Nordman, Idaho

The crossroads

Nordman is a store, a post office, a tavern and a gas pump at the point where Highway 57 stops following the lake and heads for the Washington line. It was named for John Nordman, an early settler, and it has served the same purpose for a century: the last place to top off before the pavement runs out, and the first place to stop on the way home.

The lake is a mile or so east through the trees. Reeder Bay, with its resort, marina and Forest Service campground, is the west shore's social center in summer, and Reeder Creek gives the bay its long sandy beach.

North of Nordman

Continue north on 57 and the road turns to gravel as it climbs toward the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars, a stand of western red cedars several hundred years old at the base of Granite Falls. The short trail through the grove is one of the easiest, most affecting walks in North Idaho. The upper falls trail is steeper and worth it.

Beyond the grove, forest roads continue toward the Upper Priest River drainage, the Stagger Inn, and eventually the Washington border and Sullivan Lake. This is remote country with grizzly and caribou history, and the roads are snowbound for much of the year.

Things to do from Nordman

Swim at Reeder Bay, launch from the marina, or take the west shore road south to Luby Bay and the Priest Lake Museum. Hike the Lakeshore Trail north from Beaver Creek toward the Thoroughfare. In winter, Nordman is a snowmobile hub with groomed trails leaving right from the highway.

• Reeder Bay beach, campground and marina
• Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars and Granite Falls
• Hanna Flats Cedar Grove nature trail
• Lakeshore Trail toward Upper Priest Lake
• Groomed snowmobile trails from the highway in winter