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Best Fall Leaf Peeping Hikes in North Central Idaho

August 7, 2024

Colgate Licks Loop

With rewarding views of the Wild & Scenic Lochsa River and Bear Mountain, this trail is an excellent choice to meander, smell the crisp air, and throw a blanket in a meadow to soak in the fall colors. Walk through lush forests of pine, fir, and cedar. There's even a natural mineral lick that attracts a variety of wildlife for its mineral deposits that help bone and muscle growth. It's a short 1-mile loop trail off Highway 12, the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway at milepost 147.9.
Nearby Lodging: Lowell, Powell, Kamiah, Kooskia

Jerry Johnson Hot Springs

This is an easy one-mile hike each way to the three pools that are quite lovely and popular. Around milepost 152 on Highway 12 near Powell, you’ll see a parking area for the Warm Springs Pack Bridge. Walk across the pack bridge and take Trail 49 about one mile to the Springs.

If you get this far east on Highway 12 you might want to consider some more exploring in the area. At milepost 160 is the Lochsa Lodge, a nice place to stop for lunch. About six miles further is the DeVoto Memorial Grove – a stand of cedar trees, some over 1000 years old. There is a wonderful ¼ mile loop trail with interpretive signs about the forest ecosystem. At Lolo Pass is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. This excellent display has information on Lewis and Clark, the forest, Native Peoples, and much more.

Nearby Lodging: Lowell, Powell, Kamiah, Kooskia

East Moscow Mountain

This 4.1-mile hike is on a fire road that takes you to the summit of East Moscow Mountain. You'll pass a spur trail to a picnic area surrounded by old cedar trees. Once you reach the summit, you're greeted by this fantastic outcrop of granite. From the summit, you'll get magnificent views of the Palouse. In the autumn, the foliage in the meadows below the summit turns a brilliant orange-red.

Directions:
Starting at the intersection of US 95 at Idaho Rt. 8 in Moscow, travel 11 miles east on Rt. 8 to the village of Troy. Just before the village center, turn left onto Big Meadow Road (signed). Take the immediate left onto Randall Flat Road (signed). After two miles, turn right onto Tamarack Road (signed). Follow Tamarack Road for four miles until you reach the ridgeline and park.

Elevation gain: 900 ft

Nearby Lodging: Moscow, Troy, Deary, Elk River

Rapid River Trail

Head out on this 8.6-mile out-and-back trail near Riggins, Idaho. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 hours to complete. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The fall colors in early to late October make this a spectacular hike. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Elevation gain: 1,384 ft

Directions:
From Riggins, follow US-95 south about 4 miles. Turn west on Rapid River Road and follow for about 2.5 miles until you reach Forest Rd 2114A. Take a slight right and the trailhead will be on your right near the Salmon River School District.  

Nearby Lodging: White Bird, Riggins, Grangeville

University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

This 45-acre collection, on the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, is home to 2,500 kinds of plants.  Most of the plants are arranged in geographic regions depending on the plant’s origin and include Asia, Europe, and Eastern and Western North America.  Several display gardens, including a xeriscape demonstration garden, butterfly garden and collections of iris, day lilies, heathers and annual flowers are located at the south end of the Arboretum. Mostly gravel trails meander through the various areas. Pets are not allowed.

Nearby Lodging: Moscow

Seven Devils

The spectacular Seven Devils mountain range offers a variety of hikes from short and easy to long and strenuous. The He Devil peak (elevation approximately 9,400 ft) is the highest point in Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge. From Heaven's Gate lookout you can see entirely across the state of Idaho to Montana's Bitterroot Mountains as well as the surrounding peaks in Oregon and Washington. Winter can come early here so check the conditions and weather forecast before setting out.

Day Hikes - Several day hikes to nearby lakes offer an opportunity to explore the fall colors, see wildlife, and enjoy the views.

Backpacking the Seven Devils Loop - VisitIdaho.org has an excellent first-timer viewpoint of this multi-day trip.

Directions:
drive one-half mile south of Riggins on Hwy 95 to the Seven Devils Road and turn right (west). A 19-mile drive takes you to the lookout, campground facilities and the Hells Canyon Wilderness.

Nearby Lodging: White Bird, Riggins, Grangeville

Elk Creek Falls

Explore Idaho's tallest waterfall near Elk River and one of the best trails in Idaho. This 2.6 mile loop trail through the lush forest takes you to the three separate drops: upper, middle, and lower falls. Each has a separate spur off the main loop trail. The middle falls is the highest in Idaho. Benches dot the trail for peaceful respites. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.

Elevation gain: 652 feet

Directions:
From Elk River, take ID-8 north out of town. The road will curve and turn south for about 2 miles. Turn south on Forest Road 1452 (gravel road) for a couple of miles. It leads to the recreation area parking lot and trailhead.

Nearby Lodging: Elk River, Deary, Moscow

Clearwater-Snake River Recreation Trail

If you're looking for an easy and more urban hike, look no further than the 25-miles of paved pathways along the Clearwater and Snake Rivers. This trail connects parks, historic sites, and a variety of birds and wildlife. The tree-lined pathways are a brilliant landscape of color in mid to late October.

Nearby Lodging: Lewis Clark Valley

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest offers 4 million acres of beautiful and diverse land with many scenic trails for you to explore.

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