Camas Prairie Activities

CAMAS PRAIRIE COUNTRY DRIVING TOURS

ELK CITY WAGON ROAD

Follow the historic Elk City Wagon Road from the community of Clearwater near Harpster to the Elk City townsite on the Nez Perce National Forest.

The Elk City Wagon Road follows the divide between the Middle Fork and South Fork of the Clearwater Rivers.

This route, mostly on low-standard, dirt roads, offers excellent vistas at Corral Hill Lookout, China Point, and Baldy Mountain.

The Elk City Wagon Road originated from the Southern Nez Perce Trail. It was constructed between 1894 and 1895 and was used as the main route to the gold fields near Elk City. Several way stations were built along the road in the late 1800s.

A brochure and map of the wagon road are available and signs interpret historic sites along the route. For a map and information, contact the Nez Perce National Forest headquarters in Grangeville (208) 983-1950. The road is 53 miles in length and takes approximately four to six hours to drive. Large RV's are not recommended.

SALMON AND SNAKE RIVER GORGE

For a beautiful drive in the Salmon River Country, take the adventure tour that shows you unbelievable views of both the Salmon and Snake River Gorges.

The trip length varies depending on how far you feel like going. Start either at Deer Creek Road (#493) near White Bird, Cow Creek Road (#242) near Lucile, or Race Creek Road (#241) near Riggins.

From any of these entry points, you can drive on gravel roads to the top of the divide for breathtaking vistas.

Large RV's are not recommended. For road conditions, stop by either the Slate Creek Ranger office at Slate Creek or the Nez Perce Forest Headquarters at Grangeville.

THE NEZ PERCE TRAIL

(Montana Road)

A unique driving experience unlike any other in the continental United States is along the historic Nez Perce Forest (#468) from Red River Ranger Station to Conner, Montana.

The "Montana Road" is the only roaded corridor through four million acres of wilderness. It is about 113 miles of native surface road requiring about eight hours of driving time.

Travelers could easily spend more time on the scenic road exploring trails and fishing along the streams and lakes along the way.

This road parallels the southern Nez Perce Indian trail, established by the Nez Perce for their travels between northern Idaho and western Montana. The trail later used by explorers, trappers, prospectors and early forest rangers.

In 1936, CCC road building crews from the Bitterroot and Nez Perce Forests constructed the road.

Except for improvement work in recent years, the road system essentially remains unchanged. Several campgrounds, trailheads and scenic vistas are along this route.

The trailheads access the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness to the south and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to the north.

Burn Knob Lookout and Salmon Mt. Lookout are both located within a 1.5 mile walk from the road.

Normally, the road is open to vehicles from mid-July to mid-October depending on the snow. For more information, contact the Red River Ranger District or Nez Perce Forest Headquarters office.

WHITE BIRD BATTLEFIELD

The first battle of the Nez Perce War of 1877 was fought here. Near White Bird, Idaho. In the winter of 1877, "non treaty" bands of Nez Perce Indians were given an ultimatum by the U.S. government to enter the newly established reservation.

The events that soon followed sparked the famous Nez Perce War of 1877. The White Bird Battlefield south of Grangeville is the site of the beginning of that war, a place where the U.S. Army was soundly thrashed by Nez Perce warriors.

The White Bird Battlefield is one of 24 sites that comprise the Nez Perce National Historic Park. An interpretive shelter on U.S. Highway 95 south of Grangeville provides a beautiful, panoramic view of the battle area.

A self-guided auto tour guide is available at the Nez Perce National Forest office at Grangeville or the Slate Creek Ranger Station at Slate Creek and locations at White Bird. A park map and tour guide can also be obtained at the Nez Perce National Historical Park located 11 miles east of Lewiston along U.S. Highway 95 south of Spalding, Id. You can also write the park for information at P.O. Box 93, Spalding, Idaho. 83551.

IDAHO'S NORTHWEST PASSAGE SCENIC BYWAY

In July of 1989, the Idaho Department of Transportation designated U.S. Highway 12 from Lewiston to Kooskia and Idaho State Highway 13 from Kooskia to Grangeville as Idaho's 10th scenic route-Idaho's Northwest Passage.

From this route and side roads branching out from it, you will be able to enjoy one of the most interesting and beautiful areas in Idaho.

A tour guide provides directions and fascinating details of the history, flora and fauna, geology and descriptive information. The guides and audio tapes are available at the Nez Perce Headquarters at Grangeville and Chamber of Commerce offices.

The scenic route takes you from an elevation of 700 feet near Lewiston to over 4000 feet on White Bird Summit near Grangeville.

Most of the route is a riverside drive along the main Clearwater and the South Fork of the Clearwater River.

The last few miles climbing up to Grangeville offers spectacular views out over the Camas Prairie, the South Fork Canyon and the back country beyond.

At the intersection of State Highways 13 and 14, you can take advantage of a fascinating side trip to the unique communities of Elk City, Red River and Dixie.

This beautiful drive into the backcountry exposes you to a bit of Idaho's colorful past as well as outstanding recreational opportunities.

As you travel the route, be sure to take note of the canyon walls towering above you over two thousand feet high. Be sure to explore the sideroads also.

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