Welcome to the Lewis Clark Valley

Welcome to the Lewis Clark Valley, the site of Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington. The history of the Lewis Clark Valley is rich with traditions and stories. The Nez Perce Indians have lived here for centuries, traveling through the valley and living off the land and rivers. In 1805, the Corps of Discovery explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, were welcomed to the area by the native people. That historical meeting led to the naming of the sister cities, Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington, in honor of the explorers.

Lewiston is Idaho's oldest city and became the capital in 1863 when the Idaho Territory was established. The state capital later moved to Boise, and the Lewis-Clark Valley prospered and grew as the home to miners, merchants, railroaders, mill workers and farmers. Located at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, 465 miles from the Pacific Ocean, water transportation played a vital role in the growth of the area.

Lewiston is Idaho's only seaport, and one of three port districts serving the valley. The valley is the head of the Columbia River and Snake River navigation system. Barges with forest products, grain and containers leave the valley weekly destined for world markets. The port of Clarkston hosts cruise ships that bring tourists upriver from Astoria and Portland, Oregon to visit Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America.

Recreational opportunities are vast, with year round golfing, amazing wildlife viewing, sight seeing, bird watching, jet boating, water skiing, hiking, the worlds best whitewater rafting, swimming, outdoor arts and music festivals, live theater, NAIA college world series, jet boat tours, float trip tours, camping, hunting for deer, elk, bighorn sheep and birds, and incredible fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, small mouth bass, trout and crappie. The Asotin County fair is in April, and the Nez Perce County fair is in September, as is the Lewiston Roundup. There are miles of paved levee pathways along the rivers for walking, jogging, bicycling and roller-blading. This is truly the "Banana Belt of the Pacific Northwest", yet snow skiing and snowmobiling is just a short drive away.

Educational opportunities are world class. Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC) is located in Lewiston, Idaho and offers 2 to 4 year academic and technical programs. Walla Walla Community College (extension) is in Clarkston, Washington, offering 2 year A.A.A. and A.A.S. programs. Just 30 miles north of Lewiston, the University of Idaho, located in Moscow, offers nearly 150 areas of undergraduate study and 105 graduate degrees. Located just 32 miles north of Lewiston, in Pullman is Washington State University offering over 150 undergraduate programs and over 100 masters and doctoral degrees.

Climate in the Lewis Clark Valley is wonderful! The confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers is at an elevation of 738 feet above sea level. Lower Granite Lake extends 32 miles down stream to Lower Granite Dam. The hills to the north of the valley rise abruptly to about 2,000 feet above the valley floor. The temperature in the valley is much milder than the surrounding prairie. Our winter average temperature is 40.4 for high and 25.8 for low and the summer average temperature is 93.3 for high and 59.1 for low. The average rainfall is 12.9 inches per year, with a growing season of 200 days. Just about anything will grow here, if you give it water.

The Lewis Clark Valley offers a unique location for businesses. On the Lewiston, Idaho side of the Snake River is a corporate income tax and the Clarkston, Washington side of the river is a gross receipt tax state. There are different regulatory environments and business locations can be determined on the basis of the most appropriate tax and regulatory issues while enjoying the same labor market, vendor support, transportation services and training resources.

This is a great place to visit, and the greatest place to live, work, play and retire!

For more information contact the Lewis Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce.