A roadside sign for Northwest Passage Scenic Byway. — Lolo Pass along the Idaho/Montana border. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Petroglyphs on a boulder. — Buffalo Eddy Petroglyphs, Buffalo Eddy Trail, Nez Perce National Historical Park near Lewiston. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

The Northwest Passage Scenic Byway winding along the Snake River in Hells Canyon at Hells Gate State Park. — Snake River along the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway, Hells Gate State Park, near Lewiston. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Exterior of the Lewis and Clark Discovery Center. — Lewis and Clark Discovery Center, Hells Gate State Park, Lewiston. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

A roadside sign for Lolo Trail Crossing. — Lolo Pass along the Idaho/Montana border. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Selway River with mountain backdrop — Selway River (Selway Falls), near Syringa Region: 2 - North Central Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism

An aerial view of the Heart of the Monster site, surrounded by a sprawling field and a tree-covered hill off the side. — Heart of the Monster, Nez Perce National Historical Park, near Kamiah. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Aerial view of the town of Grangeville. — Town of Grangeville. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

View of the town of Kamiah. — Town of Kamiah. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Aerial view of Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor Center. — Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor Center near Spalding. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Log cabin surrounded by trees and grass. — Lochsa Historical Ranger Station near Kooskia. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Aerial view of a snowy canyon beside a road. — Lolo Pass on the Idaho/Montana border. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

An aerial shot from over the Clearwater River and the town of Lewiston with the sun shining above. — The town of Lewiston and the Clearwater River. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Signage for the Heart of the Monster. — Heart Of The Monster, Nez Perce National Historical Park near Kamiah. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Seven people with red helmets sit in a blue raft for whitewater rafting. — Lochsa River, near Syringa. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

A person walks on a dirt path through tall trees and dense green forest. — DeVoto Memorial Cedar Grove near the Idaho/Montana border. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Roadside sign for Devoto Memorial Cedar Grove in the Clearwater National Forest. — Devoto Memorial Cedar Grove near the Idaho/Montana border. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

A Nez Perce woman stands at the edge of a jet boat. — Saqánpa Hells Canyon Jet Boat Tour. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

Northwest Passage Scenic Byway

Known as Idaho’s longest byway, Northwest Passage Scenic Byway follows the route Meriwether Lewis and William Clark took through north central Idaho in 1803. Traverse the winding Clearwater River Canyon and see the beautiful blue blooms of the Camas Prairie. Visit the numerous Nez Perce historical sites along this route to understand the importance of Indigenous people in this region.

Length

202 miles,
325 km

Time

4 hours,
40 minutes

Region

North Central Idaho

When to Visit

Year-round

31 Byways. 31 Ways to Be Inspired.

A variety of scenic, natural, historic, recreational, archeological and cultural experiences can be found on Idaho’s 31 scenic byways. View the video to get a taste of the adventures that await you, and start planning your next road trip.

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Road Trip Tips

Turn-by-Turn Directions: Begins in Lewiston and follows U.S. 12 northeast to the Idaho-Montana border for 175 miles, allow 4 hours; also follows Idaho 13 from Kooskia to Grangeville and the junction of U.S. 95, allow 40 minutes.

Road Conditions: Idaho 13 and U.S. 12 are winding, two-lane, paved roads with occasional passing lanes and slow vehicle turnouts. Winter driving conditions may include black ice in the canyons and snow-covered roads at higher elevations.

Full Services in: Lewiston, Orofino, Kamiah, Kooskia and Grangeville
Partial Services in: Stites, Syringa, Lowell and Powell

Motorcycle Route: Yes

Full Services: When gas, food and lodging are available
Partial Services: When gas and a few other facilities are available