Forum Discussion

mlmurrah's avatar
mlmurrah
Explorer
Oct 03, 2021

Lemhi Pass, Idaho

We are planning a Lewis and Clark trail RV trip. I'd like to do Lemhi Pass, but You Tube videos show an unpaved road with narrow, shelf sections. We do not have a toad for our Winnebago View like the Jeep Wrangler we towed with our former rig. It does not appear to be a good idea to take the View that way. Looks like our only choice is to stay in Butte and rent an SUV for a day trip. But it seems like it would be a pretty long day. Can anyone provide us with advice on this? Is Butte the closest place to rent a car or even an offroad vehicle like a Polaris RZR?
Roads and Routes
  • mlmurrah's avatar
    mlmurrah
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2021
    ReneeG wrote:
    Try Salmon, Idaho. That's closer than Butte.


    I looked at Salmon but did not see any car rentals.
  • mlmurrah's avatar
    mlmurrah
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2021
    I tried the Wild Side web site, but I see no mention of rentals, only sales. Even if I could rent an ATV, there are probably state regulations that would prevent me from driving it.
  • ReneeG's avatar
    ReneeG
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2021
    What about Dillon, MT? A little further than Salmon, but closer than Butte.
  • paulj's avatar
    paulj
    Explorer II
    Oct 04, 2021
    My impression from videos and comments is that driving up the Montana side is easier than the Idaho. It's not as steep, and relatively open, basically a ranch road that climbs. Still only you can judge whats safe for your RV.

    I haven't driven it. Last time through the area I camped near Salmon (BLM) and crossed over Lost Trail Pass. This was early June, and we actually got snow flurries at the top. I checked out the road to the east that goes past a battlefield memorial site, but decided I didn't have time to go all the way.
  • stickdog's avatar
    stickdog
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2021
    Hamilton, MT is closer than Butte and has an Enterprise
    rental. US 93 down to Salmon covers a good portion and an important section of the Lewis and Clark trail.
    If you plan on doing Lolo pass you'll be right on track after Lemhi pass.
    Wife and I did Lemhi 2 years ago in the pickup,a pleasant drive.
    Got to straddle the head waters of the Missouri.
  • ReneeG's avatar
    ReneeG
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2021
    Let us know how the trip is. I wanted to do it with our dually while leaving our FW at a nearby BLM campground, but hubby didn't think the road was wide enough in some spots for the truck. Your first hand experience will provide great information.

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