October 22, 2024 Update:
- The Ashton Visitor Center is now open Friday-Sunday (closed Monday-Thursday) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Please be mindful of your speed while recreating on the Ashton-Tetonia Trail to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for all. Class 3 e-bikes, motorized ATVs, OHVs, & vehicles are not permitted on the trail.
- The Ashton-Tetonia Trail is in bear country. Remember to make noise; travel in groups and only hike/bike during daylight hours. Always carry bear spray and know how to use it.
- The Ashton-Tetonia Trail will experience significant construction during 2024-2025. Please be aware of heavy equipment and construction crews near all three trestles. The trail is generally open and accessible, and only short-term closures are expected for the remainder of the 2024 season.
- Keep off the trail when it’s muddy and do not approach wildlife. Thank you!
Ashton-Tetonia Trail Paving Project
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation plans to pave the Ashton-Tetonia Trail, most likely in the summer of 2025. Seeking to attract more users and to decrease the annual maintenance of the trail, the department secured federal funding to pay for the $3 million project.
Based on the experience with the Coeur d’Alene Parkway and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes in North Idaho, the department expects the paving will be beneficial to the area’s economy.
Project Details
- Construction: Between July and September 2025
- Length: 25 to 29.4 miles, depending on the cost of materials and budget.
- Width: 10 feet
- Thickness: 3 inches of asphalt over a 9 inch base layer of compacted material.
Funding comes from an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of $3 million, which is designed for economic development. An economic impact study showed that the Coeur d’Alene Parkway and Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes contribute $1.4 million and $1 million, respectively, each year to the local economy.
The benefits of a paved trail include a smooth surface for cyclists, parents with baby strollers, and for those with wheelchairs or other adaptive equipment. Asphalt will last many years with relatively low maintenance, alleviating the need to weeding, grading and other maintenance, which experience has shown to be a challenge.
Ashton-Tetonia Trail Comments
Current Conditions
Address: Visitor Center: 801 N Hwy 20
Ashton, ID 83420
Phone: (208) 652-7520
Hours of Operation: Visitor Center Hours: 8 am – 4 pm, Friday -- Sunday
