TOUR 4

The Lewiston to Camas Prairie Loop 

The deep canyons and high plateaus along this route are all part of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, heart of the traditional Nez Perce homeland. For many centuries the rich upland meadows supplied the Indians with deer, elk and camas bulbs. During winter, the Indians moved to the mild climate of the river valleys, near the present location of Lewiston. 

In the 1860's, large numbers of miners, loggers and homesteaders came to the land of the Nez Perce. Lewiston's location at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers made it a logical choice as Idaho's first capitol in 1863. The Lewiston-Clarkston Valley continues to be an important shipping center and Lewiston has become Idaho's seaport city. 

Lewiston is also the gateway to Hells Canyon, North America's deepest canyon. The free-flowing Snake River thunders through Hells Canyon in a wilderness gorge more than one mile deep. A whitewater adventure into the canyon is an exciting and unforgettable experience. Many local outfitters offer a variety of jet boat and float trips. The Lewiston Chamber of Commerce and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area office can give you detailed information. Swimming and boating are just a few minutes from Lewiston at Hells Gate State Park. The 960 acre park features a sandy beach, a modern campground and a full service marina as well as hiking and horseback riding. 

If you like to fish, the confluence of the rivers is one of the most productive steelhead fishing areas in Idaho. Both the Snake and the Clearwater have fall and winter seasons. You won't want to miss the Tsceminicum sculpture and visitor center at the confluence of the rivers. Translated from Nez Perce, Tsceminicum means "the meeting of the waters." The sculpture honors Nez Perce heritage with a symbolic Earth Mother from whose hands the rivers flow. Lewiston's greenbelt pathway along the river shore invites a leisurely stroll or bike ride among shade trees, grassy slopes and small waterfowl ponds. If your visit to Lewiston is early in May, you can enjoy the Dogwood Festival, a celebration of springtime. Later in May, America's top college baseball teams gather at Lewis-Clark State College for the NAIA World Series; September brings the Lewiston Roundup, one of the Northwest's largest rodeos. Don't miss the Luna House Museum, named after Lewiston's first hotel. South of Lewiston on U.S. 95, a highway sign marks the boundary of the Nez Perce Reservation. 

The Nez Perce National Historical Park at Spalding is a tribute to the history and culture of the Nez Perce people. Interpretive displays in the visitor center use original artifacts and symbolic handicrafts to tell the story of Idaho's native inhabitants. A self-guided trail from the visitor center leads to the site of the 1838 Spalding Mission. Turn-of-the-century Watson's Store and the 1880's Spalding Church are among the other historical features you will see here. 

Further south, Lapwai is the center of Nez Perce tribal government. Native Americans from many tribes gather at Lapwai several times each year to compete in colorful traditional dance contests. These include the E-Peh-Tees Championship War Dance in March, the Chief Joseph Warriors Memorial in June and the Four Nations Pow Wow in October. Just south of Lapwai, a side road leads to St. Joseph Mission, built by the Nez Perce in 1874. 

Near Culdesac, the highway begins a long ascent through forested canyons to the high Camas Prairie. The wooden railroad trestles you see on the steep hillsides were originally built in 1907 and have been the scene of two Hollywood movies. 

A turn off from U.S. 95 takes you to the small community of Winchester. The large replica of a Winchester rifle above Main Street reminds visitors how this old logging town got its name. Nearby is Winchester Lake State Park with fishing, camping and picnicking among three-hundred-year-old Ponderosa pines. In winter, there is ice fishing, ice skating and cross-country skiing. The Craig Mountain region, a few miles to the west, has more than one-hundred miles of snowmobile trails.   Winchester is also the home of the Wolf Education and Research Center, (WERC) where you can view the Sawtooth Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce.

Back on the main highway, the view opens up to the wide expanse of the Camas Prairie. In August long rows of combines bring in the crops of peas and wheat. At Craigmont, Highway 64 leaves U.S. 95 and leads through rolling wheat fields to the small farming town of Nezperce. From Nezperce, highways lead to Kamiah and Orofino, providing you with a scenic shortcut back to the Clearwater Valley, thousands of feet below. These routes are well maintained, but they are steep, marrow and without guardrails. For those who enjoy a real birds-eye-view, these roads offer first-class driving adventure. 

South on U.S. 95 is the cool shade of Lawyer's Canyon. This small picnic area along a forest stream is a great place to stop for lunch. A nearby monument pays tribute to Lawyer, an early Nez Perce leader. Cottonwood began as a cattle roundup center in the 1880's. St. Gertrude's Museum, three miles west of town, gives an interesting glimpse of pioneer life. An enjoyable side trip from Cottonwood is the drive to the Big Pine Bar Recreation Area on the Salmon River. A primitive shelter, called Weis Rockshelter, was used by the Indians over eight-thousand years ago. The Bureau of Land Management office in Cottonwood is a good place to stop for Salmon River information. 

The Cottonwood Buggywhip Festival and Tractor Pull Contest is an unusual and enjoyable spectator event held each July. During winter, the Cottonwood Butte Ski Area is perfect for beginning and intermediate skiers. The festival also plays host to an annual Men's and Women's softball tournament, attracting teams from throughout the state.

Highway U.S. 95 continues south across the Camas Prairie to Grangeville. The easiest return to Lewiston is on Highways 13 and 12, along the Clearwater River. Or you can continue on U.S. 95 into the Salmon River Country around Riggins. 

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