Visitors to the Pend Oreille Scenic Byway find an abundance of recreational opportunities, postcard-quality scenery, and historical elements. Each season enhances the numerous recreational opportunities created by the interplay of Lake Pend Oreille, the Clark Fork River, and the surrounding forests, all bordered by immense natural beauty within the byway's corridor.
The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway offers travelers some of Idaho’s most spectacular water views. Beginning at the intersection with US 95, Idaho 200 meanders eastward to the Montana state line across farmlands, through river deltas, and along the rocky northern shores of Lake Pend Oreille, all sculpted by the massive force of glaciers and the floodwaters of Glacial Lake Missoula. Pullouts along the byway allow visitors to stop and enjoy breathtaking vistas of mountainous horizons framing miles of open water.
Whether you are inclined to swim or fish, boat or golf, hunt or hike mountain trails, alpine ski or snowmobile, water ski or bird watch, each of the region’s distinctive four seasons offers an outstanding recreational opportunity for everyone who enjoys the outdoors. Visitors can find varying accommodations from unimproved mountain campsites to maintained shoreline campgrounds to recreational vehicles parks along the water or choose from lakefront resorts or motels.
The scenic byway portion of Pend Oreille Scenic Byway can be accessed by taking US Highway 2 east from Priest River towards Sandpoint. After crossing the bridge over the river, the route begins in Ponderay at the intersection of US-2 and ID-200. It is 33 miles long, and some attractions along the route may have a fee to enter. The drive itself is 90 minutes, or travelers can take the entire day to explore its numerous scenic, recreational, and historical opportunities. A stay in Priest River provides travelers with a couple of days to explore the area.
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