BEST RIDES IN THE STATE
Spiral Highway Only 10 miles long, but lots of twisty fun! Right off US Highway 95 to Lewiston, it decends 2000 feet down into the valley. Twisties, sweepers, scenery, good pavement, little traffic.
Rattlesnake Canyon - Lewiston Idaho to Enterprise Oregon This ride is about 86 miles but will take you at least 2 hours, because of the turns in the canyon. As you leave Lewiston, take highway #129. When you arrive in Asotin, WA make sure you get gas if you need some, it's the last gas station for 80 miles. When you leave Asotin, the road will begin to climb steeply for about a mile. From here, you travel along a flat, winding road until you reach Anatone. Then you will go through the Rattlesnake Canyon, which is a really great bike road. You drop down into the canyon for what seems like miles, and then you begin your ascent up the other side of the canyon, into Oregon. In Oregon you travel alongside Joseph Canyon for several miles and ultimately you will arrive in Enterprise. There are several spots to stop for a rest in Enterprise.
Dobson Pass - Ninemile Creek Rd - Forrest Service Road 456 Located North of I-90 in the Coeur D' Alene National Forest. Exit I-90 at the town of Wallace and just North of town you will find Ninemile Road or NF 456. This road is a wonderful mountainous twisty road with switchbacks through dense Alpine forest. Ride it to the town of Ferguson or continue on and make a loop back to I-90. NF 456 will become Beaver Creek Rd. and come out on Coeur D' Alene River Road. Take a left and follow Coeur D' Alene river road back to I-90. This is a beautiful ride in the fall. The town of Wallace is also an interesting stop. It's a small historic town known to be the silver capital of the world and it was featured in the 1996 volcano disaster movie Dante's Peak.
Highway 21 Boise to Lowman, also known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. It starts in Boise and follows Idaho 21 north to the historic mining town of Idaho City, where you can still pan for gold in a nearby stream bed. Campgrounds and fishing opportunities dot the route from Idaho City to Lowman along the South Fork of the Payette River, as you climb along the byway’s northeasterly route. It's a narrow, winding road with some steep grades and beautiful scenery. 130.9 miles, allow 3 hours.
Payette River Scenic Byway From the junction of Idaho 44 and Idaho 55 west of Idaho’s capital city of Boise, this byway heads north on Idaho 55 to Horseshoe Bend where it meets the Payette River. From there, it passes through the Boise and Payette National Forests and the popular resort towns of Cascade and McCall before reaching the northern end of the byway at New Meadows. For motorists, it can be a distracting drive as the river crashes and tumbles its way over the rocks through this narrow river valley. Depending on where you are on the river, it can be a mild ripple or a wild torrent. There are occasional pull-offs where you can view the wilder parts and treat your senses to the sight, sound, smell, and rhythm of Idaho’s famous whitewater. 111.7 miles, allow 2 hours.
Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway Just east of Hwy 55 between the towns of Banks and Crouch, lies a short but very sweet section of this great byway. Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway joins two other scenic byways, forming a one-day drive from Boise. It can be accessed either by the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway on Idaho 21 or by the Payette River Scenic Byway on Idaho 55. Either route connects with this 33-mile trip through some of the most powerful canyon scenery offered in the state.
International Selkirk Loop & Wild Horse Scenic Byway. The 48 mile Wild Horse Trail, which heads north from Sandpoint, is part of 280 mile international drive that continues up through British Columbia and Washington.
Lake Coeur D' Alene Scenic Byway About 36 miles long. This byway begins at the junction of I-90 and Idaho 97. It follows Idaho 97 south and east along the eastern shore of Lake Coeur D' Alene to Idaho 3 where it meets up with the White Pines Scenic Byway.
St. Joe River Scenic Byway - Gold Summit About 89 miles from the town of St. Maries to the Montana border. From St. Maries at the junction of Idaho 3 and Forest Hwy 50 (FS 50), this byway travels east along the St. Joe River for 75 miles. At a point near Conrad Crossing the route heads in a northeast direction towards St. Regis, Montana. 5 miles of hardpack gravel on the east end, but no big deal for any bike. Take it slow for 15 minutes and enjoy a very nice ride that many never do. The byway offers many recreational opportunities and historical sites to explore
Lolo Pass - US 12 - The North West Passage Scenic Byway This is one of the most well known rides in Idaho. Looking for a road to ride all day long, with nothing but curves, great scenery, light traffic, and no boring parts? Head for Lewiston, Idaho (or for those of the eastern persuasion, Lolo, Montana). Be patient for the first 7 miles after Lewiston, after it crosses the Clearwater River you're off and running. The 209 miles of US 12 between Lewiston and Lolo is made of short curves, graceful curves, narrow curves, fast and slow curves, steep curves, banked curves, and some sharp enough to be called technical.
Kooskia to Grangeville Turn off US 12 at Kooskia and follow state hwy 13 up the south fork of the Clearwater to the town of Stites. From here climb 22 miles along 13, to the town of Grangeville on US 95.
Mt. Idaho Road & Hwy 14 This is in the same area as the above ride. Hwy 14 branches off of 13 near Grangeville. Ride it west to Elk City, about 50 miles. Lots of twisting fun. Take the Mt. Idaho Road for a fun side trip.
US Hwy 95, Whitebird Grade Road & Whitebird Hill Road This is also in the same area as the above 2 rides. US 95 is a great ride from Grangeville south to New Meadows, lots of nice sweepers, but it is a highly traveled road. If you want a really fun "road less traveled" try Whitebird hill road and White Bird Grade Road. Both of them branch off of US 95. White Bird Hill road rises 2700 vertical feet in seven miles and reconnects to Whitebird Summit on US 95, not far from the historical Nez Perce battle site. White Bird Grade Road also connects to US 95 and features numerous switchbacks, it comes out at the town of White Bird.
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway winds its way along the east side of this massive rift that separates Idaho from neighboring Oregon. 22 miles, allow 3 hours round trip. Ride the Devils Tail Inside Hells Canyon is a 22 mile road called "The Devil's Tail", also known as Forest Service Rd #454, and Hells Canyon Dam Rd. Riders come from all over the world to ride this road. Find out about the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally.
Mesa Falls Scenic Byway Connecting with the Teton Scenic Byway at Ashton, the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway takes you to two of the last undisturbed waterfalls of consequence in the West. Main attractions, the Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are the last major falls in Idaho that have not been used for irrigation or hydroelectric projects. At 110 feet and 85 feet, respectively, they offer equally spectacular views in a beautiful forest setting. The upper waterfall has been developed with paths and viewing areas and is easily accessible to all. At Lower Mesa Falls, the Snake River is squeezed into a gorge that drops 65 feet. The best view is from Grandview Campground and Overlook. The glassy waters froth to mist in an even higher 11-story, 114-foot plunge.
Sawtooth Scenic Byway 115 Miles, the route begins at the town of Shoshone and follows a route northerly along State Highway 75 through the Sawtooth National Forest to end at the junction with State Highway 21 at Stanley. The best riding is found north of Sun Valley, where the road twists and turns through the Boulder Mountains up to the Galena Summit. From Stanley you can continue on 75 for some more great riding up to the junction with I-93. This is part of the Salmon River Scenic Byway.
Salmon River Scenic Byway 161 Miles, The northern end of the Salmon River Scenic Byway begins on the Montana border at the Lost Trail Pass south on U.S. 93 to Challis, then west to Stanley on Idaho 75.
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