National Forest Foundation | Idaho Panhandle National Forest

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Idaho Panhandle National Forest

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests comprise about 2.5 million acres of public lands which lie within "the panhandle" of northern Idaho and extend into eastern Washington and western Montana.

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests are an aggregation of the Coeur d'Alene and portions of the Kaniksu and St. Joe National Forests. There are eight local points of contact including the Supervisor's Office, six district offices and the Coeur d'Alene Tree Nursery.

Some 300 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the forest is in the east-central part of the Columbia Plateau, between the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Bitteroot Mountains to the east.

Come enjoy the natural beauty of your National Forests in Northern Idaho. Grand mountain tops, clear lakes and rivers, waterfalls, ancient cedar groves and wildlife await you.

Quaint villages snuggle up against soaring peaks and hug the shores of deep blue lakes. Evergreen forests carpet mountains that have been a major world supplier of silver. It's beautiful country! Quiet country lanes lead to abandoned mining towns and trace military wagon roads from the Civil War era. Backcountry trails lead to alpine lakes and spectacular views. The sweet scent of wild huckleberry fills the summer air. Country inns and plush resorts, along with modern and rustic camping grounds, welcome travelers to Idaho's premier north country.

Miles of rivers and vast lakes are world-class for fishing. More than half of all the surface waters in Idaho are here, in the north country. Foam-flecked rapids challenge thewhitewater rafter. Glassy-quiet runs host canoes where steamboats once paddled to remote mining and lumbering camps.

Where there is fishing, there is boating and sailing. At Priest Lake, the Forest Service and the State of Idaho have developed shoreline and island campgrounds. Public and private boat ramps are also available at Lake Pend Oreille and Lake Coeur d'Alene marinas and campgrounds.

In winter, the snowy wilds and hundreds of miles of groomed trails beckon cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. Regional ski resorts invite the downhill skier with runs for beginners to experts. There are also plenty of winter fishing opportunities at area lakes.

The Idaho Panhandle is rich in wildlife. Species include elk, whitetail deer, and the woodland caribou, an endangered species living in northernmost Idaho, its last remaining home in the lower 48 states.

The grizzly bear, another endangered species, lives in small numbers in remote regions of the forest. Abundant surface water attracts a wide variety of waterfowl, eagles and osprey

Statistics

State(s):

Idaho, Montana, Washington

Notes & Conditions:

Research campground locations and amenities at the U.S. National Forest Campground Directory. The Web site is full of pictures and detailed descriptions to help you plan your next trip.

If you want to experience a guided recreation trip in a National Forest, visit Adventure Vacation to learn about whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, camping, hiking and fishing trips.

Are you an off-road rider? Learn more about the regulations here.

Permits, Passes and Fees:

The Visit Idaho Playgrounds (VIP) Pass is valid at more than 100 sites throughout Idaho that currently charge day-use or entry fees. These include sites managed by state and federal agencies. Passes currently may be purchased via the web at www.idahorec.org or by phone at 1-800-VISIT-ID

Maps:

Visit the U.S. Forest Service Map Directory to see what maps are available for this Forest and others you may want to visit.