Lemhi County: Lewis and Clark History and River Landscapes

Lemhi Pass is a significant historic site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. In Lemhi County, river landscapes, trails, and cultural sites add a variety of impressions to this historical theme. You can plan your trip around whether you are especially interested in Trail history, outdoor activities, or exhibits.

Historic Sites and Trails

The Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway and Adventure Road is a 36-mile loop along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Along the route, there are opportunities for hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and exploring the surrounding area. Its connection to two named trails also makes the route appealing to travelers who want to combine landscapes and history during their stay.

Another place for outdoor activities is Discovery Hill. There are opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, dirt biking, and playing disc golf. Visitors can also explore sections of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on foot. The trails pass through gently rolling sagebrush hills, with views of the Continental Divide and the Salmon River valley along the way. The range of activities and the landscape give the area several facets, so you don't have to commit to just one way of exploring it.

The measurements of the trails described here can help you distinguish between different ways to explore: the byway is a 36-mile loop, while the trail at Morgan Bar Recreation Site runs for almost a mile along the riverbank. These are different types and scales of outings; which one suits your stay depends on the places and activities you want to include.

Along the Salmon River

Morgan Bar Recreation Site is on the Salmon River and offers an eastward view of the Beaverhead Mountains. A trail there loops around a wetland pond and then follows the west bank of the Salmon River for almost a mile. The mountain views and riverside trail contrast with the gently rolling sagebrush hills at Discovery Hill.

The Upper Salmon River also offers a distinct focus for trip planning: between Stanley and North Fork, there are opportunities for boating and other recreational activities on and along the river. Dozens of wildlife and bird species depend on the clean water and well-defined riparian areas of the Upper Salmon River. Visitors interested in river landscapes will find both recreational opportunities and a habitat shaped by its water and riverbanks.

Highways 75 and 93 run parallel to the Upper Salmon River through places such as Salmon and North Fork. This geographic orientation complements the river activities and trails described at specific locations. For planning, it is worth selecting the named places and themes that interest you rather than treating the different offerings as a single route.

Culture and River History

The Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center honors Sacajawea and explains her role in the Corps of Discovery and her affiliation with the Agai’dika Shoshone-Bannock. The Center also has walking trails with interpretive signs and exhibits. You can combine your visit with a walk that takes in both the historical interpretation and the trails and displays.

The “River of History” exhibit covers the people who lived in the Main Salmon River Canyon and the Middle Fork, river expeditions by Countess Eleanor Gizycka and Caroline Lockhart, and fish and wildlife along Lemhi County’s river corridors. It adds human stories and expeditions to the river-related themes. Together with the Sacajawea Center, it offers a cultural perspective distinct from the outdoor activities at the byway, Discovery Hill, and Morgan Bar.

Plan Your Stay

If you are looking for a hotel for your trip to Lemhi County, first consider what you want to focus on during your days there: historic sites and trail connections, activities on the trails, river landscapes, or culture. The places described offer different starting points, from the 36-mile loop to exhibits and a riverside trail. Use these interests to guide your search and decide which destinations you would like to include in your stay.

Discover more destinations: Salmon, Idaho County, Jefferson, Cassia County, Shoshone County, Gooding County, Nez Perce County, Lewis County

For the full travel overview: Idaho.