St. Joe National Forest is more than a serene Northern Idaho escape into nature. It’s a forest surrounded by forests, with an untamed river cutting through it. It’s part of a trifecta collectively known as the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Named after the St. Joe River, the highest navigable river in the world, the forest reaches elevations of nearly 7,700 feet at the “Top of the Joe.”
A place this remote must be hard to reach, right? Again, the St. Joe River Region breaks the mold. The forest is tucked south of the interstate, between the Montana border and the neighboring Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. There are two main ways to get there. First, St. Maries, Idaho, less than 90 minutes from Spokane, provides access to the river, trails, and campsites. Another option is to take I-90 from Spokane to St. Regis, Montana, about two hours away. No matter which entry point you choose, the St. Joe River Scenic Byway runs nearly 90 miles along the river between the two communities.
The St. Joe River flows down from the Bitterroot Mountains just below Illinois Peak near the Montana border before eventually flowing into Lake Coeur d’Alene. A total of 66.3 miles of the St. Joe River have been designated as Wild and Scenic, stretching from St. Joe Lake to Avery. The scenery, wildlife watching, and wealth of outdoor recreation here were just a handful of the reasons the river received the distinction. Today, St. Joe National Forest’s trails lead hikers over the water, into tunnels, and through some of the region’s most remote landscapes.
Camp near the St. Joe River
Travelers looking to spend a night under the stars can choose from the campsites and cabins around St. Joe National Forest, which are scattered along the river. The closest to St. Maries is the Shadowy St. Joe Campground. From there, accommodations largely follow the river as the surroundings become increasingly remote…