Salmon River Scenic Byway

State: Idaho
Length: 161.7 mi / 260.2 km
Time to Allow: Allow 3.5 hours

The Salmon River Scenic Byway begins near the Montana border at the 6,995-foot-high Lost Trail Pass. Lewis and Clark were forced to come this way in 1805 when their native guide lost the trail. The spectacular view from this vantage point has changed little since those travelers explored the West many years ago.

This route to Stanley follows the Salmon River through the Salmon and Challis National Forests. The river and its forks serve as important natural pathways into Idaho’s rugged back country. The deer, elk and moose that often graze along the hills and meadows that line this road provide a glimpse of what is found in the wild country beyond.

Stories

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  Salmon River Scenic Byway Overview

  Oct 20, 2006

  As you explore the vast expanses of rooftops and asphalt in much of the West, it's often difficult to picture it as the wild, virtually untouched landscape first discovered by European descendants in the early 1800s. Traveling the Salmon River Scenic Byway, however, doesn't require the same stretch of imagination. You'll visit locales discovered during Lewis and Clark's legendary expedition and walk in their footsteps through stunning mountain environments untrammeled by human development. Tread lightly as you encounter history, scenery and outdoor adventure.