Travel back in time on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests!

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests' Historic Routes Project

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests' Historic Routes Project is a unique and exciting initiative that highlights the significant history and recreational opportunities available on three historic routes on the forests - the Lolo Motorway, Elk City Wagon Road, and Magruder Corridor. These routes follow historic trails that were used for centuries and now exist as roads following or bisecting these ancient trails. The Lolo Motorway follows both the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trails. The Elk City Wagon Road and the Magruder Corridor follow the Southern Nez Perce Trail.

Electronic Tour Sites

A cornerstone of the Historic Routes Project are the project's Electronic Tour Sites - digital kiosks deployed across the forest and in local communities, both at indoor visitor hubs and remote back-country locations, that allow visitors to access historical and interpretive information about the area.

At Electronic Tour Sites, forest visitors can download a variety of multimedia content onto their personal mobile devices in locations where there may be no WiFi or network connectivity. Visitors can then enjoy this content on their personal device for the rest of their visit to the forests, whether there is cell phone service or not.

Downloadable content at Electronic Tour Sites includes local historic information, photographs, maps, podcasts, videos, and brochures about the rich history of the region and nearby recreation opportunities. Content at each digital kiosk is unique and specific to its location. Once downloaded, visitors can refer to maps, watch videos, and view historic photos of the areas they are visiting as they continue their visit through the forests.

How does it work?

Electronic Tour Sites include an on–site router that enables visitors to download interpretive content to their mobile device via a local WiFi connection. Step–by–step instructions are available for visitors to connect their device to the network, where they may download the multimedia of their choosing.

No mobile network connection is required to download content at digital kiosks, and visitors do not have to download an app prior to visiting the digital kiosk in order to access the content. The WiFi network at Electronic Tour Sites only allows visitors to download Forest Service content. Users cannot upload content, check in to other websites, or make phone calls using the network at the digital kiosks.

Current Kiosk Locations

• Lolo Pass Visitor Center; U.S. Highway 12 at the Idaho-Montana state line
• Lochsa Lodge; Powell, ID
• Lolo Motorway (FSR 500) @ Beaver Dam Saddle (junction with FSR 103)
• Lolo Motorway (FSR 500) @ Saddle Camp (junction with FSR 107)
• Lolo Motorway (FSR 500) @ Powell Junction (junction with FSR 569)
• Traveler's Rest State Park; Lolo, MT
• Mussellshell Meadows; Nee-me-poo Trail #40 trailhead near the pollinator garden
• Kamiah Welcome Center; Kamiah, ID
• Kooskia Information Kiosk (junction with U.S. Highway 12 and State Highway 13); Kooskia, ID
• Fenn Ranger Station Visitor Center; Lowell, ID
• Three Rivers Resort; Lowell, ID
• Elk City Wagon Road Museum; Clearwater, ID
• Harpster Historic Site, Elk City Wagon Road, State Highway 13; Harpster, ID
• Elk City Wagon Road (FSR 284) @ Corral Hill
• Elk City Wagon Road (FSR 284) @ Mountain House
• Elk City Wagon Road (FSR 1858) @ Newsome Townsite
• Shearer Park; Elk City, ID
• Red River Hot Springs; Red River, ID
• Red River Ranger Station; Red River, ID
• Magruder Road (FSR 468) @ Dry Saddle (junction with Trail 575)
• Magruder Massacre Site, Bitterroot National Forest
• Magruder Guard Station, Bitterroot National Forest
• Magruder Road (FSR 468) @ Nez Perce Pass (Idaho/Montana state line)
• Darby Historic Ranger Station, Bitterroot National Forest; Darby, MT
• Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Grangeville Office; Grangeville, ID
• Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Office; Riggins, ID
• Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests North Fork Ranger District Office; Orofino, ID
• Weippe Discovery Center and Library; Weippe, ID
• Elk Snout Eatery and Mercantile; Pierce, ID
• Lenore Rest Area; Lenore, ID

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our mobile app (search “Nez Perce Clearwater” in your app store) for updates on the installation of future digital kiosks.

Electronic Tour Site at Saddle Camp along the historic Lolo Motorway. Courtesy photo by Mike Pruss.

Accolades

Since its inception, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests' Historic Routes Project and the project team members have been recognized for this project's innovative methods of improving customer service and the visitor experience across the forest. Accolades include:

• 2020 USDA Forest Service Northern Region Regional Forester's Honor Award for Fostering Volunteerism and Service
• 2020 USDA Forest Service Chief's Award for Delivering Benefits to the Public: Video
• 2020 U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary's Award for Efficient and Effective Program Delivery: Video
• Idaho Senator Mike Crapo recognized the Historic Routes Project as part of a speech on the Senate floor in December 2020: Video

Valuing Outdoor Experiences Demonstration Area

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests' Historic Routes Project falls under the USDA Forest Service's Valuing Outdoor Experiences Demonstration Area (VOEDA) initiative.

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who has offered their support to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests' Historic Routes Project!

• Clearwater Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc.
• USDA Forest Service National Technology and Development Program
• The University of Idaho
• Lochsa Lodge
• Red River Hot Springs
• Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
• NeeMePoo (Nez Perce) National Historic Trail
• Friends of the Elk City Wagon Road
• Nez Perce Tribe Trail Crew
• Southern Nez Perce Trail
• Appaloosa Horse Club
• Discover Your Northwest
• Kamiah Chamber of Commerce
• Kooskia Chamber of Commerce
• All of our communities near and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests: Kamiah, Kooskia, Grangeville, Orofino, White Bird, Riggins, Elk City, Syringa, Lowell, Powell, Lolo, Pierce, Weippe, Potlatch, and more!
• Everyone else who is in support of this project – including outfitters and guides, local historians, friends groups, businesses, individuals, and visitors to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests