WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS IDAHO-MONTANA LOOP DRIVE

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Camping from tent to RV abounds. Lewis and Clark campsites are everywhere, mining history is rich and numeruous hot springs percolate. Cities from ghost towns to capitals. Best of all, the eight river canyons! Space permits only the briefest of desciption. You can make this drive in three long days, or three weeks and enjoy either. We allowed three weeks for this and the Big Hole Country (Coming Soon) together, taking many side trips as well. We chose to begin in Lewiston, Idaho a historic town near lovely camping at Kamiak Butte Country Park in Washington or in many quiet parks along the Snake River. From Lewiston hang a left on U.S. 12 along the drop dead gorgeous Clearwater River. Pass through Kamiah, and Kooskia, then branch onto Idaho Route 13, then Idaho 14 up the South Fork Clearwater all the way to Elk City, Idaho. Back track quickly to Kooskia and pick up U.S. 12 again heading east toward famous Lolo Pass into Montana. But first, bear right up the Selway River Canyon from the town of Lowell. If your driving a large RV, camp near Lowell, otherwise head on up for your choice of campgrounds. Back in Lowell, pick up U.S. 12 and follow the Clearwater ever higher into the Bitterrroot Mts. through scenic Lolo Pass and desend into Missoula, Montana! Now in the Bitterroot Valley, explore Missoula then meander down valley south along the Bitterroot River and U.S. 93 toward Darby. This is truly Big Sky Country. Continuing nearly over Lost Trail Pass and just short of the Idaho border, bear left on Montana 14 to begin the loop through Big Hole Country, otherwise continue south for the second half of this trip and visit farms, ranches, antiquing, and fabulous recreation with uncrowded camping. South on U.S. 93 at Northfork, turn down the Salmon River Road to visit the famous canyon Lewis and Clark could not penetrate. Watch Big Horn Sheep climb cliff sides. Then follow 93 on south through Challis (exploring Morgan Creek Road and the National Big Horn Sheep Range) to pick up SR 75 toward famous and picture perfect Stanley, Idaho. Past Stanely enroute to Lowman pick up the Payette River, following the Wildlife Scenic Byway to SR 55 where you again join the Salmon and head north through the sports meca of McCall. There pick up U.S. 95 North to Grangeville, home of the Nez Perce War monument, and cut back down the grade to Lewiston having begun and ended in the Idaho Palouse country.



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Clearwater River
 

Camping on the Clearwater
 

Gold Dredge Tailings
 

Red River Valley





Red River Natural Sculpture
 

Golden-Mantled Squirrel, Lolo Pass
 

St. Mary's Mission, Bitterroot Valley
 

Bitterroot Valley





Como Lake, MT
 

Salmon River Canyon
 

U.S. 93 Near Challis
 

Lost River Range





Stanley, Idaho
 

On the Payette River
 

Wildlife Scenic Byway
 

Nez Perce War Memorial


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Douglas Orton is a Seattle photographer of Nature, Lifestyle, Travel, and Portrait images.




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