Nez Perce Trail – Weippe to Kooskia Historic Route

The ruts carved by Corps of Discovery horses in September 1805 still guide this 42-mile backcountry connection between Weippe Prairie and Kooskia through the heart of Clearwater National Forest. You’ll cross Lawyer Creek twice, navigate the steep Weippe Creek descent, and pass the same camas meadows where Nez Perce tribal members first encountered the starving expedition members. The route follows mostly Forest Service Road 100, with several technical creek crossings and a challenging rocky section near Mile 28 where you’ll need to pick your line carefully through boulder fields.

Moderate difficulty requiring high-clearance 4WD with skid plates for the creek crossings and rocky sections. Best tackled May through October when snow clears from the higher elevations around 4,200 feet. No permits required, but carry extra water since the creek crossings aren’t always reliable for drinking. Dispersed camping available throughout, with excellent sites near Lawyer Creek. You’ll experience genuine frontier history while earning panoramic views of the Clearwater drainage that haven’t changed much since 1805.