Visit Ant and Yellowjacket

Ant and Yellowjacket is the place where Coyote turned the two insects into stone during a fight, according to nimíipuu (Nez Perce) legend.

This page provides the information you need to plan your visit.

 

This is one of the signs for the Ant and Yellowjacket that you'll see at the U.S. Highway 12 pullout.

NPS photo

Getting to Ant and Yellowjacket

Ant and Yellowjacket sits just above a highway road cut approximately 8.5 miles east of Lewiston, Idaho, off of U.S. Highway 12.

Location

• Latitude/Longitude for the Highway Pullout:
  46°26'44.45"N 116°50'36.55"W

Driving to Ant and Yellowjacket

• From Highway 128 in Lewiston, Idaho, take U.S. Highway 12 E/ Route 95 7.5 miles east. Use the right lane to take the U.S. Highway 12 ramp to Missoula/Orofino. In less than 1 mile, the highway pullout will be on your right.
• From the Nez Perce National Historical Park's visitor center, take U.S. Route 95 1.3 miles west. Use the right lane to take the ramp to Orofino/Missoula. Merge onto Highway 12 E in 1/3 mile and the highway pullout will be on the right.
• From Coyote's Fishnet, head northeast on U.S. Highway 12 E/U.S. 95 S for 1.8 miles. Use the right lane to take the U.S. Highway 12 ramp to Missoula/Orofino and continue .7 miles. The highway pullout for Ant and Yellowjacket will be on the right.

Nearby Airports

• Lewiston, Idaho has a regional airport that is located 12 miles east of ant and Yellowjacket.
• The communities of Moscow, Idaho and Pullman, Washington are both served by a regional airport that is approximately 40 miles north of the Ant and Yellowjacket.
• Spokane International Airport is approximately 115 miles north of the Ant and Yellowjacket and is the largest airport in the region.

Nearby Bus Stations

A Greyhound Bus Station is located in Lewiston, ID 8.5 miles west of Ant and Yellowjacket.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is not available; however, car rentals may be available in each of the nearby communities with bus stations and airports.

Things to Do at Ant and Yellowjacket

Explore the Site

Ant and Yellowjacket is an affiliated site of the Nez Perce National Historical Park that is located on private property. A historical marker at the highway pullout tells the story of their battle, and provides a view of the rock formation that the two insects were turned into. Please respect the land owner's property rights and do not climb the hillside where the rock formation is located.

Nearby Amenities

• Ant and Yellowjacket is located approximately 1.5 miles west of the Nez Perce National Historical Park's visitor center where further information is available.
• Coyote's Fishnet, another Nez Perce legend site, is located 2.5 miles west of Ant and Yellowjacket.
• The Idaho Department of Commerce has a trip planning website that will help you locate hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and other amenities near Ant and Yellowjacket.