Oregon Trail Bear Lake Scenic
Byway
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 Southeast Idaho, from the Utah
border, through Soda Springs and west to McCammon, has been traversed by
travelers since before recorded history. First by various tribes of natives on
their way to “Po-Ha-Ba,” the healing waters of the hot springs at Lava Hot
Springs, later by fur trappers, then emigrants on the Oregon Trail. The
Union Pacific Railroad opened the area to freight and passengers circa 1880,
McCammon was a stop on “The Gold Road,” the stagecoach and supply road from Salt
Lake City to the gold mines in Montana.
View Our Google Map for details and directions. Printable Map and Itinerary |
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1. Bear Lake Portal and Overlook
Often called The Caribbean of the Rockies for its intense turquoise blue
water. Bear Lake is home to several species of fish found nowhere else in
the world, such as the Bonneville Cisco. During pioneer times, Bear Lake was
the site of Mountain Men Rendezvous' and fur trading. Year round recreation
includes swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. Just
north of the Utah line on U.S. 89 at Milepost 2.2.
42° 1'59.23"N, 111°23'49.77"W |
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2. Gutzon Borglum Monument
Gutzon Borglum was a prolific American sculptor best know for his presidents'
sculptures on Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. Borglum was born in St. Charles,
Idaho in 1867. His marble head sculpture of Abraham Lincoln is on display in
the Capitol Rotunda. Two stone monuments honoring Borglum are located in St.
Charles at Milepost 8 on U.S. 89 between Center Street and 1st North.
42° 1'59.23"N, 111°23'49.77"W
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3. North Beach State Park - North
North Beach State Park offers over two miles of sandy beach for day use. The
park sits on the north end of Bear Lake which is 20 miles long and 8 miles
wide. It is a water sports Mecca attracting boaters, water skiers, and beach
lovers from all over the country. Anglers can try for a native cutthroat or
lake trout in the summer. In the winter, they come back with buckets and
nets when the Bonneville Cisco run. 4 miles east of St. Charles.
42° 7'12.31"N, 111°17'48.86"W
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3. North Beach State Park - East
East Beach, with 966 acres, features a 48-unit campground with
water, electricity, and dump station. It also has two group camp areas with
electricity, water, shelters, grills, and tables. South of the campground is
a large day-use area with three group shelters and 5 acres of grass,
drinking water, restrooms, tables, and fire grills. It has about 2.5 miles
of beach access. It has a small boat ramp that is usable during high water.
7 miles from North Beach on East Shore Road. 42° 1'44.63"N, 111°15'25.82"W |
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4. Minnetonka Cave
Minnetonka is the largest limestone cave in the state. Located near
the town of St. Charles, the cave is a geologic wonder dating back nearly
320 million years. Breathtaking passageways extending more than 2000 feet
into the hill side contain nine rooms of fascinating stalactites,
stalagmites and banded travertine. Located outside St. Charles on paved St.
Charles Canyon Road, which leads 10 miles west up St. Charles Creek to the
cave. 42° 5'17.12"N, 111°31'9.79"W |
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5. Bear Lake National
Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1968, the wildlife refuge is a major nesting area for
Great Basin Canada geese, sandhill cranes, and mallards, pintails,
canvasback, and redhead ducks. Other waterfowl include herons, egrets,
terns, rails, ibis, bitterns, grebes, avocets, and white pelicans. The
refuge’s Mud Lake Unit is a favorite resting area for several thousand ducks
and geese each spring and fall. Photo by Jim Parker. 42°14'12.67"N,
111°21'12.63"W
Turn East from U.S. 89 in Paris onto Second North and travel 2-1/2 miles. |
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6. Paris Tabernacle &
Historic District
Paris has a remarkable architectural legacy. One of which is the
Paris Tabernacle, a Romanesque Revival style red sandstone church built
between 1884 and 1889. Other significant local buildings include the Paris
Hotel, the Pendry Drug, and the Bear Lake Country Courthouse. Guided
tours are conducted daily in the Summer. Milepost 15.8 on U.S. 89, Main
Street, Paris. 42°13'32.77"N, 111°24'1.37"W |
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7. National
Oregon-California Trail Center
The National Oregon-California Trail Center is located in
Montpelier. The center has on display the "Living History," a dramatic
recreation of the pioneers' journey from Missouri to Clover Creek. Located
on the actual Clover Creek Encampment site, the center offers visitors a
unique opportunity to experience pioneer life as it was more than a hundred
years ago. 322 N. 4th Street, Montpelier. 42°19'19.69"N, 111°17'51.37"W |
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8. Oregon-California Trail
Portal
Emigrants by the thousands entered present day eastern Idaho at this
location traveling along the Oregon-California Trail. Emigrants on the trail
encountered Big Hill, thought to be the steepest and longest descent found
on the trip west. Wheel ruts are still visible today from the locking of
wagon wheels. East of Montpelier at ITD roadside pullouts on U.S. 30
(Milepost 440.1, Milepost 441.7 and Milepost 454.5). N 42 14 09.73, W 111 13
59.27 |
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9. Georgetown Relief Society Hall
This small log and wood frame building over 125 years old, is listed
on the National Register of Historic Places. In Georgetown’s early
settlement, it functioned as a local chapel, schoolhouse and general meeting
hall. For many years it was a focal point for the female society of this
small community. 161 North 3rd West Street, one-half block west of Main
Street and U.S. 30 in Georgetown. 42°28'26.90"N, 111°22'15.00"W |
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10. Georgetown Summit
Over 300,000 emigrants used the Oregon-California Trail between 1840
and 1869. Three ruts are visible at the bottom of the hill, indicating that
the wagons and oxen spread out to reduce the dust. The route crossed over
this summit heading northwesterly for Soda Springs, and then went on to the
Snake River at Hudson Bay Company’s Fort Hall. On U.S. 30, 3 miles north of
Georgetown. 42 31.762 N, 111 24.336 W |
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11. Soda Springs Oregon Trail Oasis (A -
I)
This site provides information about the Pioneer Historic Byway, the Oregon
Trail Bear Lake Scenic Byway, things to see and do in the park and other
parts of the community, phosphate mining, the Caribou National Forest, and
maps of the region. Located along US 30, in the middle of the
block of Corrigan Park. 42.654998, -111.602404 |
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11a. Bear River Overlook
A spectacular view of the Bear River. Sherman Peak, at an elevation
of 9,682 feet, can be seen in the distance. Originating on the north slope
of the Uinta Mountains in Utah, Bear River travels 300-miles north into
Wyoming and then curves south in a horseshoe through Idaho and back into
Utah and the Great Salt Lake. 1 mile northeast of U.S. 30 (Milepost 411.9).
42°34'56.32"N, 111°28'50.37"W |
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11b. Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs was noted in numerous early explorer and emigrant
diaries. When the wind is right, the distinct rotten egg odor can still be
easily detected along Highway 30 east of town. The cold water and bare
ground continues to emit sulphur smelling gas in a bubbling "plip-plop"
manner reminiscent of hot pots in Yellowstone Park. Travel one mile east of
US 30 on the Sulphur Canyon road to the first road junction. An interpretive
sign is one hundred yards east. 42°38'41.18"N, 111°30'23.84"W |
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11c. Pyramid Springs and Soda Springs
Geyser
Soda Springs boasts having the world's only captive geyser. On November 30,
1937 in an attempt to find a hot water source for a local swimming pool, a
well driller set free the natural geyser at a depth of 317 feet. It is
located on Pyramid Spring, a travertine mound described by Fremont in his
1840s expeditions, along with other area springs. The history of Soda
Springs and Caribou County is portrayed on picture boards in the Geyser Park
Visitor Center. Historical artifacts and antiques are on display next door
at the Enders Hotel Museum. Enter on Main Street & 1st Street South and
drive 150 feet west to Geyser Park.
42°39'26.13"N, 111°36'17.32"W |
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11d. Brigham Young's Cabin
In June 1870, members of the LDS Church residing in the small village of
Paris learned that Brigham Young and other LDS Church authorities were
planning a trip to Soda Springs. Twenty men under the direction of John
Walmsley built a home for President Young. The 18-by-22 foot log cabin had a
floor, windows with calico ruffles, and a shingle roof It was a truly fine
home for the times. Located on the south side of U.S. 30 between 1st and 2nd
East Streets. 42°39'15.84"N, 111°35'59.48"W |
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11e. Wagon Box Grave
In the summer of 1861, a family of seven on the way to Oregon was camped
in the near the Bear River. Their horses had strayed and the family fell
behind the main part of the wagon train to search for them. The family was
killed by Indians sometime during the night. Members of the larger party
found the bodies the next morning. They were buried together in the box from
their wagon. 1st South Street entrance. Next to Geyser Park.
42°39'24.61"N, 111°36'24.07"W. |
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11f. Camp Connor, Morrisite Settlement, and 1863 Shoshone-Bannock Peace
Treaty
Camp Connor was one of the first military posts in Idaho Territory for the
protection of the overland emigration to Oregon, California.
Morrisites, who followed Joseph Morris, planned a grand reformation of the
Mormon Church. They accompanied General Connor and his troops to the Soda
Springs area in May of 1863 and started Morristown near Soda Creek.
In late 1863, as a result of the Bear River Massacre and other military
actions, General Connor coerced the Shoshone tribes to sign peace treaties at
Camp Connor. Go south on 3rd West driving one block off US 30 to the back of the
LDS Church parking lot. 42°39'12.15"N, 111°36'52.81"W |
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11g. Sheep Rock and Hudspeth’s Cutoff
Sheep Rock marked the junction of the main route of the Oregon-California
Trail and Hudspeth’s Cutoff. Hudspeth’s Cutoff diverged three-quarters of a
mile west of here, striking west across the valley. Its route passed over
Fish Creek divide, and the Portneuf Range, south of Lava Hot Springs. From
Sheep Rock, the main branch of the Oregon-California Trail headed northwest
toward Fort Hall. From U.S. 30 at Milepost 399.9, turn south on Soda Point
Power Plant Road 1620. 42°39'0.85"N, 111°42'5.08"W |
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11g. Wagon Ruts and Trail Markers
Oregon Trail Park on the shore of Alexander Reservoir, reveals shallow swale
remnants from wagons bound for Oregon and California. Accessible and easily
visible from the park entrance road, the trail provokes the memories of
those who traveled it. 42°39'31.89"N, 111°39'0.35"W.
Hudspeth’s Cutoff - White fiberglass posts identify the
Oregon-California Trail. Turn north the intersection of Idaho 34 and U.S.
30, then turn left through the park-and-ride lot and follow the old asphalt
highway.
42°39'4.93"N, 111°43'43.01"W |
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11h. Volcanic Cinder Cones
Alexander Crater, a basaltic cinder cone is less than 20,000 years old.
In 1843, John C. Fremont described Alexander Crater as “a very perfect
crater.” West of Sheep Rock, lava eruptions at least 140,000 years ago first
blocked the Bear River from draining into the Snake River system. Between
U.S. 30 and Idaho 34. 42°39'17.02"N, 111°44'55.89"W |
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12. Historic Chesterfield Town Site
Once a growing community on the Oregon Trail, Chesterfield, is now a ghost
town. Many of the historic homes and buildings there have been restored and
are worth touring. Established in 1879, Chesterfield was a Mormon
settlement, and many of the 23 buildings that survive today are evidence of
that way of life. The entire site of Chesterfield is now on the National
Register of Historic Places. From Hwy 30 north on Old Hwy 30 to Bancroft,
then 9.75 miles on Chesterfield Rd. 42°51'54.16"N, 111°54'12.89"W
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13. Lower Portneuf Falls
This site offers wildlife viewing, fishing, and (further up the river)
kayaking and canoeing. The Portneuf River was named after a mountain man by
the name of Portneuf from Peter Skene Ogden’s trapper party. On Old Highway
30 two miles north of U.S. 30. A loop road provides a place to park and a
moderate walk on an undeveloped trail to Portneuf River Falls.
42°38'28.02"N, 112° 0'23.11"W |
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14. City of Lava Hot Springs
Formerly part of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, the hot springs were sold
to U.S. Government, then later ceded to the State of Idaho. Soak in world famous
hot pools, or take a dip at the Olympic Swimming Complex. The South Bannock
County Historical Center offers a complete history of the area. Explore the
nearby Portneuf River for tubing, or take in a wide range of outdoor activities
like hiking trails, fishing, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling. Located along Hwy
30. 42°37'10.30"N, 112° 0'25.96"W |
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15. City of McCammon
The Union Pacific Railroad opened the area to freight and passengers circa
1880, McCammon was a stop on “The Gold Road,” the stagecoach and supply road
from Salt Lake City to the gold mines in Montana. Gentile Cemetery features
the impressive headstones of town founder, H.O. Harkness and his wife.
Three-access points from U.S. 30 are Center Street, 12th Street, and Price
Road. 42°38'56.41"N, 112°11'25.85"W |
Visit the Oregon Trail on
IdahoHistory.net for more detailed stories.
National Historic Trails - Along the Snake River Plain Through Idaho - Auto
Tour Guide
Idaho Byways page of the Oregon Trail/Bear Lake Scenic Byway with
interactive map.
Idaho Byways page of the Pioneer Historic Byway with interactive map. |
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