Day 1 – Newport, WA to Sandpoint, ID

Enter the Loop at Newport, WA on Hwy 2 following the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage Scenic Byway east to Sandpoint.

Explore the twin towns of Newport, WA & Oldtown, ID

• Pend Oreille County Historical Museum & Visitor Center
• Shopping district
• Lion’s Club Visitor Center, river access and boat launch

Discover Priest River and activities:

• Tour Albeni Falls Dam & short Interpretive Program
• Priest River Museum & Timber history
• Several nice parks to enjoy

Spend some time getting to know the Sandpoint area:

• Lake Pend Oreille Tour, board at city beach downtown
• Winery Tour & tasting, downtown
• Blue Cheese Factory Tour (only makers of kosher blue cheese in US)
• Bonner County Museum & Native Plant Arboretum
• Award winning Small Arts Town – great shopping district
• Schweitzer Mountain Resort – year-round outdoor activities: hiking, biking & skiing

Night 1 – Stay in Sandpoint (largest community on US side of tour)

Day 2 – Sandpoint, ID to Nelson, BC

Follow Hwy 95 north on the historic Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway

• McArthur Lake Wilderness Corridor & Management Area

Enjoy the beautiful Bonners Ferry area:

• Kootenai River Inn Casino & Health Spa
• Historic downtown shopping district
• Par 3 golf course
• Kootenai National Wildife Refuge – auto tour route & hiking trail to Myrtle Creek Falls
• Roman Nose Lakes & Snow Creek Falls in the nearby Selkirk Mountains (allow several hours)

Cross the International Border at Porthill, ID on Hwy 1
Some Creston & Kootenay Lake East Shore possible activities:

• Columbia Brewery Tour (home to the Kokanee brand)
• Creston Valley Wildlife Mgmt. Area – guided canoe tours, boardwalks, interpretive center, observation towers
• Vibrant downtown shopping district, stunning murals

Follow Hwy 3A along the stunning east shore of Kootenay Lake – allow ample time, there are lots of curves – From Creston to the Ferry Landing (with no stops) allow 1 hour and 15 minutes minimum – the Ferry schedule is in the Loop Travel Guide, on our Map or here on the website

• Glass House Tour in Boswell
• Artisan Colony of Crawford Bay – see artists in action
• Kokanee Springs Golf Resort
• Ferry Crossing of Kootenay Lake – Free – 35 minutes, must cross to continue on the Loop drive

Disembark Ferry at Balfour, turn south (left) to Nelson on Hwy 3A

• Stop at the beach, explore or camp for the night at Kokanee Cree Provincial Park
• Explore the small, unique communities of Harrop & Procter – a five minute cable ferry ride over the West Arm of Kootenay Lake

Discover Nelson downtown and area:

• Guided tour of Historic Buildings with rich history of area.
• Electric streetcar (restored from the 1920’s) ride along waterfront
• Nelson Museum and Gallery
• Excellent downtown shopping district – award winning small arts community
• Stroll along Nelson’s Lakeside Park
• Whitewater Ski Resort – downhill & Nordic skiing, plus summer mountain biking trails
• Capitol Theatre – performing arts
• Challenging golfing at Granite Point

Night 2 – Spend the night in Nelson (largest community on the BC side of the Loop – 10,000 population)

Day 3 – Nelson, BC to Newport, WA

Follow Hwy 6 south to Salmo and the International Border at Nelway
Historic communit of Salmo:

• Stone murals on many of the buildings
• “Rails to Trail” fat tire cycling trail between Nelson and Salmo

Cross the International Border at Nelway, follow Hwy 31 that follows the North Pend Oreille Scenic Byway to Tiger
Explore the Metalline Falls area:

• Mill Pond Historic Site and Interpretive trail (2 mi. north of Metalline Falls)
• Historic Metalline Falls
• Cutter Theater and Museum, downtown
• Sweet Creek Falls trail and picnic area
• Gardner Caves Tour (reservations required) at Crawford State Park (2nd largest sandstone caves in Washington)
• Box Canyon Dam Tour & Interpretive Center

Discover the unique town of Ione:

• Sullivan Lake Recreation Area & Ranger Station
• Ione City Park

The crossroads at Tiger (Juntion of Hwy’s 31 & 20), follow south on Hwy 20 to Newport

• Store, Museum and public restrooms – discover the history of this area

Hwy 20 from here to Newport is the Pend Oreille Valley Scenic Byway

• Roadway follows the beautiful Pend Oreille River to Newport
• Batey-Bould ORV (off road vehicle) Park – 40+ miles of trails in the Selkirk Mountains, Cusick WA
• Upper & Lower Wolf Loop Hiking Trails – short, accessible and scenic, just north of Newport
• Newport Ranger District Office – stop in for more recreational opportunities in the area, just north of Newport

Night 3 – Option to stay in Newport or return to Spokane, WA (45 minutes) on Hwy 2