics class and two humanities courses to graduate. The school also allows students to choose a career interest that helps tailor their courses, including industries like ranching, STEM, medicine and business.
Commuting around Eastern Idaho on Highway 20
U.S. Route 20 is the area's main highway, offering a 14-mile drive southwest to Rexburg. Idaho Falls is about 40 miles away via Route 20. Hill says it’s common for people to commute to those cities for work. Saint Anthony's small size and abundant sidewalks make it easily walkable.
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Matthew Atkins
