Cayuse Creek rises in the extreme southeast part of Clearwater County and, according to Idaho Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary, was named by Frank Altmiller who found an Indian pony on the creek. Altmiller worked for the U.S. Forest Service before 1960. Cayuse is a term for a western range horse.

Cayuse Creek rises as part of the Lost Lakes and flows 21 miles west and the 7 miles northeast before going into Kelly Creek in the Clearwater River drainage. Cayuse Lake and Junction like 3 miles south of Blacklead Mountain. As with Kelly Creek it is a favorite of anglers fishing for catch and release Cutthroat Trout.

At Cayuse Landing Field the creek is flat and wide open, but a short distance downstream it drops into a deep, confined gorge with bedrock inner walls. This gorge contains several class III rapids and sections of boils and swirling eddies, according to North Idaho Rivers and Creeks web site. For further information about floating Cayuse Creek and some photos and a map, see their web site at: http://www.northidahorivers.com/Cayuse_Creek.htm.

For those interested in hiking and camping in the area, check this web page: https://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGW036-067.

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