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Driving the International Selkirk Loop
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INTERNATIONAL SELKIRK LOOP – NORTHERN IDAHO
 Welcome to the International Selkirk Loop, a 450 km scenic drive that takes you to some of the most remote, uncrowded, undiscovered and truly spectacular regions of Southeastern British Columbia, Northern Idaho and Northeastern Washington.
Starting 1 mile east of Newport, WA across the Pend Oreille River Bridge is Oldtown, ID where the Hwy changes from Hwy 20 to Hwy 2 and is also designated the “Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage” Scenic Byway. This truly beautiful stretch of highway follows the Pend Oreille River east toward Sandpoint, ID. 6 miles from Oldtown is Albeni Falls Dam Interpretive & Visitor Center. Have a picnic while you enjoy the scenery. 2 miles from the Dam is Priest River. Visit the Priest River Museum & Timber Education Center located in the Historic District of Priest River and learn about the early “log jamming” days from Priest Lake to Priest River.
Take a detour north from Priest River on Hwy 57, 25 miles to Priest Lake. With over 72 miles of shoreline, Priest Lake is famous for its white sandy beaches and clear blue water. There are USFS campgrounds, resorts and marina’s available on both sides of the lake. Nordic skiing and snowmobiling are favorite winter activities. Return on the same route to Priest River, turning east (left) back onto Hwy 2. ½ mile east of Priest River is the US Army Corps of Engineers Campground called “Priest River Mudhole”. Seven miles further east in Laclede is another facility operated by the Corps. “Riley Creek Recreation Area” including a campground. One mile further look for the “Seneacquoteen historic marker” on the right side of the roadway marks the Indian Campground and river crossing where the old Indian Trail to British Columbia joined the wagon road from Walla Walla, WA.
 12 miles further is Sandpoint, ID the Loop’s largest US town. Set on beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, Sandpoint has drawn painters, poets and performers who gain inspiration from the majestic setting. Year-round activities are non-stop and boundless thanks to the hundreds of miles of backroads and wilderness trails nearby. Catch a show at the fully restored 1927 Panida Theater in the grand tradition. Sandpoint is also home of national catalog company Coldwater Creek where they have a retail store. World class skiing at Schweitzer Mountain Resort or world record rainbow trout from Lake Pend Oreille, to shopping in Sandpoints quaint downtown district, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
 From Sandpoint head north on Highway 95. Two miles north is the intersection of Hwy 200, turn right (east) and the start of a Loop Super Side Trip with the first section called “Pend Oreille National Scenic Byway” a stunningly beautiful leasurly drive, ultimately skirting into Montana and rejoining the Loop (112 mi. total) at Bonners Ferry.
Remain heading north from Sandpoint (keeping to the main Loop Route) on Hwy 95 for 35 miles to Bonners Ferry, ID Visit the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge, 5 miles west of Bonners Ferry, following the road along the Kootenai River. Bonners Ferry was recently voted the “Friendliest Town in Idaho”. Be sure and stop into the visitor center and get a map of the area. There is a lot to explore and discover in this last community before entering Canada, 30 miles to the north. Bonners Ferry is home to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, one of six bands of the Kootenai Nation (spelled Kootenay in Canada). Historically a semi-nomadic nation roaming the entire Selkirk Loop region, the Kootenai Tribe has retained its native language and other cultural elements more strongly than most other Native American groups in the US. They run a casino also in Bonners Ferry. Historic downtown is much the same as the earlier part of the century with wonderful old brick buildings.
Follow Hwy 95 north 22 miles from Bonners Ferry until Hwy 95 veers right (east). Stay straight ahead on Hwy 1 instead to Porthill, ID and the International Border Crossing open 7am to midnight. Just before passing the port look west (left) to see over a thousand acres of hops being grown by Budweizer.
Alternately the border crossing on Hwy 95 at Eastport is a 24 hr. port. This is another Loop Super-side Trip. Travel 5 miles after the border then turn west on Hwy. 3 for the 35 miles (52 km) drive to Creston, taking you through Creston’s famous fruit growing district.
 Upon crossing the border the highway changes from Hwy 1 to Hwy 21 at the Rykerts Border Station. Head north 16 km to Creston where sweeping fields of grains and roadside stands attest to the long, lush growing season the Creston Valley enjoys. The Creston Valley is second only to the Okanagan Valley in fruit production. Apples are the primary fruit, however, peaches, plums, pears and strawberries are also grown. Explore Creston’s vibrant downtown district. The Art Deco style of the 1930’s is the most prevalent. While there are no skyscrapers, two grain elevators are landmarks. The elevators are the last in BC and the last Canadian ones in a downtown center. For more in-depth history, visit the Stone House Museum just north of city center at 219 Devon Street. It’s regarded as one of the finest small museums in BC. Also in Creston is the Columbia Brewery, home of Kokanee Beer. Take a free tour, sample a beer and take home a souvenir at the Gear store.
Across the valley to the west on Hwy 3, 7 km from Creston is the Creston Valley Wildlife Management and Interpretive Center. There are over 265 bird species to be found. There are guided walking and canoe tours and a self-guided tour along wheelchair –accessible boardwalks.
 Return back to Creston and head north on 3A and follow the signs to the Kootenay Ferry. This 86 km stretch of highway is a favorite of motorcycle enthusiasts, with 270 curves, light traffic and spectacular scenery following the shoreline of 100 km long Kootenay Lake. 37 km from Creston is the unique Glass House made of more than 500,000 discarded embalming fluid bottles. The square shape of these bottles make possible a curiously beautiful home. Look for the Crawford Bay Artisans 79 km from Creston where you can see artists in action from broom making to glass blowing. 1 km further is Kokanee Springs Golf Resort, 18-holes on a world class course. 6 km further is the North America’s longest free ferry ride across Kootenay Lake.
Arriving at Balfour in the West Kootenays, turn left. At 10 km is Kokanee Creek Provincial Campground. Stay on Hwy 3A 22 km further to Nelson. The community has become a premier destination for mountain bikers, kayakers, trekkers and climbers. With over 350 heritage buildings, the city is a jackpot for history lovers. Guided walking tours or driving tours are available. Nelson is the largest town on the BC portion of the Loop drive.
 Follow Hwy 6 out of Nelson 32 km south to Salmo. See seven elaborate stone murals on community buildings depicting the town’s proud mining and forestry heritage. Stay on Hwy 6 to the International Border crossing at Nelway, a further 15 km.
There are two “Super side trips” worth exploring in the BC portion of the drive which branch off of then return to this main Loop route. Send for a Free Travel Guide which has more detailed information about the main route and the super side trips.
At the US International Border on Hwy 31 (changes number from Hwy 6) at Metaline, WA. The port is open 8am to midnight. 4 miles south of the Metaline border crossing is Crawford State Park. Guided tours of Gardner Cave, Washington States second longest limestone cave can be taken during the summer. 10 miles from the border south is Metalline Falls, named one of the “100 Best small art towns in America”. Visit the Cutter Theater, on the National Register of Historic Places with history exhibits and art gallery and a performing arts theater. From the border at Metaline south to Ione (30 miles) you are on “North Pend Oreille National Scenic Byway”. This region called the “Forgotten Corner” is home to one of the largest diversity of big game animals found in the lower 48 states. Sullivan Lake Ranger Station just east of Ione, the USFS has two campgrounds on lovely Sullivan Lake. The Lions Excursion Train Ride out of Ione (check schedule) offers families a two-hour tour along the Pend Oreille River. You will be awed by soring cliffs, magnificent waterfalls and in the fall, the profusion of color.
 At the Tiger junction, 4 miles south of Ione the Highway changes to Hwy 20. The main Loop route continues south to Newport along the Pend Oreille River. However Hwy 20 also goes west to Colville. Along this 40 mile stretch is the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge as well as USFS camping sites will marked along the highway. This route is another “Super-Side Trip” which will rejoin the main Loop route at Usk. The Loop’s Free Travel Guide has maps and further features to explore. Six miles south from Tiger is Blueslide Resort & Campground. 19 miles south from Blueslide is the historic town of Usk. Visit the Hotel Usk and cyclist campground for a unique experience. Located only 20 miles from 49 Degrees North Ski hill and right across the river from the Kalispel Tribe Lands. The tribe operates a buffalo ranch that has an excellent viewpoint for visitors. 14 miles south on Hwy 20 is Newport, WA. The Colville Ranger Station is on the right heading south 1 mile before Newport. Newport is only 59 miles from Spokane, WA via Hwy 2. This can be a main entry point for Loop travelers flying into Spokane’s International Airport. There are many lakes, rivers and wilderness areas surrounding Newport. At the south end of town is the Pend Oreille County Historical Museum where you’ll see “The Big Wheel”, a 16-foot steam driven sawmill generator.
This completes your 280 mile circuit of the International Selkirk Loop where every mile is an adventure waiting your discovery. Come join us.
Kindly submitted by Carol Graham, Operations Director of the International Selkirk Loop.
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