Idaho's vibrant natural scenery, combined with its spectacular regional diversity, abundance of wildlife, outdoor recreation, and picture-perfect vistas does more than make the Gem State an incredibly beautiful place to live and explore; it also means that road trip opportunities and destinations are endless! Here in our big-little slice of heaven, taking the road less traveled is a wonderful way to navigate the wonders and hidden gems around the state. While some of Idaho’s scenic byways have historical significance, others are gateways to the delights tucked away in our small towns. Whatever your preference, with well over two dozen scenic byways weaving and interconnecting through the most beautiful parts of the state, you're never going to have to worry about running out of things to explore.

But of all the memory-making road trips in Idaho you could take, there's only one that has made the U.S. list of the 32 All-American Roads and has been ranked as one of the Top 10 scenic drives in the Northern Rockies. The International Selkirk Loop is a unique, 280 mile-long scenic drive that winds through Idaho, Washington, and Canada -- the only two-nation scenic byway in the country. The stunning Selkirk Mountains set the stage for the Idaho loop of this drive, which is punctuated by crisp, rush rivers, sparkling lakes, and snow-capped peaks. It's a spectacular way to rediscover the magic of Idaho's panhandle! Recommended time for this epic adventure: 7 days. Let's begin our adventure down one of the most scenic drives in Idaho.

The towering, rugged Selkirk Mountains of north-central Idaho will lead you all the way to the Canada border (and beyond, if you so choose.)

Along the way, you'll find multiple scenic side trip options, which we will detail for you in Part Two of this series.

The Panhandle Rivers Historic Passage will take you through Oldtown and Priest River, all the way to Sandpoint.

Just a short drive outside Newport, WA, the southern leg of the International Selkirk Loop is also comprised of the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage, which begins at the Washington state line and follows the northern shore of the Pend Oreille River. As you drive, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy miles of soothing river scenery that reflects the rich timber industry and vibrant waterfront beauty of the area.

Starting in the beautiful waterfront community of Priest River near the Washington border, your journey will begin in the town that is one of Idaho's best-kept secrets.

Nestled in the Selkirks and bordered by the Priest River on the east and the Pend Oreille River on the south, this charming "town that logs built" has plenty to offer in the way of recreation, just to start. Hike up Gisborne Mountain for views and wildlife spotting from the lookout at the Priest River Experimental Forest, or drink in the fresh air and woodsy banks of the Pend Oreille. Here, you can also stop by the historic Rex Theater, gorgeous Beardmore Building downtown, take a tour of the charming Priest River Museum & Timber Education Center, or even float Priest River in the summer.

Priest River is also a stop on the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage Scenic Byway as well as the home of the annual Priest River Timber Days. So depending on when your road trip takes place, you'll have plenty to do on your first stop!

While you're in the area, check out the Albeni Dam - what a spectacular sight!

As you meander into Sandpoint, one of the Gem State's favorite northern small towns, the scenery and opportunities to explore get even better.

From skiing Schweitzer Mountain in winter and kicking back on the sandy shores of City Beach downtown during summer to catching a movie at the old Panida Theater, shopping at the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market, ice skating on Sand Creek, or even enjoying the bounty of art museums, seasonal festivals, and symphonies, this is one town you'll want to spend some extra time in.

But even as you peruse downtown's amenities, be sure to take a few moments to drink in the vibrant sunsets over the water.

As you travel north from Sandpoint, hopping onto 95, the natural beauty gets fresher, livelier, and increasingly remote. Lush meadows and valleys make for stunning pullout spots.

From Elmira to Naples to Bonners Ferry, all along the Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway, pristine lakes and forests abound.

The colors along this byway are particularly fantastic during the fall. Stop by the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, Bridal Lake, take a side trip to the Moyie River Bridge, or just drink in the forested scenery. This gorgeous trail follows the Kootenai Tribe’s historic path around the fishing grounds at Lake Pend Oreille.

The sunsets are absolutely phenomenal up here.

Finally, tucked against the Canadian border is the tiny town of Porthill where you can see straight into British Columbia.

Ready to plan the most exhilarating trip of your life? Visit the International Selkirk Loop website to get the full route map for this scenic Idaho drive along with awesome side trip planning guides.