Lolo Pass Visitor Center

The Lolo Pass Visitor Center serves as one of the many historical landmarks off Highway 12, the Lewis and Clark Highway, bordering Montana and Idaho. The facility is located in the area where Lewis and Clark crossed over the Lolo Pass in the Bitterroot Mountains. The Lolo Pass Visitor Center and Rest Area is located along the Nez Perce National Historic Trail and is one of the designated sites of Nez Perce National Historical Park.

The buildings were a part of the Old Mud Creek ranger station near Lolo Hot Springs in 1923. In 1977 they were moved to Lolo Pass and restored to meet the increased demands of an information center. The visitor center displays information on the Lewis and Clark journey across the Bitterroot Mountains and the 1877 flight of the Nez Perce Indians and tells historical, natural, and general information about the area.

The facility currently includes an interpretive center, warming hut, 24-hour restroom, snowmobile parking lot, parking for other recreationists, and a 30-minute outer parking lot for larger commercial vehicles and other rest stop vehicles.  You will find cross-country ski and snowmobile trails as well as a snowshoe trail for your winter recreation enjoyment. While recreating, you can stop in the warming hut for a cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee, in front of a comforting warm fire. Winter season is quite busy as the Lolo Pass area serves as a major trail head for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

The visitor center sells parking permits and carries maps and winter usage information for visitors. For current Lolo Pass conditions and hours open, please call the information line at the number below. Open Saturday and Sunday through Thanksgiving, the center is scheduled to be open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for winter recreation after the holiday.

Directions: Travel south on Highway 93 out of Missoula, Montana, 9 miles. Turn west onto Highway 12 out of Lolo, Montana and travel 47 miles to the Idaho/Montana border. The Visitor Center is on the left at the top of Lolo Pass. Traveling from the west: (from Lewiston, Idaho) Travel east on Highway 12 to the Idaho/Montana border. Visitor Center will be on your right.

Lolo Pass Visitor Information Center
Powell Ranger Station
Clearwater National Forest
44000 Highway 12 West, Lolo, MT 59847
208-942-3113