Lemhi Passfall foliage
No reports yet this season for Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway.
Next 7 days
No frost, strong wind or heavy rain in the forecast.
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 4:01 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway through the year
- Byway usually free of snowNowJun–Oct
- Sacajawea Memorial Picnic Area openNowJun–Sep
- Aspen and cottonwood colorNowSep–Oct
Best spots around Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway
- Agency Creek RoadThe byway's descent from Lemhi Pass to Tendoy; steep, narrow first two miles
- Lemhi PassNational Historic Landmark on the Idaho-Montana line, 12 miles east of Tendoy
- Sacajawea Memorial Picnic AreaDay-use area at 7,400 ft by the pass; no water7,400 ft7,400 ft
- Sharkey Hot SpringsMile 4.8: two outdoor soaking pools, a BLM fee site
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · Bureau of Land Management, Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway and Adventure Road guide (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · Bureau of Land Management, Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · Salmon-Challis National Forest, Westward Overlook - Lemhi Pass CDT Access (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Sacajawea Memorial Picnic Area (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway in 2026?
The BLM says the color arrives by late September, and Agency Creek is at its best in October: Sep 21–Oct 31. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
How is the fall color in Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
When is the fall color on the byway?
The BLM says shorter days and cooler nights bring out red, yellow and gold in the aspens, cottonwoods, willows and shrubs by late September, and that Agency Creek is beautiful in October.Source: Bureau of Land Management, Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway and Adventure Road guide ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I drive it in a regular car?
Yes, with good tires: it's a single-lane gravel road with pullouts on a 36-mile loop that climbs and drops about 4,000 feet. Leave buses, RVs and trailers off the Agency Creek Road, whose first two miles below the pass are very steep and narrow with blind corners. The loop starts at Tendoy, 19 miles south of Salmon on Idaho Highway 28.Sources: Bureau of Land Management, Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway and Adventure Road guide ↗ (opens in a new tab), Bureau of Land Management, Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Will there be snow?
The byway is normally free of snow from early June through October, but the BLM warns that snow can fall in any month at 8,600 feet, so pack a sweater and rain gear. In fall the Agency Creek Campground is always full during big game hunting season.Source: Bureau of Land Management, Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway and Adventure Road guide ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway?
Agency Creek Road: the byway's descent from Lemhi Pass to Tendoy; steep, narrow first two miles; Lemhi Pass: national Historic Landmark on the Idaho-Montana line, 12 miles east of Tendoy; Sacajawea Memorial Picnic Area: day-use area at 7,400 ft by the pass; no water; Sharkey Hot Springs: mile 4.8: two outdoor soaking pools, a BLM fee site.
What is Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway like through the year?
Byway usually free of snow (Jun–Oct), Sacajawea Memorial Picnic Area open (Jun–Sep) and Aspen and cottonwood color (Sep–Oct).