Elk City, Idaho
About Elk City
One of the oldest communities in the Gem State Population: 170
5 fast facts
Elk City was founded in 1861 during the Pierce, Idaho gold rush. There is still gold here!
The town is the gateway to the Magruder Trail, running through thousands of acres of wilderness to Darby, Montana.
Elk City has a well-stocked General Store, 24-hour gas pumps, a laundromat, and all of the basics that you need.
The wilderness areas that surround Elk City are 2x as large as Delaware and Rhode Island combined!
Elk City has burned several times and has risen from the ashes more. Locals are tough, but have big hearts.
Why Elk city
Elk City has all of the solitude or adventure you could want—or both at the same time.
This small town at the end of Highway 14 is the last trace of civilization deep in the Nez Perce National Forest. South and east, you’ll find the Gospel Hump Wilderness and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, two of the largest wilderness areas in the lower 48.
If you’re looking for peace and quiet or incredible outdoor adventures, you won’t find a better place! After rolling through miles of wilderness trails along the Magruder Corridor or flying through feet of powder, a warm bed, tasty meal, and hot shower in Elk City will feel like heaven, and will match your feeling while exploring Idaho’s untouched—and non-touristy mountain paradise.
Things to do in Elk City
You’ve likely never been here, or heard of Elk City…so we have a video to show you first-hand of what’s in store for your trip.
Outdoor Activities
A quick list of things to do in Elk City
Fishing in the South Fork, Red River, or American River
steelhead and salmon fishing in the fall, and incredible trout (spinning and fly fishing) in the summer months.
Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing
Tons of snow, and no tracks. You won’t find untouched trails like these around McCall.
Hiking Trails and Trail Running
A Training for a marathon? Or, want to run for hours in the forest? Elk City is just miles from the Idaho Centennial Trail, one of the wildest trails in the country, running nearly 1,000 miles and crossing the entire state from the Canadian border to Nevada. Check it out here.
In the Selway-Bitterroot and Gospel Hump wilderness areas, you’ll have to walk in and out.
Hunting and wildilife adventures
Whether you’re hunting or exploring, you’ll see plenty of turkeys and deer year-round. There are also birds of prey (including bald eagles), elk, and moose (though not as many as before).
If you go further afoot, there are bears, wolves, and mountain lions. Be careful!
ATV trails
Hundreds of miles of logging roads and historic trails, including the Magruder Corridor jettison out from Elk City. During the summers, the local ATV club will groom and prep them for community-wide rides, including the Idaho County Sheriff Veterans Ride.
Idaho Gold Trail
Gold put Elk City, and ghost towns including Golden, Concord, Orogrande, and Dixie on the map—and there’s still plenty of gold out there! Explore history and wilderness in Elk City, and maybe even find a nugget! Wouldn’t that be a cool souvenir?
Local Tip:
Elk City is a four-season adventure land. It’s very much a choose-your-own-adventure type of place. Locals are friendly and helpful, but there are no official tour guides in town.
How to get to Elk City
Your adventure begins.
Elk City is at the edge of the wilderness. It’s a place where you can find yourself as easy as you can get lost.
Unlike other cities on the way here, Elk City is a true destination literally at the end of the road.
Few make it out here, but those who do are rewarded with a truly unique experience in the lower-48.
Local Tip:
You will have NO PHONE SERVICE in Elk City. Make sure your GPS or Maps app is configured correctly before you leave Grangeville or Kooskia.
How to Drive to Elk City
-
Lewiston (population 34,000) is the largest city in the area and has the nearest commercial airport, big box stores (Costco, Home Depot, North 40), and major services to Elk City.
Lewiston is about 100 miles (2.5 hours) away from Elk City and is a great base to explore the history and nature of the inland Northwest.
You’ll no doubt take the scenic route on your way—either climb up to the gorgeous Camas Prairie and see endless fields and rolling hills, or follow US Highway 12, part of the historic route Lewis & Clark took up the Clearwater River.
-
Elk City is 4 to 5 hours from Boise, depending on traffic. You can hop on ID 55 through McCall, or US 95 to New Meadows.
Along Highway 55, you’ll follow the picturesque Payette River through Cascade, Donnelly, and McCall.
Alternatively, US 95 takes you closer to Hells Canyon, the deepest in America, and is normally quicker during summer.
Both routes meet at New Meadows, a good place to have a quick pit stop.
40 minutes past New Meadows, you’ll pass Riggins, “Idaho’s Whitewater Capital.” From there, you’ll climb White Bird Hill beside the White Bird Battlefield, into Grangeville, the largest city in Idaho County. The time also shifts to Pacific Time just north of Riggins.
From Grangeville, you’ll head down Mt. Idaho and will follow the picturesque South Fork of the Clearwater River 59 miles to Elk City.
-
If you’re flying in, Spokane (GEG) offers the easiest access. There’s generally less traffic along your picturesque and historic drive.
On your trip to Elk City, you’ll float across the golden wheat fields of the Palouse and will pass through the twin college towns of Moscow and Pullman, before reaching Lewiston, Idaho’s first capital named after Meriwether Lewis.
Just east of Lewiston, you get to choose your scenic route.
Option 1: On US 95, you’ll climb to Cottonwood and Grangeville, then head east toward Elk City. This route is less curvy and crosses the open, rolling hills of the Camas Prairie before ducking east past Mt. Idaho and following the South Fork of the Clearwater to Elk City.
From Grangeville, it’s about 1.5 hours to Elk City and it’s likely the last place where you’ll have phone service.
Option 2: On US 12 you’ll embark down a part of the scenic route that Lewis and Clark took during their 1803 expedition. Once you reach Kooskia, (pronounced Koos-key) you’ll follow the South Fork of the Clearwater along ID 13 and ID 14 all the way to Elk City.
From Kooskia, it’s about 1.5 hours to Elk City and it’s likely the last place where you’ll have phone service.
-
The drive from Missoula to Elk City follows one of the most historic routes in American History. U.S. Highway 12 meanders nearly 100 miles through the Lolo Pass, following the Lochsa River to Kooskia (pronounced Koos-key).
From there, head south and follow ID 13 and ID 14 for 65 miles up the South Fork of the Clearwater to Elk City.
From Kooskia, it’s about 1.5 hours to Elk City and it’s likely the last place where you’ll have any phone service.
How to fly to Elk City
backcountry flying
-
We provide transportation to the cabins if you fly in. Call from the Saloon or the General Store.
The Elk City Runway is approximately 2,600 feet (2,000 feet long usable) and at 4200 feet in elevation.
The airport is unmanned and has three tie-downs for small aircraft.
The weather can change frequently. Summer temperatures get up to 95 degrees during the day; mornings are generally cool and clear, and can be foggy.
The nearest fuel is in Grangeville, Idaho County (KGIC), approximately 50 miles away.
It’s advised to circle the runway once as there may be deer.
Landing at the Elk City Airport (S90)
Local Elk City Businesses
In Elk City, you’ll find a small community that can meet your basic travel needs.
-
Elk City General Store
-
Laundromat
-
The Historic Elk City Hotel & Museum
-
The Saloon
-
The Wagon Road Station (Convenience Store)
-
24-hour Fuel Station
Summer Community Events
4th of July
The entire town pitches in to purchase fireworks. Elk City’s display is normally over 30 minutes long—and not just one firecracker every five minutes.
Elk City Road Rally
Carnival games meet ATVs. Elk City’s quirky, competitive, and fun side comes out to play mid-June.
Elk City Days
The second weekend in August is Elk City’s biggest community event, with a parade, games, auctions, and memories to last a lifetime. Don’t miss it.
FAQs
-
That depends on what you’re looking forward to on your trip. If you need a quiet and peaceful weekend away, anytime of year is fine.
Visit during spring for:Rainy and cool weather (normally up to 60 degrees, but it can snow!)
Steelhead fishing
Turkey hunting
Nature Photography—The wildflowers and green scenery are beautiful!
Kayaking during spring run-off (the water is high and FAST!)
Trout season opens Memorial Day Weekend
Visit during summer for:
LONG summer days (sunrise is about 5am, sunset is about 9pm)
Hot and dry weather (normally up to the mid 90s). Thunderstorms and power outages do happen during this time
ATV/UTV rides
Trout fishing (both spinning and flyfishing)
Salmon fishing in June
Campfires and s’mores
Elk City Days is the second weekend of August.
Visit during the fall for:
Cooler weather; early September is usually perfect. Mid 70s and dry—though it can snow!
Elk and deer hunting (bow, rifle, muzzleloader)
Fall steelhead fishing
Cool nights by the fire
Visit during the winter for:
Snowmobiling
Snowshoeing
Cross-country Skiing
-
You can get all of the basic food you need (meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy, cooking supplies, beer) at the General Store. If you drink Coke, you will need to bring some (they no longer carry Coca-cola products).
We recommend you bring (at the very least):
A fishing pole
Sturdy hiking boots
Wool socks
A weatherproof jacket
A hat
Sunglasses
A basic first aid kit
A camp knife
A map and compass or power bank for your phone
The power does go out (along with the Wi-Fi) from time to time, especially after a big storm. You may also want to bring books/reading material.
-
Elk City has a volunteer fire department and volunteer EMT. The County Sheriff will come out, but there is no 24-hour law enforcement.
If you’re going out into the backcountry from Elk City, be well prepared and be sure to have an emergency medical and vehicle kit.
-
All of the roads to Elk City are paved. Once you go past the Red River Ranger Station, all roads are gravel, dirt, or not maintained.
The last 50 miles from the bottom of Mt. Idaho to Elk City, along the South Fork of the Clearwater, are VERY windy. Generally there isn’t much vehicle traffic, though you’ll often see logging trucks during the day.
At dawn, dusk, and night, there are deer all over. Be EXTREMELY careful driving as they will run out into the road.
-
Many of Elk City’s residents are retired. In the past, logging was the main industry, though the mill closed about 30 years ago. There are a few families still here, and a few people work for the Forest Service.
-
Like anywhere, some are and some aren’t. If you’re looking to meet some of the local folk, come during the Elk City Days weekend in August, or attend a Road Rally. Don’t be intimidated and just strike up a conversation.
Many locals have been directly impacted by wildfires and rules and regulations surrounding the forest. They will share (and often defend) their viewpoints from years of direct experience of living here.
Got questions? Ask away!