Discover 8 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Idaho Panhandle National Forests (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Priest Lake, Mica Peak, and Kaniksu National Forest. Also, be sure to include Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Idaho Panhandle National Forests (Idaho).
Table of Contents
Priest Lake
Lake in Idaho. Priest Lake, Idaho, United States is located in the northernmost portion of the Idaho Panhandle, 80 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington, with the northern end of the lake extending to within 15 miles of the Canada–US border. The primary lake, lower Priest, is 19 miles long and over 300 feet deep. Upper Priest is connected by a 2.5 mile thoroughfare to lower Priest.[1]
Mica Peak
Mountain in Idaho
Kaniksu National Forest
National forest in the United States of America. The Kaniksu National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in northeastern Washington, the Idaho Panhandle, and northwestern Montana. It is one of three forests that are aggregated into the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, along with the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and St. Joe National Forest. Kaniksu National Forest has a total area of 1,627,833 acres. About 55.7% is in Idaho, 27.9% in Montana, and 16.4% in Washington.
The name Kaniksu is from a Kalispel Indian word which means "black robe." It was used to refer to the Jesuit missionaries who brought their faith to North Idaho and Eastern Washington.[2]
Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area
Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area is located near Clarkia in the St. Joe National Forest of Idaho in the northwestern United States. The grove is a 240-acre area containing old growth Western Red Cedar estimated to be 500 years old. The upper area contains Western Red Cedar surrounded by Oregon boxwood. The lower portion of the area contain the giant cedars surrounded by Lady-fern. The forest was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1980.
There is a self-guided interpretive tour for the area which has over a mile and a half of trails. There are cedar log benches and picnic facilities. There are numerous camping facilities in the area, which is located between St. Maries and Clarkia, Idaho about sixty miles south of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.[3]
Coeur d'Alene National Forest
National forest in Idaho. The Coeur d'Alene is a U.S. National Forest located in the Idaho panhandle and is one of three forests that are aggregated into the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Coeur d'Alene National Forest is located in Shoshone, Kootenai, and Bonner counties in northern Idaho. It has a total area of 726,362 acres.
The forest headquarters is located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. There are local ranger district offices located in Coeur d'Alene and Silverton.[4]
St. Joe National Forest
The St. Joe National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in the Idaho panhandle and is one of three forests that are aggregated into the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. In descending order of land area St. Joe National Forest is located in parts of Shoshone, Latah, Clearwater, and Benewah counties. It has a total area of 867,882 acres.\[5]
Eastport–Kingsgate Border Crossing
The Eastport–Kingsgate Border Crossing connects the town of Bonners Ferry, Idaho with Yahk, British Columbia on the Canada–US border. It can be reached by U.S. Route 95 on the American side and British Columbia Highway 95 on the Canadian side. The Spokane International Railroad first crossed the border at this location in 1906, connecting Spokane with the Canadian Pacific Railway. Canada built its first border station at Kingsgate later that year; the US station is one of two in Idaho, and many trucks travel between British Columbia and the US Interstate system at Interstate 90 a hundred miles to the south. This crossing is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.[6]
Priest Lake Powersports
Library
Address: 28544 Highway 57, Idaho Panhandle National Forests