Tolo Lake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tolo Lake
Tolo Lake, unknown date
Tolo Lake Location in Idaho Show map of Idaho Tolo Lake Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Idaho County, Idaho United States
Coordinates	45°54′55″N 116°14′10″W / 45.9153928°N 116.2361195°W / 45.9153928; -116.2361195
Surface elevation	3,235 feet (986 m)
Tolo Lake U.S. National Register of Historic Places Location Tolo Lake Road, Nez Perce National Historical Park Idaho County, Idaho United States Nearest city Grangeville Area 206 acres (83 ha) NRHP reference No. 10001200 Added to NRHP February 7, 2011

Tolo Lake is a small, natural lake located in Idaho County, Idaho, in the United States. It sits in a grassy area known as the camas prairie. This lake is quite shallow and covers about 35 acres (14 hectares).

In 2011, an area of about 206 acres (83 hectares) around the lake was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site.

Discovering Tolo Lake

Tolo Lake is a special place with a rich history. It has been important for many years. The lake is known for its natural beauty and its connection to the past.

A Special Place for the Nez Perce People

For a long time, Tolo Lake was a significant meeting spot for the Nez Perce people. They would gather here for different reasons. It was a place where they could meet up and connect. Other groups also used this area as a meeting point.

Tolo Lake and the Nez Perce War

Tolo Lake also played a role in the Nez Perce War. This was a historical conflict that happened a long time ago. The lake is connected to the Battle of White Bird Canyon. This battle was an important event during the war. The area around Tolo Lake holds many stories from that time.

Discovering Ancient Mammoths

In 1995, something amazing was found at Tolo Lake. Scientists discovered the bones of mammoths there! Mammoths were huge, elephant-like animals that lived a very long time ago. Finding their bones at Tolo Lake tells us about the ancient history of this area. It shows that these giant creatures once roamed where the lake now sits.