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Highway 57: Priest Lake, Priest Lake, Idaho
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region · Public domain

Drives Idaho North Idaho

Highway 57: Priest Lake

ID 57, Reeder Bay Road, Albeni Road · Priest River → Nordman

Leisurely39 mi50 min1,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,600 ftOne way
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The drive

Idaho 57 runs north from Priest River on US 2 up the Priest River valley to Priest Lake. This drive is 39.1 miles and ends at Nordman at the north end, where state maintenance stops. The start lands on a short mill road beside US 2.

The highway follows the Priest River up to the lake's outlet, then runs along the lake's west shore. Steady two-lane curves run through conifer forest, with lake access and lodges. The curves are gentle; forest and lake views carry the drive.

At Nordman the highway ends and Forest Road 302 begins. The state-owned east side of the lake has the state park.

Along the way

  1. Priest River (US 2)
  2. Nordman
Elevation
1,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,600 ft
Priest RiverNordman
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Priest RiverNordman
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The road is quiet outside summer and busier on summer weekends.
  • Idaho Transportation Department maintains the road up to Nordman.
  • Check Idaho 511 for winter conditions.
  • Forest Road 302 begins where the highway ends at Nordman.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Idaho 511.

Questions about this drive

How long does Idaho 57 to Priest Lake take?

Idaho 57 from Priest River to Nordman is 39.1 miles and takes about 49 minutes.

Where does Highway 57 end?

State Highway 57 ends at Nordman, where Forest Road 302 begins.

Is Idaho 57 twisty?

It has steady, gentle curves through conifer forest and along the lake rather than tight turns.

When is Priest Lake busiest?

Summer is the busy season, and the road is quiet outside it.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

Map of Highway 57: Priest Lake, from Priest River to Nordman