International Selkirk Loop

Nestled between three mountain ranges on magnificent Lake Pend Oreille, ?this small arts town is also a sporting paradise. The community offers four full seasons of outdoor recreation and cultural events that you typically only find in the large cities. Sandpoint is amazing.

Schweitzer ranks as one of the nation’s top winter destinations with 2900 acres of amazing terrain thanks to its two massive bowls and renowned tree skiing.  This amazing resort offers some of the best mountain biking in the area too and overlooks the town of Sandpoint, ID and offers breathtaking views of three states, Canada and the impressive Lake Pend Oreille.

Priest Lake is located in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains and earns its “Crown Jewel” status because of the clarity and purity of its water. The pristine 19-mile long lake coupled with the surrounding mountains offer a myriad of year-round recreation opportunities.

Located just 30 miles south of the Canadian border, Bonners Ferry offers unlimited outdoor recreation coupled with down-home friendly atmosphere. The surrounding mountains offer a half-million acres of public lands, 350 miles of hiking and biking trails and numerous mountain lakes, rivers and streams.  Pick up a trail map at the visitor center and stop at the unique shops in the historic downtown.

Nestled beside the Selkirk Mountains, this 2,774 acre refuge provides diverse habitats for 220 species of birds, 45 species of mammals, and 22 species of fish. It is located with the Pacific Flyway providing excellent opportunities to view migratory birds throughout the year. Open year round, a 4.5 mile loop tour road for automobiles and bicycles guides visitors to wildlife observation points and foot trails provide access to wildlife habitats and waterfall viewing.

Nestled between the Selkirk and the Purcell Mountains, the attractive town of Creston presides over a broad and fertile river valley, where the Kootenay River comes home to Kootenay Lake. It’s an agricultural region, with dairy farms and orchards dotting the surrounding landscape.

Crawford Bay is a small community on Kootenay Lake in southeast British Columbia and home to a diverse group of Artisans, (craftspeople).  Their unique, even quirky studios (look for log, straw-bale and an ex-bootleggers building) are within easy walking distance from each other. Watch them work, ask questions and purchase a treasure.

Riding the Kootenay Lake ferry is the highlight of the trip for many travelers. The 35-minute ferry ride is the longest FREE ferry ride in the world and offers spectacular views of Kokanee Glacier. Enjoy the trip!

Whether you experience Ainsworth Hot Springs in the pool or cave, you are sure to enjoy an experience like no other. Open year round, the hot springs are nestled in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, with a birds-eye view overlooking the majestic Kootenay Lake.

Considered the “Heritage Capital of the Kootenays,” Nelson’s turn-of-the-century ambiance is found at every corner. Enjoy Baker Street’s Bohemian flavor, and experience a great day of shopping, stroll the waterfront pathway along the shores of Kootenay Lake, or hop aboard the restored electric Streetcar #23. This eclectic community is a favorite among travelers.

The Boundary Hydroelectric Project, located on the Pend Oreille River in Northeastern Washington, supplies almost half of Seattle City Light's power. Discover the Boundary Hydroelectric Project nestled in the foothills of the Selkirk Mountains and positioned along the banks of the scenic Pend Oreille (pronounced "pond-ah-ray") River.

Once accessible only by horseback or river expedition, Metaline Falls was one of the first pioneer settlements in Pend Oreille County. It is now home to a charming collection of well-preserved historical architecture and was the location for Kevin Costner’s film “The Postman”.

The Box Canyon Hydroelectric Project was completed in 1956 and today provides its customers with clean and reliable energy. It is located on a narrow portion of the Pend Oreille River and tours begin at the visitor center. In addition the site also provides camping, swimming and an excellent spot for a picnic.

Tiger can be found at the junctions of Highways 20/31, four miles south of Ione. At this junction is the Tiger Historical Center and Museum, the only remaining building of the once thriving community of Tiger. The store was built in 1912 and served as a general store and Tiger’s post office until 1975.

The refuge is the only mountainous, mixed-conifer forest refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge system. Take the auto tour route through the refuge for great viewing opportunities of more than 200 nesting and foraging migratory bird species, 58 mammal species and 14 reptile and amphibian species on over 40,000 acres.

North of Usk on the Kalispel Reservation, a sign reading simply that “A beautiful grotto exists” marks the entrance to one of the tribe’s most sacred places. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and open to the public, the natural cave system at Manresa Grotto was the site of early Catholic missionary efforts in the region.

The region’s most fascinating points of interest await on the 4,600 acre Kalispel Tribe’s Reservation, across the river from Usk. The Tribe manages a large herd of buffalo providing an excellent viewpoint for visitors along LeClerc Road. The tribe also operates a bass fish hatchery, casino and campground.

The Pend Oreille County Historical Society & Museum consists of several buildings, which were taken from different locations and reassembled here. Three log cabins, which were detached and reconstructed on the museum grounds are named as Hunter’s Cabin, the Settler’s Cabin and the Claire HoI Schoolhouse. The replica of a fire lookout has also been constructed by following the blueprints of Forest Service.