International Selkirk Loop
A loop around the Selkirk Mountains through north Idaho, northeast Washington and British Columbia, with lakes, rivers and a free ferry.
Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation, America's Byways collection (National Archives), Public domain, source
- Length144 miles in the U.S.[1]The full loop through British Columbia is about 280 miles.
- Drive timeEight to ten hours for the whole loop, including a ferry ride and border crossings[1]FHWA's "time to allow"
- RoadsNot verified
- Start and endA loop through Idaho, Washington and British Columbia around the Selkirk Mountains[1]
- Fees and passesNo fee for the Kootenay Lake ferry[1]
- Best seasonNot verified
- SurfaceNot verified
- Vehicle notesThe full loop crosses the U.S.-Canada border twice, so bring the travel documents the border requires.[1]
- Seasonal closuresNot verified
Before you go
Road status and weather can change quickly. Check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Facts last checked against the sources on October 22, 2026.
About the drive
The International Selkirk Loop circles the Selkirk Mountains through north Idaho, northeast Washington and southern British Columbia. About 144 miles of the loop are in the U.S.; the full trip is roughly 280 miles.
On the Idaho side it passes Sandpoint on Lake Pend Oreille and Bonners Ferry on the Kootenai River. In Washington it follows the Pend Oreille River past Metaline Falls. The Canadian section includes a free ferry across Kootenay Lake.
Plan eight to ten hours for the whole loop, including the ferry and two border crossings, or drive just the U.S. part as a day trip.
Stops along the way
-
Newport
Washington town at the Idaho line.
Official information · 48.17963, -117.04327 · about 0.0 mi from the route line
-
Metaline Falls
Small town on the Pend Oreille River in Washington.
Official information · 48.86382, -117.37248 · about 0.0 mi from the route line
-
Sandpoint
Lakeside town on Lake Pend Oreille.
Official information · 48.2766, -116.55326 · about 0.0 mi from the route line
-
Bonners Ferry
Town on the Kootenai River.
Official information · 48.69133, -116.31632 · about 0.0 mi from the route line
Stops are listed in order along the route; the numbers match the map. Stop locations come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey place-names database, the stop's own official page or, where noted in the data, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors).
Food along the way
Farmers markets within about 25 miles
- Bonners Ferry Farmers' MarketBonners Ferry, ID · about 0.0 mi from the route
- Ione Farmers & Artisan MarketIone, WA · about 0.0 mi from the route
- Farmers' Market at SandpointSandpoint, ID · about 0.1 mi from the route
- Newport Farmers MarketNewport, WA · about 0.1 mi from the route
- Hope Farmers Market415 Wellington Place - Hope Memorial Community Center Hope, ID · about 12.4 mi from the route
Markets keep their own seasons and hours, so check with the market before you go. Find more in the Farmers Market Finder.
Sources
- America's Byways: International Selkirk Loop (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-22)
- International Selkirk Loop Scenic Drive (Visit Idaho) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-22.
Written by VanillaGoods from the cited official sources. This is a drive to know, not a ranking. Road status and weather can change quickly; check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Spot something out of date? Email help@vanillagoods.com (help@vanillagoods.com).