Pend Oreille Scenic Byway
Sandpoint to the Montana Border
| Mileage | 32 miles (52 km) |
|---|---|
| DurationThe duration is an estimate of a one-way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips. | 40 minutes |
| SeasonsThe seasons listed are the best seasons for this scenic drive. If Winter is not mentioned, the road may be closed during the winter. | Spring, Summer, and Fall |
| Roadways | Idaho Highway 200 |
| ServicesThe cities or towns listed have either Food or Services such as gas, pharmacies, etc. | Sandpoint, ID▼, Hope, ID▼, Sagle, ID▼, and Heron, MT▼ |
| Rating | 3.3 average from 13 votes |
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The scenic drive starts in Sandpoint, which is easily reached by US-2 and US-95. Before starting the drive, the Sandpoint Visitor Center (I1) is a great place to get information about the area.
Formed by glaciers, the Pend Oreille Lake is an impressive lake in Idaho’s Panhandle Forests. Some areas of the lake are 1,150 feet deep, making it the fifth deepest lake in the United States. The lake offers 143 miles of shoreline popular for fishing, boating and watersports of all types.
Heading west on ID-200, consider a side-trip on the Sunnyside Loop (T1). This dirt road will bring you to Sunnyside where you can enjoy a swim in the Pend Oreille Lake.
Shortly after the lake, you will arrive at the Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area (A1) which offers a chance to see moose, bald eagles and the more elusive gray wolves, bears and coyotes. The wildlife area is on the lake and offers views of the surrounding mountains.
Heading west for 5-miles, the Trestle Creek Recreation Area (H1) is an excellent location to enjoy a picnic, have a swim, do some boating, or observe the variety of birds and animals in the area.
In 7-miles, Denton Slough Waterfowl Area (H2) is renowned for birding. The intake to the Pend Oreille Lake here is ideal for songbirds, waterfowl, and fish.
Shortly after this, the road leaves the Pend Oreille Lake behind and follows the Clark Fork River until it reaches the Cabinet Gorge Dam and the Montana border in 12-miles.
From here, consider continuing into Montana or turn around and head onto the International Selkirk Loop or head south on US-95 to Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Other Nearby Places of Interests
Schweitzer Mountain Resort (A2): Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers a gondola to the top of Schweitzer Mountain. At 6,400 feet of elevation, you will enjoy spectacular views of Lake Pend Oreille, the Selkirks, and other mountain ranges into Canada.
Lake Pend Oreille (W1): Nestled within national forests, the glacier-formed Lake Pend Oreille is one of the deepest lakes in the United States and is home to wildlife and migratory birds. Stop for amazing photo opportunities, lake access for both swimming and boating, or a romantic picnic.
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