Recreation in North Central Idaho

Article courtesy of Visit North Central Idaho - http://www.visitnorthcentralidaho.org

Recreation

Camp, fish, hunt, hike, bike, boat, raft, bird watch, view wildlife, photograph, snowmobile, ski, snow-shoe, experience life and nature in a region with possibly the most public land in the lower 48. This is home to four wilderness areas; Frank Church, Selway-Bitterroot, Gospel Hump and Hells Canyon. Two National Forests; Nez Perce and Clearwater, and one National Recreation Area; Hells Canyon. The deepest river gorge in North America; Hells Canyon, and the second deepest river gorge in North America; Salmon River Canyon. The Salmon River of No Return is also the longest free flowing river in the lower 48.

Arts & Culture

Let your senses run wild on The Palouse where you can experience the best Farmer’s Market east of the Cascades in Moscow. Also home to the Univeristy of Idaho this college town is tucked into the rolling hills of some of the most incredible farm county in the USA. Walk through the unique downtown area and you’ll have the chance to experience coffee shops, art galleries, museums, shopping plus the Camas Prairie Winery, Idaho’s oldest independent winery. Learn about the origins of the Appaloosa Horse at a museum dedicated entirely to its existence, Appaloosa Horse Museum.

Trace the steps of Lewis & Clark from their journey to the Pacific and learn about their friendship with the oldest residents of this region the Nez Perce Tribe. You can learn about their experiences at the numerous museums and historical sites in the area. The Nimiipuu or Nez Perce have lived among the rivers, canyons and prairies of the inland northwest. Despite the cataclysmic change of the past two centuries, the Nez Perce are still here. Explore the Nez Perce National Historical Park’s twenty-four sites and experience the story of a people who are still part of this landscape.

Road Trips

Scenic Byways and Drives are peppered throughout the region. Some of the drives are the same as they were the day they were built over a hundred years ago, like the Elk City Wagon Road. Other’s such as the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway- All American Road and part of the Top 10 Scenic Drives of the Northern Rockies, is a main thoroughfare for east-west traffic. See the entire list and details in the Scenic Byways & Drives section.