Orofino is in North Central Idaho.

Understand

Clearwater River in Ahsahka, Idaho

Orofino is the main city on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. It is close to where Lewis & Clark put their canoes in on the Clearwater River for the last stretch of their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. It is also close to the Dworshak Dam, the third-highest dam in the United States, behind Oroville Dam in California and Hoover Dam on the Colorado.

Its setting amongst tumbly semi-arid hills and the Clearwater River is quite attractive.

Get in

Orofino is off the beaten track. It lacks services by mass public transit, and your best bet is to drive there on Idaho Route 12.

See

Dworshak Dam

• 1 Canoe Camp - Nez Perce National Historic Park, ☏ +1 208 476-3746. This marks the site where Lewis and Clark worked with the Nez Perce to carve out canoes that would take them to the Pacific. It can be a quick stop. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Dworshak Visitor Center, 1842 Viewpoint Rd, Ahsahka, ☏ +1 208-476-1255. M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM. Here you can visit the third tallest dam in the U.S., right behind Oroville and Hoover. It was built in 1973 and stands at 717 from the riverbed, looking like a concrete fortress. Tours give you a chance to explore the top and other parts of the facility. Free. (updated Oct 2021)
• 3 Clearwater Historical Museum, 433 Bartlett St, ☏ +1 208 476-5033. M, W-F 11AM-5PM. Regional historical displays. (updated Oct 2021)

Do

• 1 Dworshak Fish Hatchery, 276 Dworshak Complex Drive, ☏ +1 208 476-3331. Daily 9AM-3PM. The original objective was to replenish fish populations that might have been depleted by the dam, but it is fun to view the fish and surroundings with the dam in the background. (updated Oct 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Helgeson Place Hotel Suites, 125 Johnson Ave, ☏ +1 208 476-5729. Hotel set in brick building. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Best Western Lodge At River's Edge, 615 Main St, ☏ +1 208 476-9999. Nice views of the river and then an indoor pool and nice breakfast spread in the morning. (updated Oct 2021)
• 3 Pink House Recreation Site, 4815 US-12, ☏ +1 208 962-3245. A tranquil place to camp along the Clearwater run by the BLM, even has a "beach" along the river. $10 per tent site. (updated Oct 2021)