Welcome to the
Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Photo of Sisters Creek gorge, a tributary to the St. Joe River.
Sisters Creek gorge,
a tributary to the St. Joe River.

From the shores of big lakes to the banks of winding rivers, the Idaho Panhandle National Forests create a tapestry of land and water in the handle of North Idaho. The Forest has been and continues to be the lifeline for local communities. Silver, gold and large timber drew settlers to the area. Remnant roads that once led to work now lead to play, and treasures sought are now recreational - water-based activities, winter uses and the traditional hiking, hunting, fishing and gathering....Read more

The official address of this site is fs.usda.gov/ipnf If you are curious about the long address you see in your web browser or interested in other short addresses for specific sections of this site, visit our web address information page.

Draft Forest Plan Available For Review

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on the Draft Forest Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests released January 3, 2012.

Planned dates and locations for the Open House meetings are as follows:

  • Coeur d’Alene, January 10, 5:00pm-7:00pm, Fernan Office
  • St. Maries, January 11, 5:00pm-7:00pm, St. Maries Ranger District Office
  • Smelterville, January 12, 5:00pm-7:00pm, Silver Valley Office
  • Bonners Ferry, January 17, 5:00pm-7:00pm, Bonners Ferry Ranger District Office
  • Priest Lake, January 19, 5:00pm-7:00pm, Priest Lake Ranger District Office
  • Sandpoint, January 23, 5:00pm-7:00pm, Sandpoint Ranger District Office

Recent News


Features

Know Before You Go

Before heading out to the woods, be prepared. Check our Alerts & Notices page for the latest:

  • fire information,
  • closure notices,
  • avalanche conditions,
  • and more.

Spotlights

Our Rich Heritage

Photo: Launch at Boathouse. The USFS Firefly at Camp B. Distillery Bay, 1910

Our heritage web pages tell a portion the IPNF story through photos, articles and documents that have been produced since the Heritage program first began in the late 1970s.