Map of the RegionBack to Idaho Regions Page
Map of the Region
Back to Idaho Regions Page
North Central Idaho is quintessential Americana - with its quaint small towns, majestic landscapes and biscuits and gravy country flavor.
The Palouse wheat country is a sea of "amber waves of grain" punctuated by bright yellow canola and lime-green pea fields. Beyond the Palouse, the wheat fields give way to endless ridges of emerald-green forests. The land here is "purple mountains majesty" with whitewater thrown in. You can see into four states and overlook the largest wilderness area in the lower 48. You can see the "River of No Return," the Salmon, join the mighty Snake River.
According to Nez Perce legend, the earth was created here - at a place near Kamaih.. When Lewis & Clark were led by Sacajawea over the Lolo Trail, the Americans found "the most hospitable people of their expedition" in Idaho's Nez Perce Tribe. Today, Highway 12 roughly follows the original path of Lewis & Clark, paralleling the Lochsa River through miles of pristine forest and finally into the heart of Nez Perce Territory. Be sure to visit the Nez Perce National Historic Park and Museum near Spaulding.
Steelhead, a popular sport fishing trout, hatch in Idaho's rivers, then make the journey to the Pacific Ocean, staying until they mature. They then return to Idaho's Salmon and Snake Rivers, and the many tributaries, to spawn. Whitewater rafting and jet boating are fine arts in North Central Idaho. From Riggins you can float the Main Salmon or the Lower Salmon. From Lewiston you can jet boat on the Snake River.
The Selway is Idaho's most private Wild and Scenic river. Only one launch is allowed each day, in order to protect the pristine beauty of the river as it passes through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The Lochsa River parallels the scenic Lolo Highway 12 northeast of Lowell, Idaho, along the route that Lewis and Clark followed. The highway, however, is hardly visible from the river which is bordered by a cedar forest.
One of the oldest museums in Idaho, St. Gertrude's, near Grangeville, is well worth a stop. Established in 1907, the monastery and its grounds are listed on The National Register of Historic Places.
For 70 miles along the Snake River between Idaho and Oregon lies Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge. Looking down upon the canyon are the mighty Seven Devils Mountains, an awe-inspiring range that crests over 1-1/2 miles above the river, making it a chasm deeper than the Grand Canyon.
You can see the canyon from several viewpoints. The best is Heaven's Gate Lookout, west of Riggins, up Forest Road #517. The road turns off Highway 95, one mile south of Riggins You can see most of the canyon as well as parts of Oregon, Washington, Montana and the great wilderness area of the Central Idaho Rockies. The 30 alpine lakes nestled among the Seven Devils provide pristine havens for hiking, backpacking and horseback riding. Also, there are many guided trips on jet boats or floats that are available from an Idaho licensed and bonded outfitter and guides. Trips range from one to six days and feature a variety of amenities. Call In Idaho at 1-888-844-3246 for more information.
Dworshak Dam near Orofino is the largest straight-axis dam in North America and its reservoir has 54 miles of tree-lined shore. Don't forget your fishing gear.
The abundance of the land attracted more and more settlers, many of whom were farmers and loggers. Towns along the rivers grew. Lewiston became the capital city of the new Idaho Territory and still remains a vital link in Idaho's economy. The city of Moscow was selected as home to the new territory's land-grant college. Today, the University of Idaho's stained glass and Gothic spires evoke the feeling of a New England college town.
Copy on this page used by permission from the Idaho Recreation & Tourism Initiative
This page updated on Sunday, June 16, 2002