Pend Oreille Scenic Byway
Idaho 200 from US 95 near Sandpoint along the north shore of Lake Pend Oreille, past Hope and Clark Fork, to the Montana line.
Also known as Idaho 200 along Lake Pend Oreille
- Length33 miles[1]
- Drive time40 minutes to drive, or two hours to see the whole byway[1]FHWA's "time to allow"
- RoadsSH-200 (Idaho 200)[2]
- Start and endUS 95 north of Sandpoint to the Montana state line[2]
- Fees and passesNo fee to drive the byway; Sam Owen Campground charges an entrance fee.[1]
- Best seasonYear-round, with fall color, spring fishing, summer on the lake and winter snow sports[3]
- SurfaceTwo-lane road with no passing lanes[3]
- Vehicle notesCan be icy in winter. The byway is in the Pacific Time Zone.[3]
- 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 29, 2026.
About the drive
The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway follows Idaho 200 east from US 95 just north of Sandpoint, along the north shore of Lake Pend Oreille, to the Montana state line. It is a short drive, about 40 minutes without stops, through forest with views over the lake and the Clark Fork River.
Hope has lodging, and Sam Owen Campground is one of the developed campgrounds along the way. Clark Fork, near the east end, sits on the river of the same name. Fishing, boating and hiking are the main activities, and the route is part of a cross-country bicycle tour.
The road can be driven all year. It is two lanes with no passing lanes and can be icy in winter. Spring brings trout fishing, summer is the busy lake season, and fall turns the deciduous trees along the road to color. Note that the byway is on Pacific time.
Stops along the way
-
Sandpoint
Town near the west end of the byway, with full services.
Official information · 48.2766, -116.55326 · about 0.9 mi from the route line
-
Hope
Small town with lodging along the byway.
Official information · 48.24771, -116.30714 · about 0.1 mi from the route line
-
Sam Owen Campground
Campground along the byway; it charges an entrance fee.
Official information · 48.21886, -116.28707 · about 0.8 mi from the route line
-
Clark Fork
Town on the Clark Fork River near the Montana line.
Official information · 48.14521, -116.17574 · 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
- Hope Farmers Market415 Wellington Place - Hope Memorial Community Center Hope, ID · about 0.1 mi from the route
- Farmers' Market at SandpointSandpoint, ID · about 1.0 mi from the route
- Troy Farmers' MarketTroy, MT · about 23.5 mi from the route
- Newport Farmers MarketNewport, WA · about 23.9 mi from the route
- ABC Farmers Market, ID · about 24.7 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.
In season during the best months to drive
The drive's best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Typical U.S. seasons from our Fresh Market Guide; local harvests vary.
- AlmondsAug, Sep, Oct
- Asian pearsAug, Sep, Oct
- BasilJun, Jul, Aug, Sep
- BlackberriesJun, Jul, Aug
Keep exploring
Scenic drives nearby
- International Selkirk LoopID, WA · about 39 mi away
- Lake Koocanusa Scenic BywayMT · about 53 mi away
- Northwest Passage Scenic BywayID
- Payette River Scenic BywayID
- Western Heritage Historic BywayID
- Pioneer Historic BywayID
More scenic drives in Idaho
Food and farms in the area
Sources
- America's Byways: Pend Oreille Scenic Byway (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Pend Oreille Scenic Byway: Driving Directions, byways.org (FHWA, archived copy) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Pend Oreille Scenic Byway: Visitor Services, byways.org (FHWA, archived copy) (checked 2026-10-29)
- 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).