Managed Recreation Areas
Most recreation areas in Idaho are protected lands, managed by federal or state agencies. These are public areas, generally chosen and maintained as recreation sites. These carefully managed locations total well over 25 million acres, offering Idaho’s visitors varied outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy relaxed sightseeing, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, even the thrill of whitewater rafting....and more.
These designated areas are set aside for today and the future, so that they can be enjoyed for years to come. They include designated U.S. National Forests, National Reserves, National Monuments, Wildlife Refuges and established Wilderness Areas.
NATIONAL FORESTS
The U.S. National Forests (NF) are protected forests and woodland areas and can be found throughout the United States. These federally-owned lands are managed by the USDA Forest Service (USFS), under the direction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The national forest system was created by the Land Revision Act of 1891.
The management of these recreation areas focuses on timber harvesting, livestock grazing, water, wildlife, and recreation. Additional lands, such as protected wildlife habitat, wilderness areas and designated national monuments found on federal lands are managed by either the USFS and other federal agencies. These national lands provide vast areas for a variety of recreational pursuits, sightseeing opportunities and historical appreciation.
There are eleven National Forests either wholly or partially located in the State of Idaho. They are:
- Bitterroot NF
- Boise NF
- Caribou-Targhee NF
- Clearwater NF
- Coeur d‘Alene NF
- Kaniksu NF
- Nez Perce NF
- Payette NF
- Salmon-Challis NF
- Sawtooth NF
- St. Joe NF
Bitterroot NF
The Bitterroot, set aside in 1907, covers more than 1.6 million acres in eastern Idaho and west central Montana. The Idaho portion contains both the Selway Bitterroot and the Frank Church, River of No Return Wilderness Areas Drainages from the Bitterroot Mountain range and lesser ranges include The Selway River, the Lochsa River and the Salmon River, the River of No Return. Popular recreation area. Focus city: Salmon, Idaho. More information: (406) 363-7100
Boise NF
The Boise is comprised of more than 2.6 million acres north and east of Idaho’s capital city of Boise. Much of the lands lie within the Idaho Batholith, a large, heavily eroded geological phenomenon. The Boise River, the South and Middle Forks of the Salmon River and the Payette River run through it. Parts of the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, the Sawtooth Wilderness and the Sawtooth Recreation Area are within the forest. Established in 1908. Conifer forests cover most of this expansive site, set aside and managed and protected for now and the future. Focus city: Boise, Idaho. More information: (208) 373-4100
Caribou-Targhee NF
The Caribou-Targhee, over 3 million acres in several separate sections, is found in Wyoming and Idaho, with a small portion in Utah. To the east the forest borders Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Most of the forest lies within the 20 million acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This special recreation area was set aside in 1903. Focus city: Pocatello, Idaho. More information: (208) 524-7500
Clearwater NF
Bounded on the east by the State of Montana, on the north by the Nez Perce National Forest and to the south and west by the Salmon and Snake River Canyons, the Clearwater makes up a great portion of north central Idaho. The forest is 1.8 million acres. The Lochsa and Clearwater Rivers flow through the forest and portions of the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness lie within the forest. The forest features the Lolo Trail, used by the Indians for years and by Lewis and Clark on their trek west. Focus city: Orofino, Idaho. More information: (208) 476-4541
Coeur d’Alene NF
Located north in the state’s panhandle, the Coeur d’Alene is one of three forests grouped together into the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The other two are the Kaniksu and the St. Joe. Small portions of the Kaniksu forest can be found to the west in Washington, and to the east in Montana. Combined, the three forests total about 2.5 million acres of public lands used as recreation areas. Focus city: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. More information: (208) 765-7223
Kaniksu NF
The Kaniksu, along with St. Joe and Coeur d’Alene make up the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, a total of about 2.5 million acres. Some 300 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the forests are part of the east-central part of the Columbia Plateau, between the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Bitterroot Mountains to the east. Focus city: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. More information: (208) 765-7223
Nez Perce NF
The Nez Perce is located in the heart of north-central Idaho. Covering2.2 million acres, It stretches from the Oregon border on the west to the Montana border on the east; and is roughly bounded by the Selway River drainage on the north to the Salmon River on the south. The Forest is best known for its wild character. Nearly half of the Forest is designated wilderness. It also sports two rivers popular with thrill-seeking floaters—the Selway and the Salmon. Focus city: Grangeville, Idaho. More information: (208) 983-1950
Payette NF
The Payette National Forest spans over 2.3 million acres of some of west-central Idaho's most beautiful and diverse country. In one day you can travel from hot desert grasslands through cool conifer forests to snow-capped peaks. The forest has everything from the deep recesses of Hell's Canyon to peaks reaching elevations of almost 9,500 feet. It is located entirely within Idaho. Focus city: McCall, Idaho. More information: (208) 634-0700
Salmon-Challis NF
The Salmon-Challis National Forest covers over 4.3 million acres in east-central Idaho. Included within the boundaries of the Forest is 1.3 million acres of the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness Area, the largest wilderness area in the continental United States. Rugged and remote, this country offers adventure, solitude and breathtaking scenery. The forest also contains Borah Peak (Idaho’s tallest), the wild and scenic Salmon River and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Focus city: Salmon, Idaho. More information: (208) 756-5100
Sawtooth NF
The Sawtooth is located in Idaho, with a small portion in the State of Utah. The 2.1 million acres was originally set aside in 1905 as the Sawtooth Forest Reserve. This land is some of the most remote forestland in the lower 48 states. There are over 1,000 lakes and 3,000 miles of rivers and streams in the set aside, and part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is within the forest. Focus city: Twin Falls, Idaho. More information: (208) 737-3200
St. Joe NF
The St. Joe is located in the Idaho panhandle, one of the three National Forests that are aggregated into the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The other two are the Coeur d’Alene and the Kaniksu. The largest portion of the St. Joe is southeast of the Coeur d’Alene and is bordered to the east by the State of Montana. The St. Joe River, famed for fishing and rafting, runs through the heart of the forest to its end at Lake Coeur d’Alene. Focus city: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. More information: (208) 765-7223
OTHER RECREATION AREAS
Many other recreation areas in Idaho also include sites managed by various federal or state agencies. These public areas are recreation sites established and maintained for general public use. They include National Reserves, National Monuments, Wildlife Refuges and established Wilderness Areas. Here are some of the more popular recreation areas found in Idaho:
Albeni Falls Dam Recreation Area
This recreation site, found on the Pend Oreille River near the city of Priest River, is managed and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. Four campgrounds with 140 campsites. Besides camping, the area provides boating, fishing and hiking opportunities. Visitor center with interpretive displays. Dam powerhouse tours available. More information: (208) 437-3133
Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge has 19,000 acres of marsh, open water, and grasslands. The refuge is located 7 miles southwest of Montpelier, Idaho in the southeast corner of the state. Important as a nesting area for white-faced ibis, Canada geese and redhead ducks. Also a nesting, resting and feeding area for ducks, greater sandhill cranes, and a variety of water and shorebirds. More information: (208) 847-1757
Camas National Wildlife Refuge
The Camas Wildlife Refuge, is northwest of Hamer, Idaho. This valuable habitat is a 10,578-acre sanctuary for migrating waterfowl and other animals. Geese, ducks, herons, egrets, cranes and swans all nest here. Antelope, moose, elk, white-tail deer, beaver, muskrat and the occasional mule deer can also be found. More information: (208) 662-5423
City of Rocks National Reserve
Near Almo, Idaho, City of Rocks encompasses 14,407 acres of land operated by the U.S. National Parks Service. This unique geologic area became a landmark in 1843 for California-bound emigrants. Wagon wheel ruts can be seen and signatures in axle grease are found on Register Rock, Camp Rock and others. A few granite pinnacles and monoliths are over sixty stories tall and 2.5 billion years old. The smooth granite faces offer exceptional rock climbing. More than 500 climbing routes have been identified. This is a popular recreation area. More information: (208) 824-5519
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Located near Arco, Idaho. Craters of the Moon was established to preserve the unique volcanic features of this 750,000-acre lava field. It is an excellent site for hiking, bird watching, photography, backpacking and caving. A surprising number of plants and animals have adapted to live in the harsh volcanic and high desert environment. The monument and recreation area is jointly managed by the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. More information: (208) 527-3257
Curlew National Grassland
South of Pocatello near Malad City, Idaho, this 47,000-acre site is within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Dotted with homesteads built by early settlers, the Curlew National Grassland is the only National Grassland in the intermountain west, established in 1960. This land is covered with sagebrush and non-native seeded grasses providing habitat for a diversity of wildlife, including upland game birds and waterfowl. More information: (208) 236-7500
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
This 11,000-acre wildlife protection area consisting of both Lake Lowell and Snake River sections can be found west of Nampa, Idaho. Spectacular concentrations of birds can be seen on the lake during peak migration periods. Shorebirds occur in large numbers in August when low water levels expose mudflats. Waterfowl occur in large numbers in fall and winter. The lake is closed to boating October 1 through April 14, andThe Snake River islands are closed to public access from February through May to protect nesting habitat. More information: (208) 467-9278
Dworshak Dam and Reservoir Recreation Area
This large and popular recreation area is found in and around a 53-mile long, 16,000-acre reservoir. Close to Orofino, Idaho, in the Clearwater The dam holding back water is the tallest straight axis concrete dam in North America. Amenities include Dent Acres Campground with full service camp sites and docks. Anglers fish for kokanee salmon, rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. Primitive camp sites are located on isolated coves dotted around the lake. More information: (208) 476-1255
Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness
West of Challis, Idaho, the Salmon River, the River of No Return, roars through the pristine Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the largest single wilderness in the lower 48 states. There are numerous trails for exploration ranging from easy to very difficult in this recreation area. Contact the Forest Service for maps and assistance in planning a backcountry trip. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River is run spring through fall, until ice forms. More information: (208) 634-0400
Gospel Hump Wilderness
Within the Nez Perce NF, southeast of Grangeville, Idaho, Idaho's newest wilderness, the Gospel Hump Wilderness Area, was formed under the Central Idaho Wilderness Act of 1980. Elevations in the wilderness area varies widely, ranging from 3500 feet at the Salmon River to 8,500 feet at Buffalo Hump. Oregon Butte and Buffalo Hump are popular places to hike. More information: (208) 983-1950
Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Grays Lake Wildlife Refuge, north of Soda Springs, Idaho is a 18,330-acre preserve for migrating waterfowl such as sandhill cranes, Franklin's gulls, geese, ducks and hawks. During fall migration as many as 3,000 cranes may be found at the marsh. At times, there may be as many as 40,000 Franklin's gulls here. Wldflowers here generally peak in mid-June. A visitor center educates the public about species found in the area. More information: (208) 574-2755
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Located in both the Nez Perce NF and the Payette NF, near Cambridge, Idaho. Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America and offers more than 70 miles of rugged river country, an important recreation area. Consider exploring this remote canyon in a jet boat or raft, or try a hike or trail ride. The Pittsburg Landing hike, accessible all year, takes you up the river 5 miles to Historic Kirkwood Ranch. Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, which takes you to Hells Canyon Dam, is accessed by traveling north of Cambridge on Highway 71. More information: (208) 628-3916
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge
This 2,774-acre wildlife sanctuary is located in Idaho's panhandle about 20 miles south of the Canadian border and 5 miles west of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Provides important habitat and a resting area for migrating waterfowl and includes a wide variety of habitat types. Wetlands, meadows, riparian forests and cultivated agricultural fields are interspersed in the valley bottom adjacent to the west banks of the Kootenai River. Wetlands include open-water ponds, seasonal cattail-bulrush marshes, tree-lined ponds and rushing creeks. More information: (208) 267-3888
Lucky Peak Dam Recreation Area
This recreation area is popular with locals and tourists alike. Located just outside of Boise, Idaho, Lucky Peak Reservoir was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers and now houses several units of Lucky Peak State Park. Great for boating, jet-skiing and swimming. The Spring Shores unit has a 298-slip marina, a store, boat ramps, trailer parking and picnic areas. Below the dam, Sandy Point is an area set aside for children with a pond, fountain, snack bar and picnic areas. More information: (208) 334-2432
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge
Found 12 miles northeast of Rupert, Idaho, this 20,721-acre wildlife refuge extends upstream for 25 miles along the Snake River from Minidoka Dam and includes all of Lake Walcott. An important function of the refuge is to provide a safe molting area for water fowl in the summer. Concentrations of up to 100,000 waterfowl may be seen in the fall. The refuge provides good opportunities to view many other forms of wildlife. About 1/3 of the lake is open to boats April 1-Sept 30. More information: (208) 436-3589
Sawtooth National Recreation Area
At Ketchum, Idaho, the Visitor Center is the southern gateway to the majestic landscapes of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The Visitor Center features information services, compelling educational programs, video presentation, audio tour tapes and natural history exhibits. Here are the headwaters of the Salmon River and over 300 alpine lakes which lie nestled between the jagged peaks. Trail rides and pack trips, scenic drives, hiking and boating are all available in this recreation area near Stanley. More information: (208) 727-5013
Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness lies in the Clearwater and Bitterroot National Forests, southeast of Lewiston, near Lowell, Idaho. It was one of the first areas to be designated under the Wilderness Act of 1964. Most of this large wilderness is accessible only by horseback, foot or boat. Elevations range from 1,800 feet on the Selway and Lochsa Rivers to mountain peaks as high as 8,800 feet along the Bitterroot Divide. More information: (208) 926-4258
