Does the Continental Divide Cross Idaho? Yes — Along the Bitterroots

Affirmative

The Continental Divide of the Americas runs through Idaho for approximately 300 miles, forming much of the Idaho-Montana border.

Idaho Segment

• Entry: From Canada (Yellowhead Pass) into Idaho at the Bitterroot Mountains (Rocky Mountains subrange).
• Path: Follows the Bitterroot Range crest southward — separating Clearwater/Salmon River drainages (Pacific) from Bitterroot/Clark Fork (Atlantic via Missouri/Mississippi).
• Key Passes: Lolo Pass (5,233 ft), Lost Trail Pass (7,014 ft), Chief Joseph Pass (7,251 ft).
• Sawtooth Connection: The Divide briefly departs the border to loop through the Sawtooth Range (Sawtooth Wilderness) before rejoining the MT border.
• Exit: Crosses into Montana at Monida Pass (6,820 ft) near I-15.

Trail Access

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) traverses this section — rugged, remote, spectacular. Idaho CDT highlights: Chinese Wall (Bob Marshall Wilderness, MT side), Sawtooth Lakes, Salmon River breaks.

Downstream

From Idaho, the Divide continues through Montana (Glacier NP), Wyoming (Yellowstone), Colorado (Rockies spine), New Mexico, into Mexico.