Points of Interest

Northwest Passage Scenic Byway

The Northwest Scenic Byway begins at Lewiston, Idaho and follows Highway 12 to the Idaho/Montana border. The byway splits at Kooskia,  south on State Highway 13 to Grangeville, and continues east on US Hwy 12 along the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River and the Lochsa Wild and Scenic River through the majestic wilderness route that Lewis and Clark followed in 1805.

The highway from Lewiston to Montana is a winding 2-lane road with occasional passing zones and slow vehicle turnouts. You will want to allow at least 4 hours to travel the 202 miles. Winter driving conditions may be icy and snow covered. Click here for Road Conditions.

Attractions

Lewiston:Nez Perce National Historical Park-Spalding Visitor's Center, Nez Perce County Historical Museum, Hells Gate State Park, Lewis and Clark Center for Arts and History

Orofino: Dworshak Dam, Dworshak Fish Hatchery, Dworshak State Park, Clearwater Fish Hatchery, Canoe Camp-Orofino, Clearwater Historical Museum, Clearwater National Forest

Kamiah/Kooskia: Kooskia Ranger Station, Heart of the Monster, Long Kamp Interpretive Center, Lewis County Exhibit Hall, Musselshell Meadows, The Forest Service has several lookouts and cabins for rent

Grangeville/Cottonwood Prairie: Bicentennial Historical Museum, The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude, Mammoth Exhibit, Seven Tepees, Wolf Education and Research Center

Services

Full services in Lewiston, Orofino, Kamiah, Kooskia, Grangeville
Partial services at Stites, Syringa, Lowell and Powell.
Rest areas at Lenore and Lolo Pass
RV Waste Disposal Station at Orofino on Highway 12

Year-Round Activities and Attractions

Camping, boating, fishing, hunting, whitewater rafting, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling

• Campgrounds can be found along the roadway and in the surrounding areas.-Lewiston, Myrtle, Orofino, Kamiah, Kooskia, Grangeville, and Lowell. Forest Service and BLM campsites along the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers.
• 3 RV Parks in Orofino
• Camping along Dworshak Reservoir
• Elk River has 64 camping sites along Elk Creek Pond, 23 improved sites at the Forest Service campground, and a RV Park with 24 sites; RV park with 15 sites in Bovill.
• Forest lands along the byway are open to off road unimproved camping so visitors can choose their own spot off the beaten path.
• Winter provides snowmobiling on 300 miles of skiing on 20 miles of regularly maintained groomed trails.
• Wildlife - bear, bobcats, cougar, deer, elk, osprey, songbirds, wild turkeys, possibly wolves

Educational Activities

• Lewis and Clark History
• Nez Perce Indian History
• Logging History
• Gold Mining History
• Museums
• Dworshak Fish Hatchery and Dworshak Dam Visitor's Center