An incredibly diverse and scenic swath of Idaho, bordered by Washington to the west and Montana to the east, North Central Idaho boasts crystal-clear rivers, endless forests, and soaring mountains. Lewis and Clark crossed the rugged Bitterroot Mountains into the homeland of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce).
From the historic and cultural opportunities of the Palouse and Camas Prairie regions, through the world class fishing and epic whitewater rafting of the Lewis-Clark Valley, Salmon River, and Hells Canyon area, to the wild and rugged 4 million acres of wilderness in the Clearwater region, North Central Idaho has it all.
Things To Do
Below is a quick summary of the many things to do in the North Central Idaho area. Click here for a more complete calendar of upcoming North Central Idaho events.
Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
See a Shakespearean play on a warm summer evening; experience the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival; check out a western rodeo; or watch a local play in a historic theatre.
Scenic Byways and Drives
Relax as you are led through high country meadows, into dense forests of pine, across mountain passes and through majestic river canyons. Trace the steps of Lewis and Clark, discover the diversity of the landscape, or glimpse wildlife in their natural habitat.
Fishing & Hunting
North Central Idaho is legendary for its fishing and it's no wonder. The Nez Perce people have fished from these clear waters since the beginning of time. Lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs?it's your choice.
Guided Jet Boat Tours & Whitewater Rafting
North Central Idaho has the whitewater you're looking for from a gentle drift to a white-water roller coaster ride. Trips range from a few hours to several days in un-tracked wilderness.
Wineries
Be among the first to experience some up-and-coming, but already award-winning wineries... and more!
Be sure to check out the complete calendar of upcoming North Central Idaho events.
Area Towns
Kamiah - Kooskia
Kamiah nestled on the banks of the Clearwater River is older than the recorded history of the West. Winter home to the Nez Perce Indians this is where they came to fish for steelhead, a staple in their diet and to manufacture “Kamia” ropes, hence the name Kamiah, meaning the place of "many rope litters."
This town serves as a hub for some of the best hunting and fishing in the United States. Kamiah is a unique blend of western, Victorian, and Nez Perce cultures. With the history of the Nez Perce there is a long list of historical attractions that tells the story of a rich past.
Lewis and Clark camped for several weeks during the early spring of 1806 in the Kamiah Valley waiting for the snow to melt before they could continue their journey.
Kooskia, just upriver from Kamiah, is located at the confluence of the South Fork and Middle Fork of the Clearwater River. This is the gateway to the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
Both towns are located along the Northwest Passage All American Road, one of the Top 10 scenic drives located in the Northern Rockies. Steeped in history and culture, surrounded by lush forests and public land, you can make your stay for as long as you have time. Lodging, campgrounds, restaurants, shopping and friendly folks will make visiting in the Clearwater Canyon a treasured memory.
Orofino
Orofino is the land of all seasons, and has something for everyone year round. This beautiful mountainous country is full of clear rivers, babbling brooks, and turquoise lakes. The equal distribution of all four seasons creates an ever-changing landscape. Orofino’s regional history follows Lewis and Clark, the early mining rushes (Orofino means “fine gold”) and the great lumber industry. Surrounded by wilderness areas on three sides, this land is truly a haven for those who desire the great outdoors highlighted by spectacular steelhead fishing in the Clearwater River.
Visitors will enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of Orofino, the rich culture, fantastic climate, and four seasons. Orofino is a sportsman’s paradise. There is snowmobiling, downhill or cross-country skiing in the winter. Fall, winter, and spring offer steelhead fishing in the Clearwater River. Summer activities include boating on Dworshak Reservoir and golfing one of several nearby courses. Hiking and taking in the breathtaking scenery is a fun activity any time of year. IN the autumn, hunting is at your back door with big game animals for the sportsman to enjoy. From Orofino you can access three of the 4 scenic byways, Elk River Backcountry Byway, Gold Rush Scenic Byway, or the Northwest Passage All American Road.
Take time to see Lewis and Clark and Nez Perce Tribe displays at the Clearwater Historical Museum. Stroll along the banks of the Clearwater River on the Orofino pathway, visit the downtown shops, enjoy a meal, and have a restful evening in a nice motel-hotel, a bed and breakfast, or at a nearby campground then head out the next morning for the backcountry.
While here be sure to visit the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery. It is the largest combination producer of steelhead trout and spring Chinook salmon in the world. Dworshak Dam is the tallest dam of its type in the Western Hemisphere and it creates a beautiful 54-mile long reservoir surrounded by lush forested mountains.
Visiting Orofino offers an experience you can take home with you and makes you long to return.
Riggins
Visit the Whitewater Capital of Idaho and gateway excursions on the Salmon "River of No Return," the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 
states. Or, explore the outdoors in Hells Canyon Recreation Area and the Seven Devils Mountains. Riggins lies between the two deepest gorges in North America and rides the banks of the Little Salmon River and the Salmon River.
Adventures east take you up the Salmon River to the "River of No Return" Wilderness, a name that the Indians used to warn Lewis and Clark; and also captured the spirit of Captain Guleke's adventures in his one-way scow trips. Turn west and adventures take you to the Snake River and Hells Canyon. This spectacular setting makes an ideal home base to explore areas of recreation, history and scenic beauty. If any place deserves its reputation as a year-round center for outdoor and vacation fun, it's Riggins!
The now friendly town of Riggins, was once known as "Gouge Eye" after a vicious saloon fight in which the obvious happened between a couple of rough and tumble citizens who came here in search of gold in the 1850's. Riggins now, named after John Riggins, the areas first mailman, is proud of its history, which is steeped, in ranching, mining, lumber and river activities.
In 1921, Field and Stream featured a story on Captain Harry Guleke who ran a wooden scow down the Salmon River from Salmon City to Lewiston. He would dismantle his boat, sell the wood for $5, buy a horse and head home. In 1936, he did an expedition for National Geographic down the same stretch. In 1990, to commemorate this feat, a group of outfitters built a replica and followed his trek down the river. The scow is now located at the City Park.
Fishing, jet boat adventures, white water rafting, hunting, history and scenic drives are a few of the great activities you can enjoy while in Riggins. With several restaurants, motels, and shopping added to the mix you would have an enjoyable stay and experience life in a true western town.
Grangeville
From snowmobiling, tubing, alpine and Nordic skiing in the winter to hiking and biking in late spring through October, Grangeville has something to excite your senses outdoors! Grangeville is a great launching point to enjoy outdoor recreation. Originally founded in the 1860’s as a commercial center to supply the mining camps at Florence and Buffalo Hump, today Grangeville is the hub of the agriculturally rich Camas Prairie. The surrounding Camas Prairie is named for the camas flowers native to the area. Grangeville sits adjacent to the Nez Perce National Forest and Gospel-Hump Wilderness Area, the South Fork of the Clearwater River, and within 30 minutes of the Salmon River and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
Whether you’re visiting Grangeville during the winter or summer months, immerse yourself in the outdoors with panoramic vistas and nature-filled adventure.
While here dare yourself to go on a whitewater rafting excursion down the Snake or Salmon Rivers or just take time out to go fishing with your favorite fly rod and find a honey hole full of steelhead or trout on the historic South Fork of the Clearwater River. If a guided trip is preferred the area offers wide variety of guided fishing trips on the rivers. Horse trail riding, ATV trail riding and many other outdoor adventures are available.
If you prefer more intellectual pursuits of a historical nature, pick from a long list of wonderful opportunities to learn more about the heritage and pastimes of this region. Grangeville’s Bicentennial Historical Museum, the great Mammoth Exhibit, or the nearby Monastery of St. Gertrude and Historical Museum.
Grangeville celebrates the American cowboy and its western heritage each Independence Day, through it annual Border Days. Partake in the three days of rodeo events, parades, eats, arts and crafts, family fun and more. Border Days rodeo is the oldest rodeo event in the state of Idaho.
