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An RVer's Guide to Idaho Panhandle National Forest
Hidden Gems of the National Forest System
THOR and the National Forest Foundation are bringing you one step closer to the “hidden gems” of the National Forest system. Get tips for RVing at these national forest destinations and why they are some of the RV community’s best-kept secrets.
About Idaho Panhandle National Forest
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests are an aggregation of the Coeur d'Alene and portions of the Kaniksu and St. Joe National Forests and comprise about 2.5 million acres of public lands within "the panhandle" of northern Idaho, eastern Washington, and western Montana.
Situated on the Columbia Plateau between the Cascade and the Bitterroot Mountains, the Idaho Panhandle National Forests offers visitors grand mountain tops, clear lakes and rivers, waterfalls, ancient cedar groves, and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities in Idaho’s premier north country.
What To Do In the Idaho Panhandle
From the shores of big lakes to the banks of winding rivers, the Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ tapestry of land and water is full of opportunities for hiking, fishing, skiing, and camping.
There are few drives on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests that aren’t scenic. Consider the paved roads up the St. Joe River (Forest Highway 50) and the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River (Forest Highway 9). State Highway 57 from Priest River to Nordman, US Highways 2 and 95 north of Bonners Ferry and State Highway 200 between Sandpoint and the Montana state line. All of these offer great views of National Forest rivers, lakes, and mountains from the comfort of your vehicle and provide access to the scenic streams, mountain lakes, ridges, and peaks of the Idaho
Other popular attractions in the area include:
History
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests has numerous locations where Forest visitors can step into the past, including several historic ranger stations, rental cabins, and the Shoshone Park Picnic Area.
The Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace is another popular historic destination in the area. The trail’s two-mile course brings hikers to an overlook across the creek from the Pulaski Tunnel where “Big Ed” Pulaski saved all but six of his 45-man firefighting crew in August of 1910.
Fun Facts
- The Idaho Panhandle is the only home of the endangered woodland caribou in the lower 48 states.
- More than half of all the surface waters in Idaho are in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
- The Idaho Panhandle National Forests are one of only two places in the world where you can find Star Garnets.
Top Attractions
![A family eating at a picnic table by a mountain](https://thorindustries-prod.zaneray.com/cms/images/e2455aad-bab1-4eff-a880-a6bde01d2e46__MCW7035.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C531%2C5120%2C2500&w=1290&h=630)
Hidden Gems Series
Learn more about top destinations and tips for camping at National Forests from fellow RVers and the National Forest Foundation.
The National Forest Foundation x THOR Industries
In 2020, THOR and the National Forest Foundation entered a partnership that will plant at least 500,000 trees on National Forest lands. Join us by supporting our National Forests and help improve the health of important public lands for future generations.
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