Posted in Idaho May 30, 2017 by

The Beautiful Abandoned Spot In Idaho That’s Hidden In Plain Sight

It’s no secret that there is a simple, whimsical nostalgia to trains and rail travel that dates back to old steamers of the 1800s and on up to the modern locomotive – the clickity-clack of tracks underway, the gorgeous landscape panoramas in the distance, the excitement of every whistle. Nearly every Idahoan has grown up with a railroad in their backyard or fallen asleep to the sound of distant cars lumbering over the tracks!

While train travel is no longer an option in the Gem State, there’s a unique beauty to be found in old railbeds, their remnants, and even the ornate train stations that still stand proudly in many cities. (Don’t believe me? Check out our Historic Train Depot Road Trip here!) One particularly magnificent sight? An abandoned railroad that boasts a century’s worth of history, a worldwide reputation that still stands the test of time, and a heartbreaking story of beauty and tragedy.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Few people realize that some of the most magnificent train trestles in the world are located right here in Idaho as part of the beautiful and historic Camas Prairie Railroad.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Charles Knowles/Flickr
This stunning stretch of railbed is positively legendary for its towering trestles, which soar above multiple canyons in the high Camas Prairie of Central Idaho. The manmade wonder blends seamlessly with the colorful prairie to form a sight that is nothing short of breathtaking.
From a distance, the intimidating and seemingly spindly trestles are a truly remarkable feat of engineering, towering sky high above the valley floor - they couldn't possibly bear the rumbling weight of a locomotive. Right?
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Orin Blomberg/Flickr
Yet, today the remains of this now-abandoned line stand despite all odds.
Meandering over 150 miles of picturesque terrain, this rugged, stately line traverses a magnificently diverse portion of Idaho, from a roller coaster of rural farmland near Grangeville to lush pine-scapes near Lewiston.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
While no longer in use, this gorgeous piece of Idaho history is well worth a visit to capture a few photographs of the impressive trestles.
Although no longer in use, this gorgeous piece of Idaho history is well worth a visit to capture a few photographs of the impressive trestles, many of which tower over 250 feet above the ground.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Jeff Zenner Photography
Historically, the Camas Prairie Railroad is officially referred to as the CSP. It was jointly owned by both the Union Pacific and Northern Pacific, which had created the line as a means of settling a profit dispute.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Orin Blomberg/Flickr
Opposite sides of the railroad were built simultaneously by the two begrudgingly cooperating companies, literally meeting in the middle with a huge sigh of relief.
Enormous steel girders had to be built to withstand the pressure of hundreds of tons of locomotive, passengers, and ore being hauled over the canyon.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Orin Blomberg/Flickr
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Ed Suominen/Flickr
Altogether, this historic railroad climbs close to 2,000 feet from its low point, to an elevation of over 3,700 feet near Craigmont.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Jennifer/OnlyInYourState
Incredibly, the timbers for every mile of this glorious second subdivision stretch were cut on-site from nearby pines.
The most scenic point - according to some - is east of Culdesac, where an eight-mile loop hugs the Lapwai Canyon and uses multiple trestles to span the scenic landscape.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Jeff Zenner Photography
Here, the curvaceous Half Moon trestle arcs in a graceful bend at 141 feet above the ground. This famous stretch also includes six tunnels and eighteen trestles that allow the track to wind up one side of Lapwai Canyon, switch back on itself, and continue up the hill to the top.
Aging tunnels dot the extensive railbed, many of which have crumbled upon themselves.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Jeff Zenner Photography
The treacherous, rocky Lawyer's Canyon is especially beautiful in its disrepair. A steel viaduct had to be build to run 1, 520 feet across the canyon, with the height topping 280 feet. As the steel was being hauled over the canyon to build this very trestle, it had to be carried across the newly-built - yet still unfinished - portions of the railroad, testing the line's stability. With every groan and ache of the girders, no doubt builders were holding their breath.
In 1908, the railroad was finished, and for nearly a century, the Camas Prairie Railroad hauled grain and lumber products from the prairie to distant markets.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Orin Blomberg/Flickr
A gradual decline became particularly noticeable in 1975 after the building of the Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River, which allowed Lewiston to become its own inland seaport, thus bypassing the railroad.
The last train left the Camas Prairie on November 28, 2000, hauling just four cars of canola and three empty tankers, according to reports.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Jennifer/OnlyInYourState
In 2000, the railroad was abandoned completely.
Since then, exposure, disuse, and time have taken their toll.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Jennifer/OnlyInYourState
Rotting wood, sun-damaged metal - weakened and pitted with holes -, and even human activity has made this historic line a dangerous, albeit beautiful, historic reminder.
Multiple fires have also scorched many of the high-elevation trestles and entire portions have collapsed.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Jennifer/OnlyInYourState
Most experts agree that the Camas Prairie Railroad is unlikely to be transformed into a rails-to-trails route, or even play host to an attraction of any kind due to finances. But there's still hope.
Piles of wood beams and metal rails dot the outskirts as the tracks wind their way through West-Central Idaho. In fact, many portions of the line have been stripped completely bare.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Jennifer/OnlyInYourState
Most experts agree that the Camas Prairie Railroad is unlikely to be transformed into a rails-to-trails route, or even play host to an attraction of any kind due to finances. But there's still hope.
Night may have fallen on this incredible railroad's unique history and peak architectural beauty, but it's still a beautiful and impressive part of Idaho history, worthy of future preservation efforts.
Abandoned Camas Prairie Railroad - Idaho
Rustic Lens Photography
You can visit the railroad and check out the splendor from a distance, and even get up close to photograph the trestles themselves - but climbing or hiking along the rails in any way could be fatal. Stay safe, Idaho!

A special shoutout to Jeff Zenner Photography for contributing some of the awesome photos above!

Have you ever seen any portion of the Camas Prairie Railroad in person? For another phenomenal sight in the Camas Prairie, Idaho’s annual canola bloom is unexpected, colorful, and positively mesmerizing.