Idaho’s vibrant natural scenery, combined with its spectacular regional diversity, idyllic weather, an abundance of wildlife, outdoor recreation, and picture-perfect vistas does more than make the Gem State an incredibly beautiful place to live and explore; it also means that road trip opportunities and destinations are endless and there are incredible scenic drives in Idaho from which to choose! Here in our big-little slice of heaven, taking the road less traveled is a wonderful way to navigate the wonders and hidden gems around the state. While some of Idaho’s scenic byways have historic significance, others are gateways to the delights tucked away in our small towns. Whatever your preference, with well over two dozen scenic byways weaving and interconnecting through the most beautiful parts of the state, you’re never going to have to worry about running out of things to explore.

But of all the memory-making road trips in Idaho you could take, there’s only one that has made the U.S. list of the 32 All-American Roads and has been ranked as one of the Top 10 scenic drives in the Northern Rockies. The International Selkirk Loop is a unique, 280 mile-long scenic drive that winds through Idaho, Washington, and Canada — the only two-nation scenic byway in the country. The stunning Selkirk Mountains set the stage for the Idaho loop of this drive, which is punctuated by crisp, rush rivers, sparkling lakes, and snow-capped peaks. It’s a spectacular way to rediscover the magic of Idaho’s panhandle! Recommended time for this epic adventure: 7 days. Let’s begin our adventure down one of the most scenic drives in Idaho.

The towering, rugged Selkirk Mountains of north-central Idaho will lead you all the way to the Canada border (and beyond, if you so choose.)
Murray Foubister/Flickr
Along the way, you'll find multiple scenic side trip options, which we will detail for you in Part II of this series.
The Panhandle Rivers Historic Passage will take you through Oldtown and Priest River, all the way to Sandpoint.
International Selkirk Loop
Just a short drive outside Newport, WA, the southern leg of the International Selkirk Loop is also comprised of the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage, which begins at the Washington state line and follows the northern shore of the Pend Oreille River. As you drive, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy miles of soothing river scenery that reflects the rich timber industry and vibrant waterfront beauty of the area.
Starting in the beautiful waterfront community of Priest River near the Washington border, your journey will begin in the town that is one of Idaho's best-kept secrets.
City of Priest River, Idaho/Facebook
Nestled in the Selkirks and bordered by the Priest River on the east and the Pend Oreille River on the south, this charming "town that logs built" has plenty to offer in the way of recreation, just to start. Hike up Gisborne Mountain for views and wildlife spotting from the lookout at the Priest River Experimental Forest, or drink in the fresh air and woodsy banks of the Pend Oreille. Here, you can also stop by the historic Rex Theater, gorgeous Beardmore Building downtown, take a tour of the charming Priest River Museum & Timber Education Center, or even float Priest River in the summer.

Priest River is also a stop on the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage Scenic Byway as well as the home of the annual Priest River Timber Days. So depending on when your road trip takes place, you'll have plenty to do on your first stop!
While you're in the area, check out the Albeni Dam--what a spectacular sight at night!
Jasper Nance/Flickr
As you meander into Sandpoint, one of the Gem State's favorite northern small towns, the scenery and opportunities to explore only get even better.
jlh_lunasea/Flickr

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International Selkirk Loop
From skiing Schweitzer Mountain in winter and kicking back on the sandy shores of City Beach downtown during summer, to catching a movie at the old Panida Theater, shopping at the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market, ice skating on Sand Creek, or even enjoying the bounty of art museums, seasonal festivals, and symphonies, this is one town you'll want to spend some extra time in. But even as you peruse downtown's amenities, be sure to take a few moments to drink in the vibrant sunsets over the water.
As you travel north from Sandpoint, hopping onto 95, the natural beauty gets fresher, livelier, and increasingly remote. Lush meadows and valleys make for stunning pullout spots.
D. Taylor in Idaho/Flickr
From Elmira to Naples to Bonners Ferry, all along the Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway, pristine lakes and forests abound.
cifraser1/Flickr
Al/Flickr
The colors along this byway are particularly fantastic during the fall. Stop by the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, Bridal Lake, take a side trip to the Moyie River Bridge, or just drink in the forested scenery. This gorgeous trail follows the Kootenai Tribe’s historic path around the fishing grounds at Lake Pend Oreille.

For an incredible overnight stay, the Shorty Peak Fire Lookout offers some spectacular views!
Finally, tucked against the Canadian border is the tiny town of Porthill, where you can see straight into British Columbia.
Province of British Columbia/Flickr
Tucked into the lush Selkirk Mountains is the soulful community of Nelson. The rolling Selkirk Mountains set against the west arm of Kootenay Lake offer scenery that defies comparison. Nelson's charm and stunning scenery create the quintessential small town setting. Nelson has a diverse infrastructure with significant small and medium-sized business growth. The community continues to build on vibrant tourism and high tech sectors while expanding its value added and light manufacturing sectors.

Ready to plan the most exhilarating trip of your life as you venture down one of the best scenic drives in Idaho? You can get all the maps and detour routes here.

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More to Explore

best scenic drives in Idaho

Beth C. | September 02, 2021

What are some other scenic drives in Idaho?

As you learned in the article above, the International Selkirk Loop is hands-down one of the best scenic drives in Idaho. However, there are plenty more to choose from if it's beautiful scenery and endless vistas you're after. Some other scenic drives in Idaho worth traveling include the Teton Scenic Byway, Lake Coeur d'Alene Scenic Byway, Salmon River Scenic Byway, Payette River Scenic Byway, Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway, Pend Oreille Scenic Byway, Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway, Oregon Trail - Bear Lake Scenic Byway, City of Rocks Back Country Byway, and Sawtooth Scenic Byway. When you're traveling these beautiful Idaho roads, be sure to drive safely and pull over at designated stops to take in all the splendid views! Here's more on planning your trip down some of the most scenic byways in Idaho.

What are some of the best road trips I can take in Idaho?

By now you've learned that taking a drive is one of the best ways to experience all that Idaho has to offer. But where to begin? We'd recommend a themed road trip! In fact, we've outlined an itinerary that will take you to the most beautiful natural wonders in Idaho.

Where can I find the most beautiful scenery in Idaho?

If you've never traveled to Idaho before, you're in for quite a treat. The Gem State is positively brimming with natural beauty, no matter which region of the state you're in. From pristine lakes to rugged mountain peaks, Idaho is a sightseer's paradise. Some of our top recommendations for finding the most beautiful scenery in Idaho include the following destinations: Bear Lake, Stanley, Thousand Springs, Sawtooth Wilderness, Snake River, Redfish Lake, Table Rock, the Palouse, City of Rocks, and the Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area. How many of these stunning destinations in Idaho have you visited?

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Featured Addresses
International Selkirk Loop, 6373 Bonner St, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805, USA