via Sandpoint | 4 hours 43 minutes | 260 miles
If your travel mantra includes “it’s as much about the journey as the destination,” this northern route from Spokane to Bigfork is for you. This slower-paced, scenic cruise takes you through the dense forests and winding backroads of the Inland Northwest.
Leaving Spokane, head north into Idaho’s panhandle and follow US-95 to Sandpoint, an artsy mountain town on Lake Pend Oreille’s 111 miles of shoreline. Park downtown and explore on foot: grab lunch and a slice at the Pie Hut, then stroll through shops at the Cedar Street Bridge Mall. For a quirky detour, duck into Foster’s Crossing for antiques and curiosities, then head over to The Rusty Trunk in neighboring Ponderay to browse more vintage finds.
When it’s time to hit the road again, you’ve got options. Cruise the Lake Pend Oreille Scenic Byway for 33 miles of lakeside beauty, or swing north on US-2 through Bonners Ferry. Bonners Ferry’s historic downtown is a don’t miss. Grab an old-fashioned malt at Under the Sun and peruse the boutiques. Pro Tip: Before you head out, the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge is worth the six-mile detour – especially in the fall when the birds are migrating.
Cross into Montana and turn south onto MT-56 through the Bull River Valley, where rugged peaks and quiet streams surround you. Stop at the Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area for a walk among 1,000-year-old giants towering 175 feet tall.
Back on US-2, follow the Kootenai River east to one of Montana’s most spectacular roadside stops – Kootenai Falls and the Swinging Bridge. Turquoise water thunders through a granite canyon, and the suspension bridge offers an exhilarating bird’s-eye view. Refuel at the nearby Trail Head Grill before the final stretch that opens into farmland before skirting the north shore of Flathead Lake to Bigfork.
