The Orofino Area snowmobile trails are located in the Clearwater National Forest which contains over 1.8 million acres and holds a variety of terrain such as the Bitterroot Mountains, river canyons, and the hills of the Palouse Prairie. This area literally has something for everyone.
Besides snowmobiling, there is also a large selection of fishing from both the resident and migratory fish that make their way through the rivers. This is wild terrain with lots of wildlife such as deer, elk, black bear, gray wolf, cougars, and mountain goats. Be careful when snowmobiling as you may disturb one of these potentially dangerous creatures.
Before heading out on the trail for a day of snowmobiling, give your snowmobile the once over and make sure that your snowmobile is in top working order. Next, always wear your safety gear, this includes a helmet, goggles and gloves at the very least. Be sure to dress in layers to keep your body warmth. Be sure to stay on the designated snowmobile trails; to get off a trail can either get you lost or handed a ticket. Most snowmobile trails are only open for set periods of time during the riding season and then those trails are closed and others reopened, to allow the terrain to have a rest from riders and reclaim itself.
The canyons in the Clearwater National Forest have been travel corridors for centuries, originally used by the Nez Perce Indians. Lewis and Clark also traveled through these canyons on their expedition in 1805. Today, the canyons hold highway 12, which is a main travel route for us today. This highway offers dramatic and beautiful views of the Clearwater River and the Lochsa River.
