Grangeville, Idaho
Founded in 1897, Grangeville is the largest community and county seat of Idaho County. Many local families have roots dating back more than 125 years, and the traditions, values, and strong sense of community established by those early settlers continue to shape the area today.
Steeped in the history of the American West, Grangeville's story includes gold discoveries, frontier conflicts, railroad expansion, and the pioneering spirit that helped build North Central Idaho. Today, the community serves as the economic, governmental, and cultural hub of Idaho County.
With a population of 3,308 according to the 2020 Census, Grangeville offers the amenities and services of a regional center while maintaining the character and hospitality of a small town. Covering more than 8,500 square miles, Idaho County is one of the largest counties in the United States by area, stretching from the Oregon border to the mountains near Montana. Despite its size, the county remains sparsely populated, offering residents and visitors wide-open spaces, scenic beauty, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.
Border Days
Grangeville is best known for Border Days, the community's annual Independence Day celebration held over the July 4th weekend. The event features Idaho's oldest rodeo, parades, art shows, live entertainment, and the World's Largest Egg Toss.
See the World's Largest Egg Toss in action.
For event schedules, rodeo information, vendor registration, and more, visit the official Border Days website.
Rivers
Grangeville sits within easy reach of some of the most celebrated river systems in the American West, including the Snake, Salmon, Clearwater, South Fork Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater, Selway, and Lochsa Rivers. Several of these waterways are designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers, preserving their free-flowing character and exceptional natural beauty.
Whether you're interested in fishing, rafting, jet boating, wildlife photography, camping, or simply enjoying a scenic drive, these rivers provide endless opportunities for outdoor adventure throughout North Central Idaho.
Public Lands
Grangeville is surrounded by five wilderness areas and four national forests encompassing approximately 5.5 million acres, including the Nez Perce, Clearwater, Payette, and St. Joe National Forests. Idaho ranks second in the nation for designated wilderness acreage, behind only Alaska.
The region's vast public lands provide exceptional opportunities for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, off-road exploration, and wildlife viewing throughout the year.
Local tradition holds that the name "Idaho" originated from the Native American term "Ee-Da-Ho," often translated as "gem of the mountains" or "the sun comes from the mountains." While the exact origin of the state's name remains debated, the Nez Perce people have long been an important part of the history and culture of North Central Idaho.
Landscape
Located on the Camas Prairie at approximately 3,500 feet in elevation, Grangeville enjoys sweeping views of rolling hills, forested mountains, and scenic river canyons. Locals often refer to the colorful sunsets that blanket the prairie as "topping up on the prairie," a uniquely local expression describing the warm glow that settles across the landscape at day's end.
Regional Access and Scenic Routes
Grangeville is located along U.S. Highway 95, Idaho's primary north-south transportation corridor connecting communities throughout the state and the Pacific Northwest.
State Highway 13 begins at U.S. Highway 95 in Grangeville and travels east through town before descending more than 2,000 feet down Harpster Grade to the South Fork Clearwater River. At the bottom of the grade, Highway 14 follows the river east to Elk City, while Highway 13 continues north through Harpster, Stites, and Kooskia before ending at U.S. Highway 12.
From Kooskia, Highway 12 follows the Middle Fork Clearwater River west toward Lewiston. East of Kooskia, the route continues through the community of Lowell to Three Rivers, where the Selway and Lochsa Rivers merge to form the Middle Fork Clearwater River. From there, Highway 12 follows the Lochsa River upstream through a spectacular mountain corridor, crossing Lolo Pass and the Continental Divide before descending into Missoula, Montana.
Widely regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the Pacific Northwest, this route provides access to world-class fishing, rafting, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation throughout North Central Idaho and western Montana.
Steeped in the history of the American West, Grangeville's story includes gold discoveries, frontier conflicts, railroad expansion, and the pioneering spirit that helped build North Central Idaho. Today, the community serves as the economic, governmental, and cultural hub of Idaho County.
With a population of 3,308 according to the 2020 Census, Grangeville offers the amenities and services of a regional center while maintaining the character and hospitality of a small town. Covering more than 8,500 square miles, Idaho County is one of the largest counties in the United States by area, stretching from the Oregon border to the mountains near Montana. Despite its size, the county remains sparsely populated, offering residents and visitors wide-open spaces, scenic beauty, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.
Border Days
Grangeville is best known for Border Days, the community's annual Independence Day celebration held over the July 4th weekend. The event features Idaho's oldest rodeo, parades, art shows, live entertainment, and the World's Largest Egg Toss.
See the World's Largest Egg Toss in action.
For event schedules, rodeo information, vendor registration, and more, visit the official Border Days website.
Rivers
Grangeville sits within easy reach of some of the most celebrated river systems in the American West, including the Snake, Salmon, Clearwater, South Fork Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater, Selway, and Lochsa Rivers. Several of these waterways are designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers, preserving their free-flowing character and exceptional natural beauty.
Whether you're interested in fishing, rafting, jet boating, wildlife photography, camping, or simply enjoying a scenic drive, these rivers provide endless opportunities for outdoor adventure throughout North Central Idaho.
Public Lands
Grangeville is surrounded by five wilderness areas and four national forests encompassing approximately 5.5 million acres, including the Nez Perce, Clearwater, Payette, and St. Joe National Forests. Idaho ranks second in the nation for designated wilderness acreage, behind only Alaska.
The region's vast public lands provide exceptional opportunities for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, off-road exploration, and wildlife viewing throughout the year.
Local tradition holds that the name "Idaho" originated from the Native American term "Ee-Da-Ho," often translated as "gem of the mountains" or "the sun comes from the mountains." While the exact origin of the state's name remains debated, the Nez Perce people have long been an important part of the history and culture of North Central Idaho.
Landscape
Located on the Camas Prairie at approximately 3,500 feet in elevation, Grangeville enjoys sweeping views of rolling hills, forested mountains, and scenic river canyons. Locals often refer to the colorful sunsets that blanket the prairie as "topping up on the prairie," a uniquely local expression describing the warm glow that settles across the landscape at day's end.
Regional Access and Scenic Routes
Grangeville is located along U.S. Highway 95, Idaho's primary north-south transportation corridor connecting communities throughout the state and the Pacific Northwest.
State Highway 13 begins at U.S. Highway 95 in Grangeville and travels east through town before descending more than 2,000 feet down Harpster Grade to the South Fork Clearwater River. At the bottom of the grade, Highway 14 follows the river east to Elk City, while Highway 13 continues north through Harpster, Stites, and Kooskia before ending at U.S. Highway 12.
From Kooskia, Highway 12 follows the Middle Fork Clearwater River west toward Lewiston. East of Kooskia, the route continues through the community of Lowell to Three Rivers, where the Selway and Lochsa Rivers merge to form the Middle Fork Clearwater River. From there, Highway 12 follows the Lochsa River upstream through a spectacular mountain corridor, crossing Lolo Pass and the Continental Divide before descending into Missoula, Montana.
Widely regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the Pacific Northwest, this route provides access to world-class fishing, rafting, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation throughout North Central Idaho and western Montana.