Lewis and Clark, the first non-Indians to visit this area, considered it to be "paradise." In it are the roaring whitewaters of the Lochsa, Snake, Clearwater, Selway and Salmon Rivers, offering thrilling rides in kayaks, rafts, and jet boats. The waters of the Snake River carve out the deepest gorge in North America. Peaks of the Seven Devils Mountain Range provide a view of four states, and nestle 30 alpine lakes with miles of hiking trails. In the heart of this country is one of the largest designated wilderness regions in the lower 48 states -- The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, the Frank Church-River Of No Return Wilderness, and the Gospel-Hump Wilderness Area. These Wilderness Areas provide dramatic scenery and outdoor adventures in every category.
This wild country is unsurpassed for big game hunting. Whitetail deer predominate, but, some of Idaho's best elk habitat is found here. Idaho outfitters have helped bag many a trophy in all big game species. Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and over 100 species of birds also call this area "home." It is truly possible to find complete solitude in Idaho's Wilderness.
North Central Idaho offers superb cutthroat and rainbow trout as well as the best steelhead fishing in the state. Fishing the backcountry is fantastic. Kelly Creek offers world-famous catch-and-release trout fishing.
Accessible lowland lakes and reservoirs support healthy largemouth and smallmouth bass populations, crappie, catfish and bullheads. Dworshak Dam, the largest straight axis dam in North America, holds back 54 miles of ice blue water surrounded by pines. Kokanee salmon are the big attraction at Dworshak, but the state record smallmouth was also caught here. Portions of the Snake River are home to the prehistoric giant sturgeon. Imagine the thrill of landing one of these monsters!
In contrast to the rugged Wilderness Areas, the rolling hills of the western "Palouse" range provide some of the West's most fertile and picturesque farm lands. Here you find the city of Moscow and the University of Idaho. A little south is Lewiston, providing an inland seaport. Idaho's rich Indian history is probably best preserved in the nearby Nez Perce National Historical Park Museum in Spaulding. It was their leader, Chief Joseph, who uttered the poignant declaration, "From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever."
For additional information, contact the North Central Idaho Travel Committee in Lewiston at 1-800-473-3543; the Chambers of Commerce in Moscow at 208-882-1800, or Grangeville at 208-983-0460, or the Salmon River Chamber of Commerce in Riggins at 208-628-3440. Jet boat outfitters usually headquarter in Lewiston, while float trip outfitters are based in Riggins.