If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up by the lake, hopping on your boat within minutes, or biking along scenic trails that stretch for miles, Dover, Idaho might be calling your name. Just a few minutes from downtown Sandpoint, Dover offers a unique blend of small-town charm and full-scale resort-style amenities.
Moving to Dover? Download my FREE Relocation Guide here
Lake & Lifestyle
The heart of Dover is Dover Bay, a waterfront community that has become one of North Idaho’s most sought-after places to live. Here, lake recreation is a way of life. The Dover Bay Marina is home to 274 covered boat slips for seasonal moorage, complete with 24-hour fuel service, so your summer adventures are never on hold. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the Dish at Dover Bay, a waterfront restaurant perfect for casual meals after a day on the water.
But Dover isn’t just about the marina. The community offers a fitness center, a heated outdoor pool, a sandy beach, and a park with playground equipment for kids. Nine miles of scenic walking and biking trails weave through the area, making it easy to enjoy nature without leaving the neighborhood. And yes, there’s even a convenience store right in the community for last-minute essentials.
On the west side of Dover, two bridges cross the Pend Oreille River, and they’ve become local favorites. They’re perfect for a quiet walk with stunning views of the water, but in summer, you’ll often find kids and teens lined up, taking turns jumping into the river below. It’s one of those simple traditions that captures the spirit of life here.
To view homes for sale in Dover, Idaho, click here.
The beach is another highlight, and it’s more than just a sandy shoreline. Families gather here on warm afternoons to swim, push each other off the floating platform, and play lawn games on the grass. What surprises many people is that it never feels crowded, even in the middle of summer. It’s easygoing, it’s family-friendly, and it’s the kind of summer memory that keeps people coming back year after year.
Beyond the planned community of Dover Bay, the city of Dover itself has a character all its own. Classic homes along Lakeshore Avenue or 4th Street bring a sense of history and charm, offering buyers a mix of modern lakefront living and timeless small-town Idaho character.
Adding to the appeal is the setting itself. Dover sits in the Purcell Trench, framed by the Selkirk Mountains, which means nearly every view takes in forest, water, or peaks on the horizon. The town has been intentional about preserving its natural surroundings, setting aside roughly 20% of its land as open space to protect wildlife habitat and maintain the beauty that makes this area so special.
The Market: Correction and Bounce Back
Like much of North Idaho, Dover’s real estate market has seen its share of ups and downs over the past few years.
2022: Dover homes sold at a median price of $710,000, with an average of $532/sqft and 75 days on market.
2023: The market peaked, with the median price rising to $919,500 and $/sqft climbing to $579.
2024: A correction year, with median prices cooling to $732,450 and $/sqft down to $518.
2025 (year-to-date): The market is bouncing back. Median price is up to $832,500 and $/sqft has jumped to $593.
If you want to stay informed about the housing market trends in the Sandpoint area, click here.
One interesting detail is the consistency of sales. Each year, about 20 homes sell in Dover, and 2025 is already on track to hit that same number. Even when prices corrected in 2024, demand for Dover never really disappeared, a sign of the neighborhood’s long-term desirability and stability.
The data tells a clear story: Dover hit a high in 2023, corrected in 2024, and is now rebounding in 2025. Homes are taking longer to sell, rising from 75 days on market in 2022 to 123 in 2025, but buyer demand for lake access and luxury amenities is keeping values strong.
Why Buyers Love Dover
Life in Dover feels easy. Step outside and you’re connected directly to Lake Pend Oreille, whether that’s slipping your boat out of the marina or taking an evening walk along the shoreline. The amenities are built for lifestyle, with a heated pool in the summer, a fitness center year-round, miles of trails for biking or walking, and even a restaurant on the water when you don’t feel like cooking.
What makes it even more appealing is how everything is done for you. The HOA maintains the roads and landscaping, ensuring the entire community always looks clean and pristine. For many buyers, that peace of mind, knowing you can arrive and enjoy the lifestyle, is just as valuable as the lake access itself.
And all of this is just minutes from downtown Sandpoint, while still feeling like its own private retreat. Plus, you’re only a 30-minute drive to the clock tower at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, making skiing or summer mountain biking easily part of your weekend routine. Even closer, Pine Street Woods is less than 10 minutes away. Open year-round and free to the public, it offers miles of trails for every level, from beginner walks to challenging climbs, and it’s a favorite spot for mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and simply enjoying North Idaho’s outdoors.
To view homes for sale in Dover, Idaho, click here.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Dover?
Whether you’re relocating, looking for a second home, or thinking about selling your property, understanding the market is key. Dover offers a lifestyle that’s tough to beat, and with the market showing signs of strength after a correction, it’s an important time to have a strategy.
If you’d like to learn more about buying or selling in Dover, I’d be glad to share insights tailored to your situation.