| Excursions &
Diversions: Things to do in a 50 miles radius...
 Hells Canyon National Recreation
Area: For more information contact the Hells Canyon Visitor
Association – toll free (877) 774-7248.
Established by the U.S. Congress in
1975 to preserve the free flowing character of the Snake River and to protect
archaeological, recreational and ecological treasures. It covers 652,488
acres, including some of the most rugged and spectacular wilderness area on
earth. Seven Devils mountain range rises over 9,000 feet in elevation at “He
Devil” mountain and plunges 1 miles from its summit to the mouth of Granite
Creek. The best way to see a lot of Hells Canyon in a short amount of time is
with a commercial jet boat outfitter.
 Alpowai Interpretive Center:
Located at the outside entrance of Chief Timothy State Park, 8 miles west of
Clarkston on Highway 12, (509) 758-9580.
The Alpowai Interpretive Center is
built near the original site of Alpowai, a Nez Perce Indian village during the
mid-1800’s. During the later 1800’s and early 1900’s, the area supported the
community of Silcott.
Asotin County Historical Society
Museum: 215 Filmore;
Asotin, WA; 509-243-4659
Features hands-on displays emphasizing the
region’s pioneer period. Highlights include a Mastodon elephant tusk over
10,000 years old, 1880s sheepherder’s cabin, pioneer home, old time
barbershop and a one-room schoolhouse. Square-nail construction and complete
details reflect its original look.
Valley Art Center:
842 6th Street; Clarkston, WA; 509-758-8331.
Displays work by local artists, conducts art seminars and classes, and
hosts special events. The annual Sun Festival in Clarkston is a big event
for the center.
 Buffalo Eddy Petroglyphs:
Located 14 miles south of Clarkston, WA along the Snake River’s edge
Follow the winding two-lane road along the river edge to where the road
turns into one lane. On the left side you will see a beach and rocks next to
the road where you can view the petroglyphs.
Chief Timothy Park: Located eight miles west of Clarkston, WA
A unique experience of peace and tranquility as was found when Lewis and
Clark traveled across the island in 1806. Today the spirit still lives in an
atmosphere of natural beauty. Overnight camping, swimming beach and picnic
area is available.
Confluence Center: Located atop the levee in Lewiston, ID
There is a historical marker for the October 10, 1805 campsite of
theLewis & Clark Expedition. Nearby are several open-air interpretive
displays, including a dug-out canoe. Nez Perce lore is conveyed in Nancy
Dreher’s Tsceminicum sculpture. Parking is off the west endof D Street in
Lewiston.
 Dworshak
National Fish Hatchery: Take Hwy. 12, east to Orofino, go over the
bridge and turn left to Hwy. 7, follow the sign to Ahsahka; 208-476-4591
The facility, operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the
world’s largest steelhead (ocean going trout) and spring Chinook salmon
hatchery. View the spawning process on Tuesdays, during March, April, and
late August through September. The hatchery is open year round, visitors are
welcome to tour the hatchery seven days a week, 7:30 am to 4 pm.
Fields Spring State Park: Located in Anatone, WA (25 miles south
of Asotin) on Hwy. 129
Overlooking the Grand Ronde River, this is where you can enjoy camping,
picnicking and warming shelters, miles of cross country skiing, hiking
trails, sled runs and lighted tubing hills. The park offerstwo environmental
learning centers, WoHeLo and Puffer Butte. Overnight camping is available.
Heller Bar & Rogersburg: Located 29 miles south of Clarkston,
WA; 509-243-4499
Named the best fly
fishing spot in the Northwest. This is where many fishing charters and
rafters depart.
 Hells
Gate State Park & Marina: Located four miles south of Lewiston on
Snake River Avenue; 208-799-5015 or 208-799-5016
The park offers a variety of
conveniences for area residents and visitors. Camping and boat moorage is
available year round. The park offers hook-up sites, laundry facilities,
showers, picnic facilities, hiking and mountain biking trails and a swimming
beach. A new Lewis and Clark Discovery Center features indoor educational
displays, a two-acre outdoor interpretive plaza along the banks of the Snake
River and a beautiful moving stream with sculptures by Artist Rip Caswell.
See an original 32-minute film and don’t miss the Lewis and Clark gift shop
while you’re at the center. The marina building houses an expanded store,
park offices and a conference room with a view available to the public
for meetings. Hells Gate State Park is the meeting place for many visitors
going on jet boat trips into Hells Canyon.
 The Historical Museum at St.
Gertrude: 465 Keuterville Rd., Cottonwood, ID, 208-962-2050
This museum has a unique collection
of more than 12,000 artifacts that reflect the early history of North Central
Idaho. Visitors will rediscover the pioneer days of the Camas Prairie through
exhibits relating to the early mining and farming era, plus a varied
collection of mineral, firearms, Nez Perce artifacts, religious items, and
other objects connected to local history. The Rhoades Emmanuel Memorial, and
extraordinary collection of fine Asian and European art pieces, is another
significant exhibit located here. Call (208) 962-7123.
Jack O’Connor Hunting
Heritage & Education Center: Located in Hells Gate State Park
Recently, the Center has become the permanent
home of the O’Connor wildlife collection offering access to public viewing
of his wildlife trophies obtained from all over the world. The Center also
is a true reflection of the values and philosophy behind the man, educating
others about the role of hunting in modern day game management and
conservation. Jack O’Connor was the undisputed dean of outdoor writers. For
decades his feature articles in Outdoor Life magazine brought excitement,
enjoyment and a sense of appreciation for hunting and wildlife to millions
of people throughout the world.
Lewis-Clark Center for Arts &
History: Located at 415 Main Street in Lewiston, (208) 792-2243
Lewis & Clark Center for Arts and
History is housed in an
1884 building. It hosts a unique Chinese exhibit whose history dates back to
the 1860’s. Following the discovery of gold near Pierce, Idaho, Chinese miners
began arriving in 1865. The Center showcases the Beuk Aie Temple and turn of
the century artifacts. Local, regional, and international artists display work
in rotating exhibits. They also present concerts, recitals and literary
events. The Center has a gift gallery featuring over 100 regional artists,
Lewis & Clark gift section and books on local history by local authors.
Lewis & Clark Plants:
Turn north on 5th St. in Clarkston, go past Costco - the park is along the Snake
River.
Plants of this region made known to
science by Lewis & Clark are displayed in a living collection in Granite Lake
Park. You can picnic or stroll in the park while watching the cruise and
excursion boats.
Lewis and Clark Timeline: Located at
the Hells Canyon Resort Marina, adjacent to Rooster’s Landing
Waterfront Restaurant in Clarkston. 509-751-0155
You can view beautiful sidewalk etchings
depicting the adventures of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
 Lower
Granite Dam: Located 50 miles from Clarkston, WA; 209-843-1493.
Travel west on Hwy. 12, toward Pomeroy and look for signs to Lower Granite Dam.
The Visitor Center is open 8:30 am to 5 pm,
Monday through Saturday, and has a fish ladder viewing point where you can
see the fish go through the ladder under water. You can view the fish ladder
from outside. Guided dam tours are available.
Nez
Perce County Historical Society Museum:
90306 3rd Street; Lewiston, ID; 208-743-2535
The museum is situated in one of Lewiston’s
first buildings and preserves the history of Nez Perce County. The museum
features Native American and pioneer artifacts.
 Nez
Perce National Historical Park: Located to the east of the valley
on Hwy. 95; Spalding, ID; 208-843-2261
This is the Nez Perce National Park
headquarters and museum. The museum memorializes Nez Perce history, culture
and houses a fine collection of Nez Perce clothing and accoutrements,
utilitarian artifacts, a dug-out canoe and a model of an ancient lodge. Open
daily 8 am - 4 pm year round.
Panoramic View of Three States: Take
U.S. Hwy. 95 north and watch for “view sites” signs near the top
of the hill, or travel the Old Spiral Highway (turn left at the second exit
north of the Clearwater Bridge).
See the Lewis-Clark Valley and three states
from 2,750 feet above the valley floor, a wonderful view both day and night.
 Pataha Flour Mill:
Located off Highway 12 near Pomeroy, WA. , 509-843-3799
Now a restaurant and museum, the
122-year old Pataha Flour Mill produced the first patented flour in the United
States sold under the Triple X brand. Some older folks remember wearing
underwear and pajamas made from the famous flour sacks. The bags can also been
seen in old bugs bunny cartoons.
Washington State University:
Located 31 miles north of Clarkston in Pullman, WA, take highway 195 north,
follow the signs at the top of the hill to Spokane/Pullman.
WSU is home to the Cougars and the campus has several
fine art exhibits, special events. Pullman also has the Beasley Coliseum and
tours of the local creamery where they make the famous “Cougar Gold Cheese”.
Wolf Education
and Research Center: 418 Nez Perce; Winchester, ID; 208-924-6960
Located on the outskirts of Winchester, this
site encompasses 20 acres of rolling
timberland with meadows and streams and is home to the Sawtooth Pack wolves
of the Nez Perce. The center is dedicated to providing public education and
scientific research concerning the gray
wolf and its habitat in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Visitors may observe
the pack from outside their enclosure and hike surrounding trails.
Interactive and information displays are at the visitor center.
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