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Category: Idaho

  • Follow the Lewis and Clark Trail by RV

    When looking for the perfect family summer road trip in the United States, Route 66 or Highway 1 might be the first things that come to mind. But what if there was an even better family trip — one not well-known outside the US and not well-traveled even by Americans — but still a route packed with amazing sites, a route that covers some of the most beautiful places in America? And it’s family-friendly, offering lots of experiences you and your children can enjoy together.

    Look no further than following the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail! Its historical significance and thrilling stops are unparalleled.

    Jefferson’s Dream

    In 1803, Thomas Jefferson signed the Louisiana Purchase agreement with France and acquired a huge oval swath of land extending from Montana in the north to the mouth of the Mississippi River in New Orleans in the south. The new territory encompassed parts of the West, Midwest, and South, nearly doubling the size of the United States.

    Boy scouts check out exhibit.

    A Lewis and Clark exhibit at Pompey’s Pillar National Monument in Billings, Montana. Photo: MyPublicLands

    Then Jefferson decided that the new land needed to be explored, and an American presence needed to be established in the territory inhabited by numerous Native American tribes and French settlers and trappers. He was also determined to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean.

    Jefferson selected a young, adventurous, family acquaintance and military veteran, Captain Meriwether Lewis, to lead the expedition. Lewis — like Jefferson —was well-educated and full of insatiable curiosity. He took quick lessons in field medicine, botany, biology, geology, and navigation by the stars. Lewis soon picked William Clark, another former soldier, to be his partner in the expedition.

    Lewis’s trip had its beginnings in Pittsburgh, where he ordered his keelboat made. After overseeing the building of boats, provisioning, gathering munitions and ammunition, buying trade items and gifts for Native American leaders, and selecting their men, they were ready. The group came to be called the Corps of Discovery.

    A diorama showing explorers hauling a boat.

    A model of the Lewis and Clark portages at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Museum in Great Falls, Montana. Photo: Olekinderhook

    Trail of Discovery

    The National Lewis and Clark Historical Trail starts in Pittsburgh, but many consider the departure from St Charles, Missouri, to be the real starting point. It was from there, at a spot called Camp Dubois near St. Louis, that the group began its Westward journey into the unknown on May 14, 1804. They would not see St Louis again until Sept. 23, 1806, after the Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon, traversing nearly 5,000 miles.

    During their travels, primarily navigating the Missouri and Columbia rivers, the group interacted with more than 60 native tribes, recorded hundreds of new plant and animal species, and opened the West for exploration and settlement. They did not find the coveted water route to the Pacific. Only one man died during the trip, apparently from peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix.

    Grass huts on a green field.

    Replicas of Native American dwellings in the Lewis and Clark Sacajawea Center in Salmon, Idaho. Photo: BLMIdaho

    Follow in Their Footsteps

    One of your best guides for the trip is the National Park Service’s Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail website. This rich resource has a suggested driving route marked with points of historical significance and visitor centers. It also offers a state-by-state guide as to what to see in any given area of the journey. There are also numerous books on things to see and do along the way. Children can journal, collect and press wildflowers, participate in activities at the many interpretive centers, and become Junior Rangers.

    And for places to stay along your route, be sure to visit goodsam.com. Find your perfect campgrounds and think about reserving ahead. Parks can fill up in the summer months, especially. Download the Good Sam app for on-the-road planning and information.

    Close to the Kentucky segment of the trail, Thousand Trails Natchez Trace in Hohenwald, Tennessee, welcomes campers.

    A bronze statue amid hotels.

    A statue of Lewis and Clark in Seaside, Oregon. Photo: Honey Knut

    If you plan to visit the explorers’ west coast adventures, stay at Thousand Trails Seaside in the coastal community of Seaside, Oregon. The resort sits just a short drive from the mouth of the Columbia River, where the intrepid explorers first caught sight of the great Pacific Ocean.

    The post Follow the Lewis and Clark Trail by RV appeared first on RV.com.

  • 3 Perfectly Rated RV Parks Entice Campers to Washington/Idaho

    A trio of top-rated RV parks along the Washington/Idaho border puts RV travelers in the heart of the ruggedly beautiful Inland Northwest. Each park is located along Interstate 90, close to great recreation and compelling cities.

    • In Spokane, North Spokane RV Campground is located minutes from downtown and a short walk from shopping, entertainment, and dining.

    • Sixteen miles to the east, Liberty Lake RV Campground sits close to hiking, boating, and fishing adventures in the area’s many lakes.

    • Travel another nine miles east across the Idaho Border, and explorers will discover Post Falls RV Campground. This friendly stop is close to the beautiful town of Post Falls and also near prime outdoor recreation.

    Aerial shot of RVs in campsites.

    Photo courtesy of North Spokane RV Campground.

    Each of these parks has earned a 10/10*/10 Good Sam rating and boasts lots of amenities for a pleasant stay. In each park, active campers can enjoy outdoor games, from pickleball to horseshoes, while dog owners can stay busy at the dog park. Conveniences at each park include on-site laundry facilities, clean and modern shower facilities, a banquet hall with rec room, and an on-site propane and dump station. Stay connected with the park’s complimentary Internet.

    Offices of a campground

    Photo courtesy of North Spokane RV Campground.

    Land of Amazing Lakes

    Within two hours of these campgrounds, boating and fishing enthusiasts will discover more than 15 lakes. These include Washington’s Moses Lake, which is 18 miles long and boasts more than 120 miles of shoreline. Kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized boats are ideal for exploring the parks along the trails. Also in the mix is Lake Roosevelt, also in Washington, which is home to the massive Grand Coulee Dam. This impressive structure serves as the screen for a laser show each summer.

    The lakes in the area have rental facilities. Many of these lakes have public beaches and swimming available.

    The surrounding area also has no shortage of land-based recreation.

    A man goes mountain biking in a path flanked by tall grass.

    Mountain biking in Idaho. Photo: Leslie Kehmeier

    Mountain biking enthusiasts will discover that the region’s ski resorts transform into a mountain biking paradise in the summer (Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Silver Mountain Resort, Mt. Spokane, Route of the Hiawatha). Rock climbers will find outstanding challenges in Post Falls, with Q’emiln Walls featuring over 140 routes and bouldering opportunities.

    For hikers, Coeur d’Alene’s Tubbs Hill in Idaho, Spokane’s Riverside State Park, and Mt. Spokane State Park provide lots of vistas and challenges.

    Do you prefer walking on well-manicured fairways and greens? The Spokane/Coeur d’Alene region boasts some of the finest golfing in the world. Most notable, The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

    Where the Action Is: Sports, Concerts, and Festivals

    If you’re a sports fan, you’ll find plenty of action in the following events:

    • Bloomsday in Spokane, May 4, is one of the world’s most significant timed running events. Thousands of runners come here to participate in the city’s iconic 12K race.

    Hundreds of distance runners job down a wide avenue.

    Photo courtesy of Bloomsday 2025.

    • Spokane’s Hoopfest, June 28-29, is the largest 3-on-3 outdoor basketball tournament in the world. Watch as top players vie for the top prize in compelling half-court action.

    • Speedway Racing in Post Falls: Throughout the summer, the roar of high-performance racing vehicles reverberates throughout Stateline Speedway. From monster truck exploits to drifting, the track conducts eclectic racing events for speed demons.

    • Professional Sports in Spokane: Lilac City hosts numerous professional sports teams, including the Indians Baseball and Velocity & Zephyr Soccer organizations. Don’t miss out on the fun: Find out where you can enjoy high-level competition.

    If you’d prefer to attend an event that focuses on entertainment and food, check out the following:

    • North Idaho State Fair (August 15–24) in Coeur d’Alene is a 10-day entertainment event featuring concerts, rodeos, carnival rides, and exhibits.

    • Pig Out in the Park (August 28–September 1) in Spokane is a 6-day food and music festival with various flavors.

    Scores of bathers wading in waste-high water.

    Waiting for waves. Photo courtesy of Silverwood Theme Park & Boulder Beach Water Park.

    • Silverwood Theme Park & Boulder Beach Water Park in Athol, Idaho, is the Northwest’s largest theme park, with more than 70 rides, shows, and attractions.

    • Summer Concerts in Spokane include the Arbor Crest Wine Cellars Summer Concert Series, Northern Quest Resort Summer Concert Series, and Spokane Pavilion Concerts.

     

     

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