Road Trip Through the Grandeur of North Central Idaho

Start your day with a gentle 5.5-kilometer hike to the summit of Kamiak Butte, just a short drive from downtown Moscow. Sweeping views of the Palouse Hills below make for year-round, rewarding vistas of both Washington and Idaho that stretch as far as the eye can see. After your hike, spend the rest of your day discovering local businesses in Moscow’s adorable downtown area. Check out the recently relocated and expanded Northwest River Supplies (NRS) Flagship Store. A local staple since 1972, NRS is chock-full of all the water sports equipment and apparel adventurers need, as well as some fun souvenirs. Once you‘ve geared up at NRS, continue meandering through Moscow’s historic Main Street. You’ll find tree-lined streets with quaint shops and charming restaurants such as Maialina Pizzeria Napoletano, where you can dine al fresco on Neapolitan wood-fired pizza under a canopy of romantic string lights.

Rise and shine, then drive an easy 45 minutes from Moscow to Lewiston, stopping at the Lewiston Hill Overlook along the way. Here, you'll take in sweeping, panoramic views of Lewiston, as well as the winding Snake and Clearwater Rivers. Plan to spend the rest of the morning hiking at Hells Gate State Park. Grab a trail map to locate one of the park's most impressive sites, the twisted basalt columns, formed by volcanic flows over 14 million years ago. Another short drive away, delve into the region’s history and heritage at Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor Center, part of a sprawling national park that spans four states. Here, you’ll learn about Nimiipuu people, the highly adaptive and resourceful tribe who have always lived in this region. Check out the visitor center’s collection of Nimiipuu clothing, tools, weapons and ceremonial objects. Nearby in the Spalding area, you’ll find several other archaeologically and historically significant sites including the Watson's Store, the Indian Agency's cabin and agent's residence, and remnants of the Spalding Mission. Before you retire to Lewiston for the evening, enjoy a glass of wine in the late afternoon sun at Rivaura Winery, a multi-generational estate turned vineyard nestled in the stunning landscape of the Clearwater River valley.

The third leg of your trip takes you deeper into North Central Idaho. For avid fly-fishermen, there are plenty of fish to be caught near the beautiful town of Orofino on the Clearwater River. Accessing the river is as easy as finding a pullout and hopping in, but if you want the help of an expert, book an experienced guide to provide all the equipment and tips you need to successfully cast and hook trout, steelhead, salmon and bass. After fly-fishing, set off on another scenic hour-long drive from Kamiah to White Bird Battlefield Overlook, part of the Nez Perce National Historical Park and site of the opening battle of the Nez Perce War in 1877. You can find the trailhead on River Road at the bottom of the battlefield. Grab a trail booklet and take a self-guided hike to retrace the key points of this significant moment in U.S. history, while appreciating the epic views from the overlook. In the evening, plan to stay at a local ranch, where gourmet chefs, well-appointed rooms and beautiful surroundings make for a wonderfully rustic but luxurious home away from home.

For the last day of your trip, you’ll travel along the picturesque Highway 12 into Lowell and the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. Take a slower pace and enjoy the rugged, natural beauty as you cruise. Make sure to stop and stretch your legs at the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station for a local history lesson. This backcountry ranger station was in use from 1925 to the late 1950s and is now an interpretive site. Your next stop along Highway 12 is Devoto Cedar Grove – and you will know when you’ve arrived. Nestled among the already impressive Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Devoto Cedar Grove sets itself apart with its concentration of lush, towering cedar trees – some reaching up to 30 meters high and two meters in diameter. Revel in the heady scent of cedar as you marvel at each tree’s majesty. Rest for the night back at the ranch before driving three hours and catching your return flight out of Spokane International Airport the next day.