Stites: History and Routes

Stites is located on the South Fork of the Clearwater. If you are considering the town as a travel destination, you will encounter three distinct themes: the history of the area, named routes, and the river. The sites and starting points are not all the same: a marker for the Battle of the Clearwater stands south of Stites; the Southern Nez Perce Trail begins in town, and the Elk City Wagon Road begins in nearby Harpster. Together, Stites and Harpster offer historic experiences and outdoor activities.

History of the Area

About two miles south of Stites, on Idaho State Highway 13, there is a historic marker for the Battle of the Clearwater. The Clearwater Battlefield is also in the area, but it is privately owned and not open to the public.

On July 11, 1877, General Howard crossed the South Fork of the Clearwater above the Nez Perce camp; this was followed by the two-day Battle of the Clearwater in the surrounding area. However, the history of Stites and Harpster encompasses more than this event: it includes the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), Lewis and Clark, gold seekers, lumberjacks, cowboys, and settlers.

It is believed that Sergeant John Ordway and two other expedition members passed through Stites and Kooskia in 1806 on their return to Long Camp, carrying camas roots and salmon. The possible return route differs in how certain it is from General Howard’s dated crossing in 1877.

Named Routes

The Southern Nez Perce Trail begins in Stites and ends in Conner, Montana. Nearby, in Harpster, the 53-mile Elk City Wagon Road begins; it passes through the Nez Perce National Forest to Elk City. The two routes differ in both their starting and ending points: Stites and Conner are part of the trail, while Harpster and Elk City are part of the wagon road.

River and Fishing

Real-time discharge data from the USGS are available for the South Fork Clearwater River near Stites. The South Fork Clearwater River in Idaho County is also designated as a recommended fishing water. The designation and real-time readings answer different questions: the former concerns the waterway’s fishing relevance, while the readings show its changing discharge conditions. Check current discharge data and information about the waterway before planning a fishing trip.

Traveling the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway

Stites is a community with limited services on the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway. Idaho 13 along the scenic byway is a winding, two-lane paved road; passing lanes and pullouts for slower vehicles are available occasionally. Both aspects are relevant when planning your trip: the limited services in Stites and the road conditions on Idaho 13. Check for current route updates before traveling.

Discover more destinations: Kooskia, Grangeville

For the overview of the wider travel area: Idaho County.