Points of Interest

The history of Greer Ferry is marked by a wayside interpretive site located at milepost 52.5 east of the Greer bridge at the junction of Highways 12 and 11. Idaho's first gold was discovered in 1860 at Pierce, accessed via Highway 11. A ferry served the miners at this site.

The Weippe Prairie in bloom with Camas flowers. This is the location where a starving Lewis and Clark Corp of Discovery were met by the Nez Perce Indians after crossing the Bitterroot Mountains. Historical Marker #261 at milepost 17.2 on Highway 11 in Weippe.

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at the Weippe Discovery Center. Contains numerous historical murals and a Living Lewis & Clark Landscape display. In addition, it houses the Weippe Library, Technology Center, a College Outreach Center, a Small Business Enhancement Center, a Conference/Meeting area with kitchen facilities, and public restrooms.

Hilltop Heritage Museum in Weippe.

Historical Highway 11 Mile Markers

#307 - Chinese Hanging Tree at milepost 27.5
#153 - Canal Gulch at milepost 28.6 where gold was first discovered in Idaho.
#156 - Oro Fino City at milepost 28.6 where the original Orofino city was located.

Pierce Free Public Library on Main Street has a number of mining, logging and Chinese historical artifacts on displays. Free Internet access provided via the Pierce Technology Center computers and local "Hot Spot." Adult technology training is also available.

J. Howard Bradbury Logging Museum in Pierce. Contains a wide assortment of historical mining and logging artifacts from the area.

Behind the Logging Museum in Pierce stands the first government building in Idaho - the Shoshone County Courthouse of 1862.

Our Lady of the Woodland Catholic Church - A log church from the early 1900's, which is still in use today. Located just around the corner from the Historic Chinese Cemetery. Though the bones were exhumed and returned to China after the workers left, the cemetery remains as a reminder of the area's heritage.

Historical Panel Kiosk: Funded by the USFS, IDOT, the Gold Rush Historical Byway Committee, Potlatch Corporation, ID Fish and Game, decorated by local artists, and constructed by Maki Mfg and local volunteers, this informational kiosk sits at the "Y" in Pierce, where Highway 11 intersects with residential Canal Street. It features historical panels of the area, and is adjacent to the Canal Gulch historical marker.

Operating since 1959, the Bald Mountain Ski Area is 10 miles north of Pierce and is touted as “the best little ski hill in Idaho”. Offering excellent snow conditions and multiple downhill skiing runs from beginner to advanced, you are sure to not be disappointed. 

Deer Creek Reservoir: Built in 2004 by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Potlatch Corporation, this 80-acre reservoir is located between Pierce and Headquarters on the Gold Rush Historic Highway 11. It is stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout, and provides fishing opportunities for kids, families and avid anglers. The reservoir will be open all year to fishing, but because of wildlife related road restrictions, the access road will be open to motorized vehicles May 20-September 30 annually. Outside of those dates, anglers and other lake users will need to make a hike of about half a mile to reach the lake. The Chamber provides a Free Fishing Day and Fishing Tournament each June.

The Gold Rush Historic Highway 11 ends in Headquarters at milepost 42.5. By turning left onto USFS Road #247, you enter the Gateway to the Clearwater Backcountry and are taken to the North Fork of the Clearwater National Forest, with many camping, hiking, fishing and other recreational adventures.