City & Regional Overview

Lewiston is a city located in Nez Perce County, Idaho in the state’s north central region. It is the second-largest city in the northern Idaho region, behind Coeur d’Alene, and ninth-largest in the state. Lewiston is the principal city of the Lewiston, ID-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area (often referred to as the Lewis-Clark Valley or LC Valley), which includes all of Nez Perce County and Asotin County, Washington. 

Lewiston is located at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers. Immediately west of Lewiston is the smaller twin city of Clarkston, Washington. The north-flowing Snake River departs Hells Canyon and forms the state boundary with Washington, while the west-flowing Clearwater River defines the northern border of the city. At their confluence at the city’s northwest corner, the lower Snake River turns west into Washington, and after passing four dams, empties into the Columbia River at Burbank. 

Because of these dams (and their locks), Lewiston is navigable by some ocean-going vessels and is the home of Idaho’s only seaport, the Port of Lewiston. The Port of Lewiston is the most inland seaport on the West Coast, located 465 river miles from the ocean, and serves as a hub for intermodal transportation, with immediate access to river, road, rail and a nearby airport.