Idaho Panhandle National Forests Idaho

Idaho Panhandle National Forests Overview

Idaho Panhandle National Forests includes over 2.5 million acres mostly in the panhandle of northern Idaho. The vast area includes spectacular mountains, large lakes and miles of rivers. The forest is also home to large game such as elk and deer. Grizzly bears, wolves, caribou and other smaller forest creatures also roams the area.

Recreation opportunities are found in 5 fairly broad geographic areas:

• Priest Lake Area (Priest Lake Ranger District – flanking scenic Priest Lake and Upper Priest Lake)
• Lower Kootenai River Area (Bonners Ferry Ranger District – rugged mountains surrounding the Kootenai River as it flows through the northern panhandle)
• Pend Oreille Lake Area (Sandpoint Ranger District – centered around Pend Oreille Lake and its major tributaries – Clark Fork River, Lightning Creek, and Pack River)
• Coeur d’Alene River Area (Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District – comprised largely of the Coeur d’Alene river basin)
• St. Joe River Area (St. Joe Ranger District – comprised primarily of the St. Joe River basin)

Amenities

• BBQ Grills
• Boat Launch/Ramp
• Boat Rental
• Boat Trailer Lot
• Campfire Center
• Campground Host
• Cell Service - Good
• Cell Service - None
• Cell Service Fair
• Cell Service Poor
• Comfort Station
• Dock
• Drinking Water
• Equestrian Facilities
• Equestrian trail
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Firewood Available
• Food Storage Locker
• Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
• Grills
• Pets OK
• Picnic Tables
• Ranger Station
• Recycling Center
• Restrooms (Flush Toilets, Vault Toilets)
• RV Dump Station
• Trash Collection

Activities

• ATVing
• Backpacking
• Biking
• Bird Watching
• Boating
• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Cross Country Skiing
• Fishing
• Fly Fishing
• Hiking
• Historic Sites
• Horseback riding
• Hunting
• Ice Fishing
• Ice Skating
• Jet Skiing
• Kayaking
• Mountain Biking
• OHVing
• OTV Trails/Riding
• Paddle boarding (SUP)
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Rafting
• Rock Climbing
• Sailing
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing
• Stargazing
• Swimming
• Water Skiing
• Water Sports
• Wildlife Viewing
• Winter/Snow Sports