Lemhi Pass to Salmon, Idaho
Sacajawea's Home
They spell it Sacajawea here! On this Inspiration Trip, you will find out why. Cross the Great Divide where Lewis and Clark and countless generations before them did. Then journey down the Lemhi River Valley to the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center below Salmon, Idaho. End your trip there or hire one of several outfitters to take you down the Salmon—The River of No Return. Or, you can drive down the river that Clark explored to Shoup, Idaho and beyond.
Learn more at our educational website: Sacagawea | Lemhi Shoshones | Lemhi Pass | Lemhi Valley
You may also like our L&C Travel Magazine!
Beaverhead County Museum has impressive displays of local history and a collection of Native artifacts and fossils that rival larger museums. The Old Depot building houses the Lewis & Clark Diorama, Audubon Bird Display, and Old Depot Theatre.
May: Mon–Fri 10am–4pm
June-August: Mon–Fri: 10am-5pm and Sat: 10am–4pm
Sep–Oct: Mon–Fri: 10am–4pm
Dillon, MT, USA
Beaverhead County Museum, South Montana Street, Dillon, MT, USA
Clark’s Lookout State Park, Clarks Lookout Road, Dillon, MT, USA
Beaverhead Rock State Park, Beaverhead Rock Road, Twin Bridges, MT, USA
Beaverhead County Museum, South Montana Street, Dillon, MT, USA
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Clark’s Lookout State Park, Clarks Lookout Road, Dillon, MT, USA
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Beaverhead Rock State Park, Beaverhead Rock Road, Twin Bridges, MT, USA
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At the Camp Fortunate Overlook, you are invited to imagine a scene more remarkable than fiction: Lewis and several Lemhi Shoshones have set up camp. Clark arrives with the boats to the relief of everybody. To the surprise of everyone there, Sacagawea is re-united with her family. Horse trading commences.
Camp Fortunate was between the present shore and the island—now inundated by the beautiful Clark Reservoir.
Lemhi Pass represents one of the highlights of the Lewis and Clark story. Here, they crossed the Great Divide and finally defined for all future geographers the complexity of the Rocky Mountain chains. Today, you can follow the old Native American trail and enjoy Lewis’s immense view:
“I discovered immence ranges of high mountains still to the West of us with their tops partially covered with snow.”
The road is gravel much of the way and very remote so take proper precautions. The summit has plenty of interpretation, a rest room, and a nice trail through the shady forest.
Lemhi Pass, Lemhi River, and Lemhi Valley derive their name from King Limhi of the Book of Mormon. In 1855, Fort Lemhi and the Salmon River Mission were established by the Mormon church to proselytize Shoshone, Bannock, Nez Perce, and Salish Flathead Peoples. Today, the marker sits above the old highway—now called Lemhi Road.
Sacagawea remains the most popular member of the expedition. Unfortunately, very little is known about her life, and oral traditions among various Nations provide conflicting information. On Lemhi Road, a marker memorializes her birth. A plaque there reads in part:
“The Indian woman, who guided the Lewis and Clark Expedition through this territory in 1805, was born near this spot in 1786.”
Another marker memorializing Sacagawea is on Idaho State Highway 28. A bronze plaque there reads:
“Near this site, on August 20, 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition first contacted waters flowing to the Pacific assuring the success of their efforts and guaranteeing title to the Northwest for the United States of America. They camped here, obtained horses and a guide and journeyed on. This was also the birthplace of Sacajawea, Idaho’s national heroine, a member of the Expedition.
Erected by Sons of Idaho and citizens of Lemhi County,
August 24, 1930.”
At the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center below Salmon, Idaho, you will hear the Agaidika Shoshone-Bannock Tribe’s version of Sacagewea’s story. For them she is family, and they have a strong oral tradition that her name was spelled <em>Sacajawea</em>. If you want to understand the mysteries surrounding this enigmatic woman, this center is the place to visit!
Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center, Main Street, Salmon, Idaho, USA
Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center, Main Street, Salmon, ID, USA
Salmon, Idaho, USA
Lemhi County Historical Museum, Main Street, Salmon, ID, USA
Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center, Main Street, Salmon, ID, USA
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Lemhi County Historical Museum, Main Street, Salmon, ID, USA
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While Lewis and most of the members stayed among their hosts, the Lemhi Shoshone, Clark and a small group went down the Salmon River to determine if they could continue by boat. After several torturous miles, Clark determined it was just as their Shoshone guide Toby said, the river was too wild for dugout canoes. Clark immediately dispatched Sgt. Gass back to Lewis to tell him they would need more horses.
Today, the river is nicknamed the River of No Return, because with all the rapids, travel is in only one direction—downstream. Several outfitters provide trips down the Salmon:
Some outfitters provide hunting trips by horseback in the wildlands along the river:
Not to be confused with the Salmon River Scenic Byway that goes through Salmon and North Fork, the Salmon River Road goes 47 miles from North Fork to the Corn Creek Launch Site—the doorway to the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.
The Salmon River Road is paved for the first 18 miles—to Shoup, Idaho—and subject to closures, so check ahead for conditions. There are a handful of lodges along the road.
Shoup, North Fork, Idaho, USA
Wagonhammer RV Park, U.S. 93, North Fork, ID, USA
Salmon, ID, USA
Wagonhammer RV Park, U.S. 93, North Fork, ID, USA
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Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.
