Scenic Byway

U.S. Route 12 from Lewiston, ID to Montana

"AMERICA'S 9 TH BEST MOTORCYCLE ROAD." - AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOC.

Rolling over 176 miles from Lewiston, Idaho, across the Snake River and up to the Montana state line at Lolo Pass, Route 12 is known as the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway because it roughly follows the route that Lewis and Clark pioneered back in the day. Fully of valley sweepers, high-mountain passes and incredible views, it’s an easier, but no-lessspectacular, route today.

This beautiful byway is the easiest way to trace the Lewis and Clark Expedition route along the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail lies on the mountainous ridges above the rivers in this land of the Nez Perce Indians. This byway follows the water route Lewis and Clark sought but were unable to navigate.

From the west this beautiful route begins at the Washington state line on Hwy 12 and traverses the winding Clearwater River Canyon, passing through the Nez Perce National Historical Park areas of Spalding and Kamiah and the towns of Lenore, Orofino, Kamiah, and Kooskia. At Kooskia, the byway splits, with one route continuing on Hwy 13 south to the Camas Prairie and the town of Grangeville, while another heads east on Hwy 12 along the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River and the Lochsa Wild and Scenic River, toward the Montana border.

Lewiston to Montana: 176 miles, 4 hours. Kooskia to Grangeville: 26 miles, 40 minutes.