A sacred place of the nimíipuu connects the landscape around Kamiah with a creation story: In it, Iceye’ye (Coyote) killed a great monster near present-day Kamiah. Heart of the Monster is associated with this tradition and gives cultural history in Idaho County a tangible place. There are also historic camps and routes, traces of the mammoth era, and landscapes stretching from Camas Prairie to the Salmon River.

Heart of the Monster: Tradition and Trails

Heart of the Monster is in eastern Kamiah on a 53-acre site, about two miles upriver from the bridge over the Clearwater River. An interpretive shelter features two exhibits and audio programs about the legend of Coyote and the monster. The nimíipuu tradition is thus at the center of a place where you can also explore the surroundings: a trail about 0.2 miles long leads to the rock painting. An unpaved, scenic trail can be extended into a loop hike about 0.5 miles long in total.

Another historic site on the Clearwater River is Choppunish Camp, also known as Camp Chopunnish, Long Camp, or Camp Kamiah. The Corps of Discovery camp was located in what is now Idaho County. The expedition stayed there from May 14 to June 10, 1806, for almost a month. This extended stay offers a different perspective on the region’s history than the creation story of Heart of the Monster.

Historic Routes and Navigation

The U.S. Forest Service operates a visitor center and rest area at Lolo Pass. The historic route can be followed on U.S. Highway 12 or Forest Road 500, also known as Lolo Motorway. Lewis and Clark traveled the historic Nez Perce Trail at the pass in 1805 and 1806. During the War of 1877, the Nez Perce followed it as far as Montana.

White Bird Hill Summit is a mountain pass on U.S. Highway 95, halfway between White Bird and Grangeville. The highway summit is 4,245 feet (1,294 m) above sea level and forms the watershed between the Salmon River and Camas Prairie. There are several viewpoints along the route, some with historical information. White Bird Battlefield is about 15 miles south of Grangeville and approximately 0.5 miles from Whitebird. A historic information marker about Camas Prairie is on U.S. Highway 95, about six miles south of Grangeville.

Camas Prairie and Mammoth Finds

Camas Prairie consists of rolling hills and plains in a treeless landscape between the Salmon River and Clearwater River watersheds. Tolo Lake is the prairie’s largest natural body of water and a traditional gathering place for many nimíipuu groups. The landscape and its history also come together in Grangeville: a real mammoth humerus is on display at the Visitor Center. It was discovered and excavated at nearby Tolo Lake in September 1994.

The Kamiah Historical Society and Museum contains mammoth bones found on the outskirts of town on Sig Grove’s property. The museum welcomes school classes and tour groups, as well as family groups by appointment. A life-size replica of a mammoth skeleton can also be seen at Eimers-Soltman Park in Grangeville. Mammoths are represented in different ways at several locations: as a real find at the Visitor Center, as bones in the museum, and as a replica in the park.

Maps and brochures are also available at the Grangeville Visitor Center. If you’re planning a visit, check the current opening hours.

River, Winter, and Local Traditions

On the Lower Salmon River, Island Bar Recreation Site is a frequently used launch site for rafting, kayaking, and jet boating. It is near large sandy beaches and provides access to the Salmon River. For visitors more interested in winter activities, Snowhaven is seven miles north of Grangeville. During the winter season, it offers family skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, as well as equipment rentals and lessons. As seasonal operations may vary, check the information for your travel dates.

In Kamiah, BBQ Days continues a free barbecue tradition that began in 1936 and has been held over Labor Day weekend for more than 80 years. Check event dates and details before making plans. Discover more destinations: Grangeville, Kooskia, Stites, Caribou County, Bonner County, Adams County, Bonneville, Canyon.

For the main travel overview: Idaho.