Bikers Welcome at River Dance Lodge!

River Dance Lodge – Idaho’s Outdoor Adventure Resort is located on US Highway 12, one of only 27 “All American Roads” named in the National Scenic Byways Program. Between Lewiston, Idaho and Lolo, Montana, Highway 12 is a motorcyclists dream. The scenery is stunning as you travel along the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers. There are many sites of interest along the way, and our River Dance Lodge is a fabulous place to spend a couple of nights.

Here are a few sample rides.

Spokane, Washington loop:

Day 1: From Spokane ride south on the Dishman-Mica road to Freeman, Rockford, Fiarfiled and on to Tekoa. Head east on route 60 to join Highway 95 south and continue to Potlatch. Turn east onto Highway 6 and go to the turn off to Highway 9 that takes you to Deary. Continue south on Highway 3 to Kendrick. Here you have two choices.

A) Ride south to Julietta and the junction with US Highway 12 and then turn east and continue about another 1.5 hours to River Dance Lodge. Or:
B) Just before Kendick, take the road marked Dworshak Reservoir and ride up through Southwick. This is a winding and a bit narrow two lane road through farm country and fantastic motorcycle riding. You end up in Orofino, turn north and cross the Clearwater River, then left onto Highway 12 and you’re about an hour to River Dance Lodge.

Day 2: After a relaxing night at River Dance Lodge and a soak in your private hot tub, head out for a great day of motorcycle riding. You’ll head west 16 miles to Kooskia, then turn south on Highway 13 that follows the South Fork of the Clearwater River through Stites and then climbs up to Grangeville. This takes about an hour total. Grangeville is an all-American farming town with a few nice places to eat, a small museum and a great display of a wooly mammoth found not far from town. Head south to Cottonwood and visit Dog Bark Park and/or St. Gertrude’s Museum. Continue your Idaho motorcycle trip a bit further north on Highway 95 to Craigmont then turn east on Highway 62 to Nez Perce. From there continue on 62 to the town of Kamiah and you’re again on the Clearwater River. Enjoy a ramble around Kamiah, then back to River Dance Lodge for the night.

Day 3: Get an early start and head east on Highway 12 along the Lochsa River. The San Francisco Examiner, July 13, 2009 says: “Head for Lewiston, Idaho and….there you'll find a highway designated US 12, arguably the best motorcycling road in the west. Oh I know, Washington 20 has its fans, as do the rides around Mt. Helens and some choice bits of Oregon, but nothing compares to the pure stamina of US 12. It simply does not stop.”

So enjoy the ride. Stop at the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station or the DeVoto Memorial Grove of Cedars to stretch your legs and learn more about the area. Cross the summit and Lolo Pass where the Idaho/Montana border is and an excellent visitor’s center that tells about the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery that passed through here some 200 years ago. Continue to Lolo, Montana and turn north on Highway 93 through Missoula. It’ll take about three hours without stops to get from River Dance Lodge to Missoula. Avoid Interstate 90 by continuing north on 93 to Ravalli. Turn west on Highway 200 and ride to Parma, Paradise and Plains. Follow the Clark Fork River to Thompson Falls. Or, break up the journey by going south on 135 to St. Regis and joining one of ROW Adventures whitewater rafting trips on either the St. Joe River (May-June) or the Clark Fork River (July-August).

From Thompson Falls you’ll turn on the old Mullen Highway and cross back into Idaho ending up on the Coeur d’Alene River. Ride this gorgeous route along the river to Interstate 90 and then ramp onto the Interstate at Cataldo to return to Spokane.

This is a great 3-day ride that some may want to break up on Day 3 in order to make it a 4-day ride.


Missoula, Montana Loop:

Day 1: Head south on highway 93 to Lolo about 10 miles. Then turn west on Highway 12 for the spectacular motorcycle trip outlined above over Lolo Pass and along the Lochsa River. Arrive at River Dance Lodge after about three hours of riding time plus stops. The Lochsa Lodge is a great place to stop for lunch about 12 miles past Lolo Pass.

Day 2: As above, via Grangeville.

Day 3: Continue west on Highway 12 and turn right heading north to Julietta and Kendrick. Continue north to Deary on Highway 3 and at the T with Highway 8, turn right or east. Ride on through forests to Bovill, Clarkia and St. Maries. You might want to spend the night here, or continue up the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene a on Highway 97 and overnight in Harrison. Or, you can stay on Highway 3 and join Interstate 90 at Rose Lake. Now, you’re just a couple hours back to Missoula. Or, add another day by following the route from Cataldo to Thompson Falls.

These are just a few ideas many motorcyle trip ideas in Idaho!