Visitor Information
***100 years of Incorporation***
2010
Elk River Elite Sponsor Opportunity
SnoDrifters Sponsor Opportunity
FREE ELK RIVER REC DISTRICT PARKING AREA
Hundreds of miles of
ATV, Snowmobile, Cross
Country Skiing, Driving and Hiking Trails
**Please check for the local land access rules and regulations - Also available at the Elk River Lodge & General Store**
Potlatch Public Use Guidelines
Forest Service Maps available for sale at the Elk River Lodge & General Store
Snowmobile Rentals available at Elk Butte Recreation -
Call Brian or Rita - 208-826-3632- For more information.
Trails start at Elk River
and carry into the scenic Clearwater National Forest. The elevation
ranges from 2800 feet to 5804 feet at the top of Elk Butte. Connecting
trails will lead you to many scenic attractions: The Giant Cedar tree
which is over 3,000 years old, 18 feet in diameter and 177 feet tall,
The
Granddad Bridge overlooking Dworshak Reservoir, Captains Cabin, Green
Mountain,
Hemlock
Butte and Elk Butte.
Trail Map for Granddad Bridge, Shattuck and Elk Butte
Also the snowmobile trail map click here for back of trail map
Trails for Nature Lovers -- Find Wild mushrooms ,
Huckleberries and Pacific Northwest wild flowers--Wildlife is abundant
Elk, Deer, Black Bear, Bobcats, Cougars, Turkey, Grouse, Hawks, Mink,
Pine Marten, Muskrat, Otter, Fisher and many more non game
birds--Northwest Trees Ponderosa Pine, Western White Pine, Douglas Fir,
Grand Fir, Western Larch, Western Red Cedar
Visit the Largest
Cedar Tree in the Rocky Mountains, it is more
than 3,000 years old and 18 feet in diameter --At the trailhead there is
a picnic area and restrooms. Nice even paved path - No problem with
"hills" on this hike.
Summer viewing only - Call in late fall and early spring to see if accessible.
208-826-3299
This road is closed to motor vehicles in the winter (used for snowmobile trail)
Snowmobile trails are groomed in the winter and you may purchase your registration stickers (ALL snowmobiles must have a registration sticker) at the Elk River Lodge & General Store
it is located 11 miles outside of town
Elk Creek
winds its way along this trail stop and toss a line!--Make sure you only
fish when stream fishing is allowed - check your regulations for the
correct dates - Hunting and fishing Regulations are available at no
charge at the
e
Elk River Lodge and General Store.
Upper Basin Map ( Morris/Perkins Cedar
Grove - Interpretive Hiking Trail and The Giant Cedar Tree)
Hike the Elk Creek
Falls -- Three different sets of falls--
Be aware there are quite a few inclines "hills" on this hike!! There is a picnic area and restrooms at the trailhead.
Summer viewing only - Call in late fall and early spring to see if accessible.
208-826-3299
This road is closed to all motorized vehicles (including ATV's and Snowmobiles) in the winter (used for Cross Country Ski Trail) These trails are groomed in the winter. You can check the Trail Reports page for trail conditions
Elk Creek Falls Trail Map (Accessible from Elk River, Hwy 8 and the Reservoir)
This is also the cross country ski trail map
Elk
Creek Reservoir - Great for Year Round family fishing! No motors
allowed (trolling motors only) on the reservoir.
Licenses
available at the Elk River Lodge & General Store.
Reservoir Map ( Loop and Aquarius Road)
Loop road is not accessible in the winter months.
HUNTING & FISHING
Hunting in this area is
great for Elk, deer, moose, bear, mountain lion, grouse, turkey and so
much more. Pacific Northwest wildlife is a highlight of the Elk River
Area.
The Elk Creek and Dworshak Reservoirs provide hours of peaceful fishing and the many creeks are great for fly fishing . Trout and Bass abound-- Toss a hook--
For more information Call
208-826-3299
Check out Elk River Lodge's Bass Pro Shop and Primos Game Calls and we are also a Fish & Game License Vendor
Designation of New Elk River Back Country Byway
On September 22, 2005 the Idaho Transportation Board approved the designation of the Elk River Back Country Byway. The 57-mile route begins in Orofino and travels across the Dent Bridge and follows a route to Elk River and ends at Bovill on SH-8. Travelers enter a vast evergreen forested landscape that draws one deeper and forward towards the horizon of the Clearwater Mountain range. Through a series of dips and turns the route reveals the diversity of landscapes in this backcountry region of Idaho.
This Back Country Byway is open YEAR ROUND. Wells Bench is a two lane county road paved to one mile beyond Dent Bridge; from there the road surface is gravel; at Elk River the roadway is again a paved 2 lane road with slow vehicle turnouts. The route is well maintained but can be icy in the winter.
Click here to go the ITD Website showing Elk River Back Country Byway
1. City of Orofino
2. Dent Bridge
3. Scenic Viewpoint - Confluence of Elk Creek and North Fork Clearwater River (Dworshak Reservoir)
4. Loop Road to USFS and Elk River Recreation District Campgrounds & Town
5. Mill Pond & Mill Site
6. CPTPA - Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protective Association
7. City of Elk River
8. Giant Western Red Cedar & Perkins/Morris Cedar Grove
9. Elk Creek Falls
10. City of Bovill
Airstrip-
Fly in for breakfast
Now that's full service!
CAMPING
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Huckleberry Heaven RV Park -
Full hook ups 208-826-3405
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Elk River Recreation District Campgrounds-
64 SITES AROUND THE ELK CREEK RESERVOIR
PO Box 82 Elk River, Id 83827
Email elkriverrecdist@idaho.net
OFFICE (ANSWERING MACHINE ONLY)-208-826-3584
For reservations: Call Campground Park Host (Harvey) -
208-826-3468 (Seasonal Elk River Phone Number)
or 208-743-2295 (Off Season Phone Number)
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*New* Forest Service - Elk Creek Campground-
You can reserve your site today online-- www.reserveusa.com
or call the Potlatch Ranger Station 208-875-1131
First Come First Serve - Electric Hook- Ups -- Open Year Round -- $15.00 Per Night -- Tent only campsites available also
Shower Rentals available at the Elk River Lodge & General Store.
Elk River Historical Society Museum
(will open upon request)
208-826-3390
elkriverhistoricalsociety@hotmail.com
PO Box 63 Elk River, Idaho 83827
Three Pines Cemetery and Pet Cemetery
208-826-3498
City Park/Tennis Courts/Basketball
Gazebo Park/Shelter
All snowmobiles must be registered in Idaho - Resident or Non-resident - They are the same price for either - Available for purchase at the Elk River Lodge & General Store
Please remember Area 29 when filling out your registration. These funds go into the grooming program for the snowmobile trails.
The road/trail to the parking area for the Giant Cedar is now only accessible by snowmobile - This road is closed to all other traffic, this is part of the groomed snowmobile trail.
The road/trail to the parking area for Elk Creek Falls is now only accessible on foot/snowshoes/cross country skis - This road is closed to ALL traffic - no snowmobiles (other than the groomer), this is the groomed cross country ski trail.
There is no Cellular Service in town However you can get intermittent service with Inland Cellular and limited texting abilities with Verizon. We do have a payphone - bring lots of quarters or we do sell calling cards at the Elk River Lodge & General Store
Elk River does have a leash law, please respect your animals and your neighbors. And kindly clean up after your pet....
SPEED LIMIT in town and around the reservoir is ONLY 15 MPH - SLOW DOWN.....
GARBAGE: PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT
The Burn Pile is only for things that will burn....paper products, wood, etc... not wet food and/or garbage!!!! NO CANS, Bottles, or metal of any kind. Please be sure is it secured, either in boxes or bags...Do not leave it there to blow around....Light immediately
Garbage is NOT free - Everyone who lives here is charged $1.00 per bag -- So thank you, first of all for being respectful enough to bag it up and not leave it - if you stop in at most of the businesses - they will take the bag and a dollar and put it out with our weekly pickup -- The dumpsters are not for public use either, The Rec District pays a high dollar for these for the convenience of their camping guests. Please respect our trash rules. Thank you
Recycle aluminum cans- please crush and bag the cans and place them in the trailer in front of Kids Club - Proceeds go toward youth activities in Elk River Thanks to Friends of Elk River Kids Workshop
Anyone who would like to sponsor, put on an event, etc... for Elk River please feel free.... you can contact me to put the info online here at NO charge.
Vendors are welcome at all of our events - We do not allow Food Vendors - We do not "charge" for "Booth" space - and you are totally responsible for all sales tax and licensing requirements. Booth space is primitive outdoor space, you have to bring your own "booth" supplies and simply get permission to set up from the property owners.
Please know the rules for your outside recreation choices,
If you DO NOT KNOW<<<<<< Please ASK!!!
If you do not know the rules for off road use in this area --- Please ask!!!!
If people continue to abuse it --- WE WILL LOSE IT!
These lands are owned by not only the Forest Service, Potlatch and IDL - but private landowners as well-- Stay Informed!!!!
Will be celebrated Elk River Days August 2010
Please take a moment to share your memories of Elk River for our future generations..... You can copy and paste to email your memories or print and mail in - addresses below.
~ Your Memories of Elk River ~
Whatever the past has held for us, it is important to pause and remember...and more important than that, to share our roots so that future generations will know from whence they have come.
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NAME:
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WHEN DID YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FIRST COME TO ELK RIVER:
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WHERE DID YOU LIVE:
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HOW LONG DID YOU LIVE THERE:
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YOU OR YOUR FAMILY'S OCCUPATION:
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NEIGHBORS:
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TELL US WHAT YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR FAMILY:
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TELL US WHAT YOU REMEMBER ABOUT DOWNTOWN ELK RIVER (BUSINESSES, CHURCHES, BUILDINGS):
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TELL US WHAT YOU REMEMBER ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES:
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TELL US WHAT YOU REMEMBER ABOUT CELEBRATIONS AND SOCIAL EVENTS:
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TELL US WHAT YOU REMEMBER ABOUT ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS YOU BELONGED TO:
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I ALWAYS RECALL THE TIME:
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TELL US WHAT YOU REMEMBER ABOUT GROWING UP IN ELK RIVER:
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DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL, WHAT GRADES DID YOU ATTEND:
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WHO WERE YOUR TEACHERS:
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WHO WERE YOUR CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS:
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WHAT IS YOUR MOST VIVID SCHOOL MEMORY:
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ARE THERE ANY FAVORITE STORIES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE:
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WHAT I LIKED OR LIKE MOST ABOUT ELK RIVER:
Please email or mail to:
Della Kreisher - PO Box 132 Elk River, Id 83827
Dawn (Dahl) Tillson - PO Box 66 Elk River, Id 83827
In 1897 Willard
Trumbell homesteaded the present day site of Elk River. His
homestead was purchased by the Potlatch Lumber Company in 1909.
The first ALL Electric Sawmill in the country was started
here in 1910. The Milwaukee and Puget Sound Railroad extended
it's line from Bovill to Elk River at this time. The name of the
fast growing town was then changed from Trumbell to Elk River.
The population in 1911 numbered 1,300 people. Between 1911 and
1930 about 40 businesses were operating in town, representing
about every kind of business. By 1912 Elk River had a new
school, a waterworks system, graded streets, electricity, board
sidewalks and
a
hospital. Some mining in the surrounding area also took place
at this time. Elk River's future began to decline in 1927, when
a newer and bigger saw mill was built at Lewiston, Idaho. Then
in 1929, blister rust attacked the white pine trees and the
great depression hit the area in 1930. This along with other
problems affecting the lumber industry, caused the closure of
the sawmill in April of 1931. The following year, 1932, the
planer mill was shut down. By 1933, most of the employment
opportunities were eliminated; the bank closed and houses were
moved out of town, many of them selling for as little as fifteen
dollars. The population declined to around 400. Today people
still come and go and the population has fallen to under 200
people.
The present day Elk
River Lodge and General Store open
ed in 1915 as Jockheck's Meat
Market. The market provided fresh meat to the local logging
camps and the thousands of residents of Elk River during the
boom years when Potlatch Sawmill provided employment for most of
the town's residents. The Great Depression and the close of the
Sawmill in the early 1930's saw the towns population dwindle,
but Carl Jockheck stayed with the meat market and added a
grocery line.
In 1952, Carmen and Leona Eck purchased the market and renamed it Eck's Market. Carmen increased the grocery line and added dry goods and a saw shop. He owned and operated the business for 18 years until May 1, 1970, When he sold it to Everett and Ethel Lovell.
Everett Lovell ran the business now called Lovell's Market until his death in 1981. Everett's wife Ethel continued to run the business until June 1, 1983, at which time she sold half of the business to Andre and Nadine Moslee. They started remodeling with plans to create Huckleberry Heaven.
In July of 2003,
Huckleberry Heaven was purchased by Hud and Connie McCartney and
the name was changed to Elk River Lodge
and General Store.
Today the store has been stocked with a complete line of
groceries and supplies for all your needs. A very unique gift
shop has been added and extensive remodeling of the lodge above
make Elk River so special that people want to come back time and
time again. For many vacationers, tour groups and hunters, Elk
River Lodge and General Store is the place to
meet , stay and
become part of the friendly family.
Stop in and see exhibits of early logging, school & community at the Elk River Historical Museum or call 208-826-3390 for more information. The Museum is open for summer hours on Saturdays 10:00 am - Noon or will open on request by calling the number above or 208- 826-3294.
The Syringa (Philadelphus lewisii) is found along Idaho streams and mountains to around 7000 ft. The flowering season is the latter part of May through July.
State
Bird: Mountain Bluebird
State Horse: Appaloosa
State Insect: Monarch Butterfly
State Gem: Star Garnet
State Tree: Western White Pine
State Fruit: Huckleberry
State Fish: Cutthroat Trout
06/01/2010 12:37 PM
BREAKFAST
SERVED DAILY
Valley Transit Bus runs from Moscow Idaho to Elk River Every Wednesday 
