Idaho Travel Council | Page 54

Arco Rural Living at its Best! Because of its unique location, Arco can offer both the benefits of a rural lifestyle and the amenities of the “Big City.” Arco itself is a town with a population of 1,200, with another 2,000 people living in the surrounding county. It is situated at the junction of Highways 20/26 and Hwy 93, which makes it the natural hub of a very large area. The town has schools, a hospital, and all the businesses needed to serve the daily needs of residents. In addition, with the larger cities of Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls and Sun Valley all located within a one to two hour drive of Arco, all of the amenities of city life can be quickly accessed. Living in Arco or surrounding areas means being able to fish the Big Lost River in the morning, shop at the mall in Idaho Falls or one of the other cities nearby in the afternoon, and still see the sunset over the Pioneer Mountains in the evening. Butte County Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 837 Arco, ID 83213 (208) 527-3060 ext. 10 www.buttecountychamber.com Arco Calendar of Events May Memorial Day – Spring Fling on King June King Mountain Car & Tractor Show July 4th of July Parade August Butte County Fair September Labor Day Weekend – Annual Paragliding Competition December 1st weekend of December – Festival of Trees Challis Challis originally served as a trading center for the area’s mining communities. After the mining went bust, it became a cattle ranching town. In the late 1960s a molybdenum deposit was discovered a few miles from town and mining returned. Molybdenum can withstand extreme temperatures making it useful in applications that involve intense heat, including the manufacture of aircraft parts and electrical contacts. 52 Challis is located in central Idaho along the Salmon River drainage, and next to the beautiful Salmon/Challis National Forest which encompasses some of the most pristine wilderness in the continental United States. The area attracts families, campers, hikers, anglers and hunters. Challis Chamber of Commerce 632 E. Main Ave. Challis, ID 83226 (208) 879-2771 challis Calendar of Events March Steelhead Derby April Steelheaders’ Ball May Challis Mountain Lilac Festival June Challis Mountain Lilac Festival Show & Shine Car Show July North Custer Rodeo August Braun Brothers Reunion Concert Festival Weekend September Bayhorse ATV Event October Harvest Wine Testing November Holiday Bazaar December Annual Town Christmas Tree Lighting and Concert Clayton Clayton, Idaho was the premier silver producing area of the state from 1880 to 1984. Today, the world's largest producer of lube grade molybdenum, which is also used as a hardener in the production of steel, is located at the Thompson Creek Mining facility in the Clayton area. The production of beef is still a major endeavor in the area. Clayton is situated on The Salmon River Scenic Byway (Highway 75) that runs from Twin Falls through Sun Valley, and past the Sawtooth Mountains and Stanley through the Upper Salmon River Canyons. It has become a favorite stopping point for tourists wanting to learn more about early mining towns, as well as a sportman's paradise. (www.claytonidaho.org) Leadore The town of Leadore dates from 1910, when the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad was constructed from Armstead, Montana over Bannock Pass and into the Lemhi Valley. Though the railroad ceased operating in 1939, Leadore has remained the largest town in the immediate area. In 2001 a replica of the town's old railway station was constructed in Leadore. The new building serves as the town's community center. IDAHO Travel and Recreation Guide