Route 93 Idaho North

[sandrade]

Hi all, looking at a road trip on RT 93 north thru Idaho, early June. Not in any hurry and it looks like a spectacular road and I'm generally ok with technical driving/towing through passes etc. What's your experience on 93? Looks like some good camping, BLM, Federal, State, Private etc. Are there decent stops for gas and groceries? Heading north to Sandpoint/Sagel area, booked at Springy Point Army Corp of Engineers campsite. Anyone catch Verizon signal along the way? What say ye?
Appreciate the input/best
Steve
2015 FC 25, F150 8cylinder

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by sandrade

Hi all, looking at a road trip on RT 93 north thru Idaho, early June. Not in any hurry and it looks like a spectacular road and I'm generally ok with technical driving/towing through passes etc. What's your experience on 93? Looks like some good camping, BLM, Federal, State, Private etc. Are there decent stops for gas and groceries? Heading north to Sandpoint/Sagel area, booked at Springy Point Army Corp of Engineers campsite. Anyone catch Verizon signal along the way? What say ye?
Appreciate the input/best
Steve
2015 FC 25, F150 8cylinder

Very nice drive...do it:

[davejay]

Hey,
93 is a really nice drive. Kind of hilly, mad somewhat windy, but a nice ride. Have fun. DJ

[OilnH2o]

US Hwy 93 goes north through Idaho... then into Montana. A great drive, lots of options as you say.

US Hwy 95 also goes north through Idaho... then into Canada. From your "Springy Point" campground comment I think you need to clarify which route you're thinking of and asking about!

BTW both are great routes with lots to see and do - but different....

[sandrade]

Originally Posted by OilnH2o

US Hwy 93 goes north through Idaho... then into Montana. A great drive, lots of options as you say.

US Hwy 95 also goes north through Idaho... then into Canada. From your "Springy Point" campground comment I think you need to clarify which route you're thinking of and asking about!

BTW both are great routes with lots to see and do - but different....

Thanks, mostly interested in RT 93 from Arco to Rt 90 and any particular experiences people have had towing that route. Sagel/Sandpoint area is the ultimate destination.

[sandrade]

Originally Posted by davejay

Hey,
93 is a really nice drive. Kind of hilly, mad somewhat windy, but a nice ride. Have fun. DJ

Thanks DJ - any recommendations for camping, gas, groceries and fun along the way?

[sandrade]

Originally Posted by OilnH2o

US Hwy 93 goes north through Idaho... then into Montana. A great drive, lots of options as you say.

US Hwy 95 also goes north through Idaho... then into Canada. From your "Springy Point" campground comment I think you need to clarify which route you're thinking of and asking about!

BTW both are great routes with lots to see and do - but different....

Thank you, mostly interested in Rt 93 from Arco, Sandpoint/Sagel us the ultimate destination.

[herkvet]

Did this area late last summer and the smoke from the wildfires was horrible, as was the area from Sand Point up thru Bonners Ferry and into BC. Stop at Craters of the Moon near Arco and stay in the CG. Very cool. The roads are fine, especially if you are just taking your time.

[Magnet18]

If you're up for a small hike, goldbug hot springs is amazing
Iirc parking an airstream right at the trailhead would be difficult, but there are places to park right nearby

If you're not up for a hike, but up for a detour, sunbeam hot springs is right off 75 and has parking, and a side walk down to the river where the water mixes, lots of fun

You'll probably have to go all the way to Stanley to turn around, which won't be a chore, because Stanley is beautiful. Mountain village resort there has rv sites, and definitely book an hour in their hot spring around sunrise (I like hot springs)

Have fun!

[Magnet18]

Not sure about the technically of 75 with an airstream, I did it in a car and there are some switchbacks, bit if it can be done with your rig I would highly recommend it, it's MUCH prettier than that stretch of 93 (imo)
Arco to
Craters of the moon
Gas up in Ketchum
Stay and gas in Stanley
Gas again in challis (there's a 66 with pumps parallel to the road)
And you're on your way up 93

[zagos24]

Be sure to stop for some time at wagon hammer campground on the salmon river no of salmon I’d. Sightseeing and relaxing, my favorite campground

[Star Ship]

In Challis the Challis Hot Springs and Campground is a great place to stay. It's right on the Salmon River and the hot springs are nice with gravel bottoms that feel great on your feet. You may also get to see some Bighorn Sheep as they are all over the area.

[B00merang]

Do not "gas up" in Ketchum, ass Magnet recommends. Gas up in Shoshone, Bellevue, or Hailey (in that order) and you'll save a bunch of money. On the other hand...stop and eat in Hailey or Ketchum...after 4pm highly recommend the Pioneer in Ketchum.
On your way out of town you'll have a haul up Galena Pass, with the corresponding downhill on the other side to get into the head of the Salmon River. Camp in the lakeside campgrounds at Alturas or Redfish Lakes before you head to Stanley (which actually has no nice ones, but is a great little spot to eat pizza, shop, and have breakfast at the bakery in the am. You'll have t pay attention north of Stanley since the road follows the Salmon River (without guardrail). Its beautiful. Enjoy. jon

[Trons4u]

Being in . from Idaho there's lots of great places, some mentioned already.

Some of places I would recommend:
1. Shoshone Falls - aka Niagra of the West (in Twin Falls, ID)- Although they may not be as roaring as they are in Spring.
2. Salmon
3. Darby Montana - Stayed there last year for Logger Days, great little town. They have an huge candy store / antique mall that also has several outdoor metal art structures that include Bears, Indians, Stagecoach, Giraffe. If you like beer they also have a brewery.

[Pat Pierce]

Highway 93 is a wonderful road, and not much traffic in Idaho. If at all possible with time, a side trip over to Stanley and the Sawtooth Mountain backdrop is gorgeous as is the road from 93 to/from there. Not too far east of Stanley is a natural hot spring joining the river - just a short scramble from a few parking places.

Challis reminded me a little of Death Valley scenery. Very stark but wonderful geographic colors.

Someone mentioned the Wagonhammer RV park north of Salmon, where we stayed a couple years ago. One thing I learned about RV parks is to ask for sites not having sewer (unless of course I need it). in the office, they asked if we needed full hookups, and we said sure, why not? When driving to the site they gave us, it was horrible. We noticed vacant sites just above the river bank and I headed to the office to ask about getting one of them. They had water and electrical, and a dump station. RV park sewer systems layouts can lead to less than ideal sites. If we are only in a park for a night, I'll lean towards using a dump station if the sites are better.


Hwy 200 is highly recommended when heading to Sandpoint. Again, beautiful country with little traffic. Not too many RV parks or camping, but we found one in Thompson Falls.

Central Idaho is fabulous. We also used the road over LoLo Pass, the Lewis and Clark route, and visitor center on the pass.

Enjoy your trip.

[Burnside Bob]

The Tea Cup Cafe in Challis is a wonderful place to eat. Its an uncrowded, white napkin sitdown with surprisingly good, sophisticated food at a very modest price.

Who would ever guess such a place existed in boonie Idaho? We were able to park our tow vehicle and trailer across the street each time we visited.

If you are interested in things geological, by all means get a copy of Roadside Geology of Idaho. You will be amazed.

If you do opt to go thru Ketchum/Sun Valley and Stanley AND gold mining interests you, there is a gold dredge on the Yankee Fork of the Salmon. The dredge is open to the public summers and you can get right inside the beast. The Yankee Fork road takes off of 75 at Sunbeam, site of the previously mentioned Sunbeam hot springs, about 9 miles east of Stanley.

If you opt for US 93 north out of Arco, an adventurous side route is to take Double Spring Road off of US 93 over the mountains into the Pahsemeroi Valley, one of the wildest and least populated areas in the lower 48. Double Spring Road is gravel, but will connect with Pahsemeroi Valley Road, which received an oil and chip coat surface in 2016.

Another adventurous route is Lost River Road east from Ketchum over the mountains to US 93. The road follows the nascent Lost River. But if you do the Lost River Road, you will miss the Sawtooth Range, arguably the best fault block mountain range after the Grand Tetons, but without the crowds. The Sawtooths are spectacular and are on full display as you drive from Galena Summit up to Stanley.

You are in for one fantastic trip. And no worries--the roads are good so long as you observe the speeds posted for the curves.