International Selkirk Loop

State: Idaho, Washington
Length: 144 miles / 230.4 km
Time to Travel: Allow at least 5 hours. 1-2 days recommended.

The International Selkirk Loop starts in Idaho, moves up to Canada, and then back down to Washington before circling back to Idaho. Overall, the byway measures 144 miles and takes about eight to ten miles to drive properly. What’s fun about this byway is you need a ferry ride at the Canadian border. If you visit the entire loop, expect to see crystal clear lakes and rivers, mountain trails, snow-covered peaks. Along the way, find charming towns filled with history and community events.

Begin at the very edge of the border between Washington and Idaho at the southern point of the byway. The first town in Idaho is Priest River, one of the state’s best-kept secrets. People looking for a recreation paradise can enjoy this town nestled in the Selkirk Mountain Range by the Priest River and the Pend Oreille River. Find RV parks, campgrounds, skiing, golfing, fishing, boating, hunting, and much more. Take the time to hike up the trail up to the top of the Gisborne Mountain for impressive views of nature and wildlife. Try out mushroom picking, too, with a bounty of options.

Next, head east to Sandpoint, where the Lake Pend Oreille forks over, leaving the town filled with water activities. It’s home to the Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach water park, perfect for children and teenagers. Adults can visit the arts and try out the local wine at the wine fest for music too. Those who prefer outdoor activities will find a variety of options, including camping and hiking or swimming in the lake.

Heading up the center of Idaho’s top portion, find a few small towns, including Elmira and Deep Creek, before landing in Bonner’s Ferry. They are mountain range dot the landscape, making for impressive views. Once in the larger town, find the Kootenai River flowing through the area, offering plenty of water activities. An old-fashioned downtown filled with unique shops and fun restaurants makes this a great place to stop for lunch before continuing on the journey. Also, the town includes the Kootenai River Inn and Casino, where you can unwind, relax, and enjoy a fun atmosphere.

The rest of the byway in Idaho follows the river curving continuously north towards Canada with a few smaller towns along the way. In the distance, you can see several peaks, including Lions Head, Smith Peak, and Parker Peak. The rugged terrain fills with a sea of trees and small creeks diverging off the river. Take this opportunity to explore nature before heading toward the other parts of the byway.
Get your passport ready as you enter Canada and follow the river up to Nicks Island and the Kootenai Mountain and Lake. Back on the trail, the byway curves at the top of the lake before moving downward and back into America via Washington state. Make sure to visit the Metaline Falls as you follow the Pend Oreille River back to Idaho. Not only does this byway visit three locations, but it takes you out of the mundane life and into wide-open spaces filled with peaceful nature.

More Idaho Byways

You can check out additional Byways in Idaho by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Idaho Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.