Panoramic views and primitive conditions await travelers on the historic Lolo Trail. Winding through the rugged Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho and Montana, this trail is more than a scenic byway—it's a living timeline etched into the wilderness.
 

A Historic Landmark of National Significance

The Lolo Trail is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This area includes:

•  The Lolo Trail Corridor

• The Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail

• The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

• The Lolo Motorway (Forest Road 500)
   

Footsteps Through Time

Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Lolo Motorway replaced traditional Native footpaths. Long before it became a road, this trail was:

• Known to the Nez Perce as K'useyneisskit (“the buffalo trail”)

• A land bridge between the Columbia River Basin and the Northern Plains

• A vital migratory and trading route for Indigenous peoples

• Lewis and Clark struggled through this very route—first westward in 1805, then eastward in 1806.

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🏔️ Expedition Timeline: A Gauntlet through the Bitterroot Mountains​

📍 September 14, 1805 – Colt Killed Creek, Idaho
The Corps of Discovery began its brutal crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains—a stretch that would become the most agonizing leg of their journey west. The trail was a tangle of fallen timber, steep ascents, deep ravines, and dense underbrush. With rations dwindling, snow beginning to fall, and no game to hunt, the men faced starvation. Near the South Fork of what they named the Flathead River, they were forced to kill and eat a colt to survive.  📖 “The mountains which we passed today [were] much worse than yesterday… excessively bad and thickly strowed with fallen timber… our men and horses much fatigued.”

📍 September 18, 1805 – Near Bald Mountain
Now three miles west of Bald Mountain, the Corps was at a dire low point. Starving and exhausted, they turned to the last of their portable soup—a gelatinous ration the men detested—and prepared to eat bear’s oil and even candles if necessary. Lewis noted their desperate condition as they clung to life in one of the harshest terrains they had ever encountered.

📍 September 20, 1805 – Between Dollar and Sixbit Creeks, Idaho
To save the party, Clark led a detachment ahead, hoping to reach help faster. After an excruciating descent, he emerged onto the Weippe Prairie, where he encountered a band of Nez Percé, or "Cho pun-nish" as they called themselves—meaning “pierced noses.” Clark described “a beautiful country” with about 30 double lodges and many women and children. For the first time in days, hope returned.

📍 September 22, 1805 – Weippe Prairie, Idaho
Two days later, Lewis and the rest of the Corps arrived and reunited with Clark at Weippe Prairie. The leaders shared their story and purpose with the Nez Percé, asking for help and guidance. The Nez Percé agreed to assist, marking the start of a vital alliance. The men began preparations to build canoes, ready to leave the gauntlet of the Bitterroots behind and continue west by water.
 

A Snapshot Today: The Lolo Motorway

Don’t let the name “motorway” fool you—this is no highway. The Lolo Motorway (Forest Road 500) is a narrow, rugged, high-elevation dirt road that follows the ancient trail.

 What to Expect:

• 100+ miles of unpaved, remote mountain road

• Jaw-dropping ridge-top views over the Lochsa River

• No gas stations, water sources, or stores—come prepared

• Pristine wilderness and peaceful solitude

Trails branch off the main road, offering hikers even deeper immersion into the backcountry. The route also leads to:

• Mountain lakes

• Scenic overlooks

• Campsites (primitive)
   

Drive the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway

Prefer paved roads with a view?
You can follow a more accessible version of the expedition’s path by driving the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway.

📍This route:

• Parallels the Lolo Trail across north central Idaho

• Is Idaho’s longest scenic byway

• Traces the same journey taken by Lewis and Clark in 1805–1806

📍 Along the way, stop at:

• Nez Perce historical sites

• Interpretive centers and cultural landmarks

• Points of interest that tell the story of Indigenous peoples and early explorers

This drive offers insight into the deep cultural roots and historical resilience of the region—and it's as beautiful as it is meaningful.
 

Respect the Land

Many stops along the Lolo Trail are sacred to American Indian tribes. Others remain untouched, preserved in their primitive state.

As you explore:

• Leave no trace

• Honor the history

• Take only photographs and memories
   

Ready to explore the footsteps of legends and soak in century-old views? The Lolo Trail and the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway offer two paths—rugged and refined—for discovering Idaho’s wild and storied heart.