Northwest Passage Scenic Byway
Department of Transportation.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition journeyed through north-central Idaho 200 years ago in search of the Northwest Passage. The sparkling rivers, deep canyons, and rugged mountains they encountered are relatively unchanged. Experience the culture, recreation, and scenery in this breathtaking land of the Nez Perce.
Directions
Getting to the Byway:
Missoula, MT
- Take US-93 to Lolo, MT.
- Get on US-12 and go west to Lolo Pass where you enter the byway.
Portland, OR
- Take I-84 east to Exit 179, there go north on I-82 toward Umatilla.
- Take US 730 east to US 12 near Wallula, Washington.
- Follow US 12 east through Walla Walla, Dayton, and Clarkston. Continue across Snake River on US 12 and follow the byway through Lewiston.
Navigating the Byway:
Formerly called the Clearwater Canyons Scenic Byway, Idaho's
Northwest Passage Scenic Byway is a 90-mile corridor through some
of the most scenic and historic country in the United States. The
Byway follows US 12 from Spalding along the Clearwater River to
Kooskia, Idaho. From there it follows Idaho State Highway 13 to
Grangeville.
The byway is located equidistant between Boise, ID, Spokane, WA,
and Missoula, MT in a region called North Central Idaho. Allow 1
hour and 30 minutes for a straight drive; however, if you want to
visit and explore some of the Lewis and Clark and Nez Perce
historical sites, give yourself more time.
