Things to do while you stay at the Bear Den Family RV Resort

Winding rivers. Deep canyon gorges. Historic expeditions. Trace the steps of Lewis & Clark as they sought a "Northwest Passage" to the Pacific. Backpacking. Jet boating. White-water rafting. Journey through the forests and rivers of Nez Perce territory. Historical museums. Wildlife centers. State parks. North Central Idaho, take a lesson in history while enjoying world-class adventure.

Appaloosa Museum, Moscow

At the Appaloosa Museum, visitors learn about the history of the Appaloosa horse, which is as unique and colorful as its coat pattern. Exhibits explore the evolution of the breed, its importance to local Native American cultures, its role in the lives of cowboys, rodeos and circuses, and the history of the Appaloosa Horse Club. Our Kid's Area invites little buckaroos to hop on a saddle, do hands-on activities and enjoy learning about the world of the Appaloosas. Each year the museum presents numerous educational programs and sponsors special events like trail rides, auctions and horse raffles. Horses on exhibit May-October.

Hells Canyon

Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America and offers more than 70 miles of rugged river country. In 1975, Congress established the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in west central Idaho and northeastern Oregon. Consider exploring this remote canyon in a jet boat or raft, or try a hike or trail ride. Nez Perce Indian petro glyphs and pictographs can be found in the caves and on rock walls in the canyon. Hells Canyon is accessible from Lewiston to the north, White Bird (Pittsburg Landing boat launch site) and Cambridge to the south. Outfitters offer jet boat trips from both Lewiston and Cambridge and float trips from White Bird and Cambridge. See www.ioga.org for outfitters.

Hells Gate State Park

Hells Gate State Park is the gateway to both Idaho's Lewis and Clark country and to Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. Jet boat excursions into Hells Canyon leave on a regular basis from the park's docks. The Nez Perce National Historic Park is only 30 minutes away. A wide choice of restaurants and shopping are just minutes away, in nearby Lewiston Idaho. Lewiston is only an hour's drive from the Bear Den.

Featured Area Events:

Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, February, Moscow

Annual Dogwood Festival, April, Lewiston

Salmon River Jet Boat Races, April, Riggins

Annual Bigwater Blowout, June, Moscow

Grangeville Border Days Rodeo, July, Grangeville

Raspberry Festival, August, Cottonwood

Weippe Rodeo, August, Weippe

Lewiston Roundup, September, Lewiston

St. Gertrude

The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude is located on the grounds of the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood. Established in 1931, the museum houses a unique collection of over 70,000 artifacts with some 11,000 on display which reflect the early history of the region. Rediscover the pioneer days through exhibits from the early mining and farming era, plus a varied collection of minerals, firearms, Nez Perce artifacts and religious items. Highlights include the Rhoades Emmanuel Memorial, an extraordinary collection of fine Asian and European artifacts. The Museum hosts a dinner/dance in April and an annual Raspberry Festival on the first Sunday in August.

White Bird Hill Battlefield

Whitebird Battlefield is located 15 minutes south of Grangeville, Idaho on U.S. Highway 95. The first battle of the Nez Perce War was fought here June 17, 1877 While attempting to resolve their problems peacefully, two shots from a volunteer's rifle ended the parlay. This resulted in a sharp clash between the Nez Perce bands and the U.S. Army Cavalry. Thirty-four soldiers were killed while the Nez Perce Indians lost none. A self-guided walking tour booklet of the battlefield is available at the trailhead 1.2 miles through the town of Whitebird on the Old Spiral Highway. There is an Interpretive Shelter along Highway 95 that overlooks the Battlefield and explains the sequence of events that day. See the entry for Nez Perce National Historic Park for more about the Nez Perce.

Click here to go to Idaho's Visitor Website.