Welcome to Clark Fork, Idaho
Looking east into Montana, the town of Clark Fork lies on the left. In the background are the Cabinet Range. Clark Fork residents enjoy hiking the many mountain trails in the Cabinet Mountain Range, which hold many peaks and lookouts to see some of the most breath-taking views. The Clark Fork River empties into Lake Pend Oreille, and the Cabinet Gorge dam is just upstream which supplies power to the area. Also upstream is the Cabinet Gorge fish hatchery. Clark Fork is a mountainess community, but also has fertile farmland across the river. Clark Fork is located approximately 25 miles east of Sandpoint, and is the first town you find after crossing into Idaho from Montana on Hwy 200.
Situated on the banks of the historic Clark Fork River, its origins date back to the late 1800's when the Northern Pacific Railway constructed a siding adjacent to the river. The Clark Fork River has been a source of commerce and recreation for decades. Clark Fork was named in honor of William Clark who along with Meriwether Lewis headed the expedition to the west in 1804. It is believed the Lewis and Clark party encountered the present day Clark Fork River near Missoula, in October of 1805.
Today nestled in the shadows of the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness Area, Clark Fork still retains many vestiges of the old American West. Hunting and fishing opportunities abound in the Clark Fork valley. The Clark Fork River is a major spawning tributary used by Rainbow, Cutthroat, Mackinaw and the endangered Bull Trout to access pristine mountain streams to spawn.
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Helpful Clark Fork, Idaho Links
Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School - Welcome to Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School, home of the Wampus Cats! Located in the beautiful town of Clark Fork, Idaho (pop. 530), our school offers students a unique learning experience unmatched by any school in the district.
Clark Fork Hardware - Evergreen Supply will gladly give you a quote for your upcoming projects. Just pop us an email with the items you want and we will give you a quote
USDA Forest Service - The Clark Fork River Area (Cabinet Ranger District) is bordered by the Idaho line on the west and the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness on the east. The Clark Fork River flows north and west through the District, and the Bull and Vermilion Rivers join it from the north. Rugged peaks ranging in elevation from 6000-8700 feet overlook the valley bottom.
LIGHTNING CREEK AT CLARK FORK ID
Things to do...
CLARK FORK LODGE - At The CLARK FORK LODGE we specialize in outdoor fun! We have kayaks, paddle boats, jet-skis, charter fishing packages, guided river kayak tours, Scotchman peak hikes and snowmobile rentals in the winter.
Clark Fork Outfitters - Clark Fork Outfitters is a family owned business that operates on approximately 300 square miles of remote yet accessible, diverse and game rich territory in the Kaniksu and Coeur ‘d Alene National Forests in northern Idaho.
The Clark Fork Pantry - The Clark Fork Pantry is a small-town, family-owned Deli, Bakery, Bulk Food and Grocery store located in the beautiful mountains of North Eastern Idaho.
Squeeze Inn- Restaurant
Clark Fork Travel Guide - Established when the Northern Pacific pushed its main line through northern Idaho in the 1880s, Clark Fork is the gateway into North Idaho's giant outdoor playground. Located at the northeast end of Lake Pend Oreille on the Clark Fork River, along Highway 200 near the Montana border
Sam Owen Park - The campground has 80 campsites including three host campsites, a group picnic site, covered picnic shelter, day use area with 18 family picnic units and swimming beach parking, boat launch and RV dump station.
Seagull Charters - Fishing or Cruising on "Lake Pend Oreille" - Seagull Charters will take you Fishing for Giant Kamloop Rainbow Trout, Mackinaw Lake Trout or a Sightseeing Trip on "Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint Idaho"
Eagle Charters - Trophy trout fishing on Lake Pend Oreille - Whether fishing, touring or just enjoying a scenic cruise, Eagle Charters is proud to be there for you.
Where to Stay...
CLARK FORK LODGE - Clark Fork Lodge is family-owned and operated, and available to our guests. We have pride of ownership and it shows. Since our company opened its doors in 1999, we have treated every customer like they were a part of our family.
Diamond T Ranch - On the beautiful valley floor of the Cabinet Gorge, surrounded by forest covered mountains and majestic snow capped peaks, just a few hundred yards through a wildlife refuge from the spectacular Clark Fork of the Columbia River, lies the Diamond T Ranch. Amidst a mixture of woods, pastures, ponds, wildlife and our animals, our six, non-smoking, log cabins serve as comfortable lodging for our guests.
Hutto's Highland Haven Bed and Breakfast - Join us for a stay in the scenic Cabinet Mountains of North Idaho. A highland retreat nestled in the forest near Scotchman Peak. Here you will find our charming, cozy cabins. A safe haven where you can take time to enjoy each other. A getaway where no phones, TV or other distractions can hinder your time together. A delicious farm fresh breakfast served at the quaint Heritage House awaits you in the morning.
Hope, Idaho Vacation Rentals - List of Hope, Idaho vacation rentals from VRBO
Sam Owen Park - RV & Camp - Amenities include a swimming beach, paved overflow parking areas, a pavilion for presentations, picnic area, flush toilets, boat launch and dock.
History - The Clark Fork Ferry
by Bob Gunter
In 1916 when the drive for a bridge over the Clark Fork river was nearing an end a reporter wrote "The Clarkfork river basin affording an easy grade will in the end be the through road for the northern part of the state. It is the only feasible pass for the north."
The reporters conclusion may have been based on the fact that Lewis and Clark found this route west a century before a growing community was looking for a better way to cross the river than by ferryboat.
The topography of the area left little choice but to cross over the river when traveling east or west. This was true well into the 20th century until men and machinery learned to cope with the rock faces of the Cabinets. Even today a trip from Heron, Montana to Clark Fork, Idaho clearly reveals the formations that gave Clark Fork a part in the history of the region and a reason for the ferry.
Lalia Moore, in her dictionary of Idaho Place Names comments that the site (Clark Fork) "seems to have been used by fur trappers as early as 1809." With them came the beginnings of an early ferry, if only made of logs lashed together with some sort of a makeshift platform. In the absence of records it is reasonable to assume that a private or toll ferry did operate at Clark Fork, long before the need for regulation and probably afterwards as well.
Some records indicate a ferry operating in 1893. Since that was at least 10 years after the Northern Pacific came through, it is most likely that there was a considerable amount of river crossing during the construction of both the railroad bridge and trackage on both sides.
A considerable factor in ferry operations here and up stream was water flow. The Pend d'Oreille Review reported on December 29, 1916, that "The Clarksfork river handles a volume of water much larger than the Snake river. At times during high water, the flow amounts to as much as 94,000 cubic feet per second. The average width of the river is about 1300 feet. The velocity of the river at certain times is very large, about eight miles an hour. Due to this it is necessarily very hazardous to operate a ferry at Clarksfork at any time and very dangerous and at some times impossible to operate a ferry at all."
The problem of crossing the river aside, someone had earlier written that Clark Fork, "It is a good place for both rich and poor to live." That sort of pride probably prompted a petition for a free ferry. On May 13, 1904 a bid was awarded to John Lloyd and John Hagbo for a ferryboat to cost $275.00.
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