Lenore

Clearwater River at Lenore

National Park Service

Quick Facts

Location:

46.510403, -116.563150

Significance:

Archeological Site of the Nez Perce

MANAGED BY:

Idaho Transportation Department, Idaho State Historical Society

Amenities

8 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Pets Allowed, Picnic Table, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Toilet - Flush, Trash/Litter Receptacles

The Nez Perce established permanent village sites along major river corridors. This site contains evidence of early occupation by ancestral Nez Perce dating from about 8,500 years ago. When archeologists explored Lenore in the 1960's, they found remains of pit houses. As the name suggests, the pits were covered with a log superstructure and then soil. This method of construction kept the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. In some pit houses, areas had been dedicated to food storage to sustain the occupants through the winter months.

Getting to Lenore

The Lenore site is situated at a highway rest area on the north side of U.S. Highway 12 about 25 miles east of Lewiston, Idaho.
Located on U.S. Highway 12 at mile marker 2

Things to Do at Lenore

Explore the Site

The Lenore site is now associated with Lenore Rest Area at mile marker 28 on U.S. Highway 12. At the rest area there is an interpretive sign that explains about the Nez Perce people and the Lenore site. The area is also a popular access point to the Clearwater River for fishing and boating. The rest area also includes restrooms, picnic tables, drinking fountains, telephone, vending machines, pet area, and RV dump.