Right now is the sweet spot for fall color in North Idaho. WeatherBug's October 7 foliage report had peak color widespread across Idaho's higher terrain, and the western larch, the tamaracks, are turning the mountainsides gold from mid-October into November. There is no better way to take it in than the International Selkirk Loop.
The 280-mile International Selkirk Loop circles the Selkirk Mountains through Idaho, Washington, and British Columbia, passing right through Sandpoint and along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. It is one of only a handful of scenic byways designated in two countries, and in mid-October it runs straight through the color: gold larch against the Selkirk, Cabinet, and Purcell ranges, with the lake flashing blue between the trees.
Timing matters. The highest terrain peaks first, so the mountain passes and ridgetop views are at their best right now, while valley floors and the lakeshore are still building toward their peak. The larch is the great exception: this deciduous conifer drops its needles, but not before turning them a brilliant gold, and its show runs later than the aspens and cottonwoods, often into early November.
Plan the drive with stops, not just miles. The stretch along Lake Pend Oreille between Sandpoint and the Clark Fork delta offers pullouts with lake-and-range panoramas. The road up Schweitzer Mountain itself climbs through the color bands, from valley gold to high-country larch. Pack a camera, a warm layer, and patience for the slower traffic that comes with leaf season.
Pair the loop with a Sandpoint stop. The town sits at the heart of the Idaho portion of the route, and mid-October is a fine time to be there: the summer crowds are gone, the lake is quiet, and the restaurants and shops are still in full swing before the ski season. Grab lunch downtown, walk the bridge, and watch the light change on the water.
Fall color is a moving target, and this year's reports suggest the window is now. Take the loop this week and you will catch North Idaho at its most photogenic.