Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
St. Joe National Forest covers approximately 867,000 acres in the northern Idaho panhandle, characterized by dense coniferous forests, steep mountainous terrain, and some of the state's most renowned rivers and trails. The forest spans parts of Shoshone, Benewah, and Latah counties and is a critical part of the larger Idaho Panhandle National Forests combined management unit. Dominated by Douglas fir, western red cedar, and lodgepole pine, the area provides habitat to wildlife such as elk, black bear, white-tailed deer, and sensitive species like the northern goshawk. The St. Joe River, renowned for its clear waters and excellent fishing opportunities—particularly for trout and smallmouth bass—runs through the forest, accompanied by several designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. Recreation opportunities include backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, boating, and wildlife viewing, with notable trails like the Scotchman Peak Trail offering sweeping alpine vistas. The forest contains several wilderness areas including the Salmo-Priest and Cabinet Mountains Wildernesses nearby, attracting visitors looking for solitude and pristine landscapes. Historically, the forest's environment was shaped by logging and mining activity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but now it is managed with an emphasis on multi-use conservation and recreation. Visitors are drawn to St. Joe for its combination of rugged adventure and serene natural beauty, as well as for camping, hunting, and scenic drives. The forest’s trail system and water features provide access to some of the most remote and untouched places in Idaho.
