Travel back in time on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests!

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests' Historic Routes Project is a unique and exciting initiative that highlights the significant history and recreational opportunities available on three historic routes on the forests - the Lolo Motorway, Elk City Wagon Road, and Magruder Corridor. These routes follow historic trails that were used for centuries and now exist as roads following or bisecting these ancient trails. The Lolo Motorway follows both the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trails. The Elk City Wagon Road and the Magruder Corridor follow the Southern Nez Perce Trail.

Electronic Tour Sites

A cornerstone of the Historic Routes Project are the project's Electronic Tour Sites - digital kiosks deployed across the forest and in local communities, both at indoor visitor hubs and remote back-country locations, that allow visitors to access historical and interpretive information about the area.

At Electronic Tour Sites, forest visitors can download a variety of multimedia content onto their personal mobile devices in locations where there may be no WiFi or network connectivity. Visitors can then enjoy this content on their personal device for the rest of their visit to the forests, whether there is cell phone service or not.

Downloadable content at Electronic Tour Sites includes local historic information, photographs, maps, podcasts, videos, and brochures about the rich history of the region and nearby recreation opportunities. Content at each digital kiosk is unique and specific to its location. Once downloaded, visitors can refer to maps, watch videos, and view historic photos of the areas they are visiting as they continue their visit through the forests.

How does it work?

Electronic Tour Sites include an on–site router that enables visitors to download interpretive content to their mobile device via a local WiFi connection. Step–by–step instructions are available for visitors to connect their device to the network, where they may download the multimedia of their choosing.

No mobile network connection is required to download content at digital kiosks, and visitors do not have to download an app prior to visiting the digital kiosk in order to access the content. The WiFi network at Electronic Tour Sites only allows visitors to download Forest Service content. Users cannot upload content, check in to other websites, or make phone calls using the network at the digital kiosks.

Experience our Historic Routes

Thank you to everyone who has offered their support to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests' Historic Routes Project!

• Clearwater Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc.
• USDA Forest Service National Technology and Development Program
• The University of Idaho
• Lochsa Lodge
• Red River Hot Springs
• Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
• NeeMePoo (Nez Perce) National Historic Trail
• Friends of the Elk City Wagon Road
• Nez Perce Tribe Trail Crew
• Southern Nez Perce Trail
• Appaloosa Horse Club
• Discover Your Northwest
• All of our communities near and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
• Everyone else who is in support of this project – including outfitters and guides, local historians, friends groups, businesses, individuals, and forest visitors