Explore Lewiston, Idaho
Lewiston, ID is a city in western Idaho and the county seat of Nez Perce County. The community was originally founded in 1861 as the result of a gold rush in the nearby town of Pierce. In January 1863, Lewiston was officially incorporated by the Washington Territorial Legislature. Two months later, the city became the very first capital of the new Idaho Territory. However, Lewiston only remained the capital for a short time; a resolution passed naming Boise the new capital on December 7, 1864. Throughout its history, the main industries in the Lewiston area have been agriculture, timber products, and paper.
As of 2022, the population of Lewiston is roughly 34,500, and the city is known as a regional hub for transportation, retail, entertainment, and health care. Lewiston is surrounded by natural beauty, and when the sun is shining, you'll have several great choices of where to best enjoy it. You could head to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, which offers gorgeous vistas and great opportunities for hiking, fishing, and whitewater boating. Alternatively, you could visit Hell’s Gate State Park for an afternoon of biking, fishing, paddling, or birdwatching.
Lewiston is known for its wonderful wineries and vineyards, and you could stop by a couple of them while you're visiting. Jovinea Cellars, Clearwater Canyon Cellars, and Lindsay Creek Vineyards are great options. There are many fascinating museums around the city as well, such as the Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum, the Jack O'Connor Center, the Lewis-Clark Center for Arts & History, and the Heritage House. When you're looking for something fun to do with the whole family, consider stopping by Orchard Lanes to enjoy some bowling and mouth-watering food. A few other high-quality places to eat around Lewiston are Brava's, El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant, and Jollymore's.
Campgrounds Near Lewiston, Idaho
One excellent campground near Lewiston is the Granite Lake Premier RV Resort, where you can rent one of the 75 full-hookup RV campsites for between $51.50 and $58.50 per night. The campground, which features beautiful landscaping, offers a fantastic selection of amenities. Guests at the park have access to a barbecue pavilion, a pet area, free Wi-Fi, satellite television, a rec room, laundry facilities, an exercise room, a gift shop, and various other conveniences.
You might also want to camp at Hells Gate State Park, which is located at the entrance of Hells Canyon and offers full-hookup RV campsites. The park is an excellent place to stay if you love outdoor recreation. While you're there, you'll have nearby access to activities like fishing, biking, watersports, wildlife viewing, hiking, disc golf, and horseback riding.
Another quality camping option in the area is Hells Canyon Resort. The well-maintained campground boasts 48 full-hookup RV campsites, which are available for $34-$35 per night or $195-$255 per week. Some of the many amenities offered at the park include a playground, laundry facilities, a clubhouse, a camp store, free Wi-Fi, a pool, and a hot tub.
State Parks Near Lewiston, Idaho
One state park located close to Lewiston is Hells Gate State Park, which lies on a river bottom that was left over from Ice Age floods. The park is most known for its fascinating natural history, such as the Basaltic columns dating back 14 million years and the remains of Nez Perce Village. The area also contains the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, where you can learn about Lewis and Clark's journey through Idaho. There are also excellent hiking and mountain biking trails to explore. If you prefer water-based recreation, you could head to the marina and rent a kayak or canoe or go for a swim in the Snake River. Additionally, there's even a disc golf course in the park.
Heyburn State Park is found in northern Idaho at the convergence of three different lakes and the St. Joe River. The tranquil park encompasses 8,000 acres and features majestic ponderosa pines, meadows filled with beautiful wildflowers, and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can go fishing, swimming, or boating in the park's lakes, hunt for deer, or explore the lovely trails on foot, bike, or horseback. If your preference is a relaxing day in the great outdoors, you could simply sit down for a picnic and enjoy the gorgeous lakefront views.
Wallowa Lake State Park is a scenic waterfront park that's surrounded by towering mountains on three sides. The park's placid namesake reservoir is a popular destination for fishing, boating, waterskiing, and swimming. Plus, the surrounding nature trails are excellent for hiking, and in the winter, they provide great opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
National Sites Near Lewiston, Idaho
One of the most fascinating historical sites near Lewiston is Nez Perce National Historical Park. In total, the park features 38 separate sites with locations in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Montana. The park contains different areas where evidence of Nez Perce habitation has been found. During your visit, you can see places that were significant to the 1,200-mile trek the Nez Perce people had to take to evade capture from the United States Army in the late 19th century. Some of the specific sites worth checking out in the park include Bear Paw, which was the site of the first battle of the Nez Perce Flight of 1877, and Canyon Creek, where many of the Nez Perce were able to escape during the flight.
Another interesting site with historical significance is the Whitman Mission National Historic Site, where a number of murders took place in the mid-1800s between Cayuse Native Americans and frontier missionaries. Visitors can tour the Whitman Mission Museum to learn about the events that led up to the brutal murders of the Whitman family. There's also the Whitman Mission National Historic Site Trail, which navigates past the cemetery where the victims are buried and the monument that was built to honor Doctor Whitman and his wife.
The Oregon National Historic Trail is a famous trail that spans over 2,000 miles across six states. The route begins in Missouri and ends in Oregon, and it was frequently traveled by families on their way to settle out West early in American history. When navigating the trail, you'll get the chance to visit a variety of unique historical sites. A few of the most notable places you can see include the Chimney Rock National Historic Site, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Fort Kearny State Historical Park, and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument.
National Forests Near Lewiston, Idaho
Wallowa–Whitman National Forest is a 2.3-million-acre stretch of forests spreading across parts of Idaho and Oregon. The large forest is divided into several sections, including approximately 600,000 acres of tranquil wilderness land. Visitors will find exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing and birdwatching in the forest. Some of the species commonly spotted include black bears, timber wolves, mountain goats, badgers, pine marten, beavers, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and great gray owls. Visitors can also fish for steelhead and trout in the rivers and explore scenic hiking trails like the Wallowa River Loop Trail and the Chief Joseph Mountain Trail.
Nez Perce National Forest is another massive forest in the Pacific Northwest, comprising roughly 4 million acres of endless woodlands, rugged canyons, and gorgeous rivers. Popular activities in the beautiful area include hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and boating. The forest also has a fascinating history. The area was the traditional home of the indigenous Ni Mii Puu, who were called the Nez Perce by the Lewis and Clark expeditions. If you enjoy hiking, a couple of routes worth exploring are Ten Mile Creek Trail #415 and Stillman Point Trail #335.
Featuring mountains, rivers, and densely forested areas, Payette National Forest covers 2.3 million acres and is named for the fur trapper Francois Payette. There are two different wilderness areas located within the sizable forest: Frank Church River to Nowhere Wilderness Area and Hells Canyon Wilderness Area. Throughout the serene nature area, you'll find top-notch hiking trails such as the Snowslide to Lake Fork Trail and the Granite Mountain Lookout Trail. You might also want to partake in fishing, stargazing, geocaching, and observing unique wildlife species like cougars, mule deer, black bears, and white-tailed deer.
