Highway 93 and 75 in Idaho

US93 climbs to Lost Trail pass on the state border. You can look up the numbers. Either Montana or Idaho DOT gives grades. It's high enough to have a ski resort, and snow flurries in June. But it is a major NS highway.

The drive from Salmon to Challis to Stanley follows a fork of the Salmon River. So it has curves but minimal grades. Camping along the river is mostly BLM.

US93 south from Challis follows a broad valley (with a low pass).

ID75 south from Stanley has a somewhat higher pass. But Stanley itself is one of the higher towns in Idaho.

I explored the Custer route one cold spring, but did not take it all the way. I wouldn't recommend it unless you already have experience on gravel roads with your rig.

We drove route 93 from Missoula to Arco back in 2010. An absolutely beautiful drive! There was one pass to go over, but I don't recall any issues.

If you have time, stop in Lolo to visit the actual location of the Traveler's Rest campsite used by Lewis & Clark. Not a lot to see, but an archeological dig found evidence that they were there. There were several other locations along route 93 with interpretative signs regarding Lewis $ Clark.

Hello everyone,

First post, I just registered.

If you have time, there is good camping along the Salmon River if you turn west at North Fork. It is a dirt road. I t is a great drive and you can take s dirt road south and it will come out just north of Challis. It is slow though.

Salmon, Idaho is worth a stop. Nice town. There is a pub/restaurant we like there with good cold beer. It is a burger and fry type of place. It is the largest restaurant on the main road. You will see it on one of the corners.

Challis, Idaho has a campground next to some nice hot springs.

From Challis you have 3 main options:

1. One is to stay on the oil and head to Arco. The drive to Arco is faster and you go through a wide valley with mountains on each side. There is a campground on Mackay Res. but it can get windy. It is used more for fishing. You also go by Mount Borah, the highest point in Idaho. At Arco head south west to Shoshone.

2. Stay on oil and head to Stanley. Most people would prefer this route. You go through the Sawtooth Mountains. Camping possibilities are abundant. You go through Ketchum/Sun Valley then straight south to Twin Falls.

3. My favorite way to go. I have done this 3 times. At Challis leave oil for the Custer motorway, a dirt road that is an historic stage route. This way you go through the ghost town of Custer and come out at Sunbeam, just north of Stanley. You also go by the discarded Yankee Fork Gold Dredge. Not a perk in my opinion. But it does show you to what degree people are willing to destroy the land for money. The dirt road is not too bad. My Mom took her RV down it without any trouble (even though the signs don't recommend it). This way also takes you through Stanley, the Sawtooth mountains, and Ketchum.

Have a great trip! All 3 route are great.
Kirk