Statewide - Idaho

« Lewis and Clark
No visit to north central Idaho is
complete without exploring Highway
12, the Northwest Passage Scenic
Byway, which meanders along the
Lochsa and Clearwater rivers. High
above the rivers on mountain ridges is
the most pristine section of the Lewis
and Clark Trail. According to Stephen
Ambrose, author of “Undaunted
Courage,” it is much the same as
when the expedition passed through
this area more than two hundred
years ago. After an exhausting
monthlong trek across the Bitterroot
Mountains in Montana and Idaho,
the expedition arrived at Weippe
Prairie in September of 1805, weary
and starving. The Nez Perce Tribe
welcomed the strangers and ensured
their survival. They were considered
the most hospitable tribe the party
encountered. To learn more about the
Nez Perce history and culture, stop
at any one of the 38 sites in the Nez
Perce National Historical Park, the
only national park that celebrates a
people instead of a place. The Park
headquarters at Spalding has an impressive
museum and visual presentation,
and is a good place to get an
overview of sites that you may want
to visit. Learn even more about this
historic exploration of the mountainous
American West at the Lewis and
Clark Discovery Center at Hells Gate
State Park in Lewiston.
lewisandclarkidaho.org
« Discover streams of consciousness »
Lower Salmon River
White bird and Riggins
Between White Bird and Riggins, you’ll
follow the mighty Salmon River flowing
through the valleys and canyons
it carved through the mountains. This
area is Idaho’s whitewater capital,
prime for rafting, kayaking, and jet
boating.
From White Bird, you can drive into
Hells Canyon at Pittsburg Landing,
a picnic area and boat launch on the
Snake River. Riggins has numerous
river outfitters and is an adventurous
place to stay, providing a casual smalltown
atmosphere. It is the closest town
to Heaven’s Gate, a viewing point into
Hells Canyon—North America’s deepest
river gorge—in the Seven Devils
Mountains. Inquire locally before
driving up since the elevation is more
than 8,407 feet, and the road can be
challenging.
If you’re in Riggins in early June,
plan on the Big Water Blow Out River
Festival, as this whitewater capital
celebrates the beginning of the season
with discounted outfitter trips on the
Salmon River.
Fishing enthusiasts will love the area’s
steelhead runs in both spring and fall.
Idaho is the only inland western state
with ocean-run salmon and steelhead.
For more information, visit: Idaho Fish
and Game—fishandgame.idaho.gov,
Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing
Board—oglb.idaho.gov, or Idaho Outfitters
and Guides Association—ioga.org
visitidaho.org |
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Selway River
Hells Canyon
Lochsa River Hot Springs
Steelhead trout
Clearwater National Forest