Kamiah Chamber of Commerce

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Categories: NCITA Member, Clearwater Region, Communities, Visitor Information, Scenic Byways / Drives

....... nestled on the banks of the beautiful Clearwater River in a valley surrounded by scenic foothills. Here the heritage of the past meets the challenge of tomorrow, and the gateway opens to the multitude of recreational opportunities.

Our History

Older than the recorded history of the West, Kamiah was the winter home of the Nez Perce Indians. It was here they came to fish for steelhead, a staple in their diet, and to manufacture "Kamia" ropes, hence the name Kamiah, meaning the place of "many rope litters".

Lewis and Clark camped for several weeks during the early spring of 1806 in the Kamiah Valley waiting for the snow to melt before they could continue their journey east. The valley is rich in the heritage and legends of the Nez Perce and it was here, among the ancestors of the present day Nez Perce, that the Appaloosa horse was first bred, primarily for use as a war animal.

Outdoor Recreation

Kamiah lies not far from the great primitive area of Idaho where big game hunting is at its best. The nation's largest elk herd is located not far from here, and deer, bear, mountain lion, pheasant and grouse are plentiful. Special hunts for moose and mountain goat are drawn by lot by the Idaho Fish and Game Department.

Fishing begins in Kamiah, Idaho! The magnificent steelhead trout, measuring up to 45 inches in length, and the chinook salmon travel up the Clearwater to spawn. There are both fall and spring seasons for these beauties, whitefishing in the winter, and trout and bass fishing during the summer, giving anglers plenty of variety. With well-stocked creeks and mountain lakes an hour or two hike away, the Clearwater and its tributaries are considered some of the finest fishing streams in the country.

Kamiah lies along the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway, an All American Road. (U.S. Highway 12), which is the shortest route from the Midwest to the Pacific Coast. It is also the longest highway within a national forest in the nation and opens the opportunity to enjoy sightseeing along the beautiful Lochsa and Clearwater Rivers where mountain goats, elk, deer and other wild animals can frequently be spotted.

Visit our website and learn more about opportunities in Kamiah!

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