Pioneer Historic Byway
Places to Visit
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Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge (ID)
Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge consists of 19,000 acres of marsh, open water, and grasslands at an elevation of 5,900 feet in the mountain-ringed Bear Lake Valley.
Location: The refuge is located 7 miles southwest of Montpelier. Drive 3 miles west of Montpelier on U.S. Highway 89. Turn south on the graveled Bear Lake County Airport Road. Drive 5 miles to the north entrance of the refuge.
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The January 29,1863 Bear River Massacre of 250 or more Native Americans, by Colonel Patrick Connor and his troops, occurred here. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.
Distance from byway: 2.5 mi / 4.0 km Directions: Proceed north 2.5 miles, 10 minutes, out of Preston on US 91 to Milepost 13.1.
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The Bear River flows through this ancient lava flow to create a unique gorge.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: One mile west of Grace's Center Street.
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Caribou Mountain, 9803 feet high, is viewed from SH 34 between Mileposts 85.0 and 91.9. Gold was discovered there in 1870. It created an economic boom for the region that went as far south as Salt Lake City.
Location: An ITD Historical Marker is located at Milepost 93.5 providing information.
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Caribou-Targhee National Forest (ID)
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest occupies over three million acres and stretches across southeastern Idaho, from the Montana, Utah, and Wyoming borders.
Location: In southeastern Idaho, on the borders of Montana, Utah and Wyoming.
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Established in 1879, this historic community on the Oregon Trail is a well preserved example of a small Mormon settlement. The town site features 23 historic buildings, many of them brick, built between 1884 and 1904.
Distance from byway: 20 mi / 32.2 km Travel time: 50 minutes Directions: Driving north on ID-34 from Grace go straight (north) through the US-30/ID-34 junction and stay on paved Caribou County road, Old Highway 30. It will swing to the left (west) and take you 10 miles to Bancroft, ID. At Bancroft, turn right on the paved County Road, Chesterfield Highway, cross the railroad tracks, and go 10 miles to PHB Site #9, Chesterfield Townsite.
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China Hat Geological Site (ID)
China Hat is a rhyolite dome known for its unusual shape.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: South of the Blackfoot Reservoir, two miles west of SR 34.
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Formation Springs Preserve (ID)
This unique geological area offers natural discovery to Byway travelers.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: East of SR 34 on Trail Creek Road (Forest Route 124) one mile to the preserve.
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Franklin Historic District (ID)
The oldest continually settled town in Idaho, Franklin was founded in 1860 by Mormon pioneers. Several original buildings stand in the historic district: the Relic Hall, the old ZCMI store, the Hatch House, and others.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Located on Main Street two blocks or so east of US-91.
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Geyser Park and Visitor Center (ID)
This small park in the heart of Soda Springs features the world`s only captive geyser.
Distance from byway: 0.5 mi / 0.8 km Travel time: 3 minutes Directions: In Soda Springs, turn left (north) onto Main Street. Drive 1.5 blocks to 1st South Street, which ends on the east side of Main Street. Turn left (west) into the driveway that runs next to the building. Drive 150 feet into the rear parking lot.
