Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Caribou–Targhee National Forest covers over 2 million acres across southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and northern Utah. The forest combines two previously separate national forests, Caribou and Targhee, providing a wide range of landscapes from alpine peaks and rugged canyons to dense forests and serene lakes. The area includes parts of the Yellowstone Plateau, Jackson Hole, and the South Henrys Mountains, offering exceptional ecological diversity. Vegetation ranges from sagebrush steppe to dense lodgepole pine and spruce-fir forests at higher elevations. Wildlife is abundant, featuring elk, moose, mule deer, black bears, and numerous bird species. Historically, the land has been home to Shoshone and Bannock tribes, and later saw settlers and homesteaders who used the forest for timber, grazing, and recreation. Today, Caribou–Targhee is popular for activities such as hiking on hundreds of miles of trails, mountain biking, fishing in cold mountain streams, and winter sports including cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Notable landmarks include the Palisades Reservoir, the Snake River Canyon, and access to parts of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Visitors enjoy a less crowded experience compared to nearby national parks, with opportunities for solitude and wilderness exploration. The forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, emphasizing multiple-use principles balancing recreation, wildlife conservation, and resource management.
