Orofino is situated on the north and south banks of the Clearwater River.
The area's mild climate and convenient location made it a thriving Nez Perce village site long before Lewis and Clark stopped here in 1805.
Lumberjack Days
With over 50 years of success, this three-day annual celebration in September attracts locals as well as international audience.
Some compete in the lumberjack events.
Others test their endurance in the Lumberjack Fun Run.
Most simply enjoy being spectators.
Fine Gold
Captain Elias D. Pierce uncovered Oro Fino Creek's fine gold in the winter of 1859.
The following year, Pierce City and Oro Fino City, built two miles apart, became Idaho's earliest mining towns.
The Town Timber Built
When Oro Fino City burned down in 1867, the gold rush was coming to an end.
A new town named Orofino was platted in 1898 and incorporated soon after.
By 1905, most of the 207 residents were loggers and for nearly one-hundred years, timber shaped Orofino's economy.
Today, a diversity of employers are making Orofino a fine place to call home.
Dworshak Dam
Across the Clearwater River from Canoe Camp is the largest and highest straight-axis, concrete-gravity dam in the United States.
A visitor center is located at the top of the
dam.
Dworshak Fisheries Complex
Because the dam blocks migrating steelhead trout from their natural spawning grounds, a fish hatchery at the confluence of the North Fork of the Clearwater River was built in 1969.
It is now one of the largest producers of steelhead trout and spring Chinook salmon in the world.
The hatchery releases 2.2 million steelhead and up to one million Chinook into the Clearwater River each year.
Returning from the sea several years later, some steelhead weigh over 25 pounds.
The fish hatchery, located three miles west of Orofino on State Highway 7, is open for self-guided tours from 7:30am to 3:00pm.
The best viewing times are February through April for steelhead and June through September for Chinook salmon.
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