Nez Perce–Clearwater Forest Road Network — Red River to Elk City via the Gospel Hump Wilderness Divide
Old mining country, hot springs, and real Idaho wilderness.
The country between Red River and Elk City in north-central Idaho is the kind of place that makes you check your fuel gauge twice before you leave pavement. The Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forest forest road network here threads through old mining country, past legitimate hot spring soaks at Red River Hot Springs, and climbs into alpine ridgelines that touch 7,000 feet with views into the Gospel Hump Wilderness. FR 222, FR 468, and connecting spurs are the spine of this route, running roughly 55 miles through lodgepole pine, open ridgelines, and drainages that carry real snowmelt into June. Wildlife is dense — black bear, elk, and the occasional wolf pack territory. Mine tailings and collapsed glory-hole shafts pepper the ridges above Red River.
Rated high-clearance 4WD in dry conditions; moderate to difficult after rain or early in the season when afternoon thunderstorms churn the clay sections into grease. A stock high-clearance 4WD handles it fine in summer — lockers help on the steeper loose sections above timberline. No fuel between Red River and Elk City, period. Top off in Grangeville or Kooskia before heading in. Best window is July through September — the road is typically gated until snowmelt clears, and early October snowstorms can close it fast. No formal permit required. Dispersed camping is wide open across the Nez Perce–Clearwater, and the hot springs at the start of the route earn their own category entirely.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 55 mi / 88.5 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7200 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Elk City, ID |
| Land manager | Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forest — Red River Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forest Red River Hot Springs Recreation Area |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this route, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner can run this trail in dry conditions. Lockers or a rear locker help on the steeper loose sections near the divide, but they're not mandatory — aired-down tires and a patient throttle foot go a long way here.
When does this route actually open after winter, and is snow a real concern?
July through September is the reliable window. The high point sits at 7,200 feet, and snow can linger on the north-facing sections well into June — sometimes July in heavy years. Check with the Red River Ranger District before heading out in early season; they'll know the current road status better than any website.
Do I need a permit to drive this route or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the forest road network. Dispersed camping on Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forest land is free and generally allowed unless posted otherwise. Red River Hot Springs has developed camping with fees — expect to pay if you're using that facility.
What's the hardest section of this route and what should I actually expect?
The stretch climbing toward the Gospel Hump Wilderness divide is where the trail earns its high-clearance rating — narrow two-track, off-camber shelf road, and loose rocky pitches with elevation gain that punishes overheated brakes on the way down. It's not technical rock crawling, but it's not a Sunday drive either; one bad line on a soft shoulder and you're in trouble with no one nearby to pull you out.
Are the water crossings on this route passable without a snorkel, and how do they change by season?
Most crossings are ford-able in a stock high-clearance 4WD during July through September when flows are down. Early season snowmelt — June and early July — can push water levels high enough to make some crossings genuinely sketchy for anything without significant ground clearance and a snorkel. Get out and walk every crossing before you commit; there is zero cell service on this entire route if things go sideways.
Trail track
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