Idaho Panhandle Auto Tour
By John King
Idaho’s aquatic jewels — Priest Lake and Lake Pend Oreille — are popular destinations for day trips and weekend getaways. Whether you’re looking for boating, fishing, skiing or mountain biking, the lakes district has all the necessities you need to be as rustic or luxurious as you like.
This auto tour through the Idaho Panhandle covers 220 miles and takes five to six hours to drive without stops. The trek heads north from Spokane along U.S. 2 before turning east into the Gem State, then strikes north to Priest Lake on Idaho Highway 57. Upon returning to Priest River, the tour continues east to Sandpoint on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille. After a scenic side trip to Schweitzer Mountain and/or the Pend Oreille Scenic Byway, the tour turns south on U.S. 95 to Coeur d’Alene and then west to close the loop in Spokane.
