We want you to have a fun and memorable experience when you visit the forest, so please be prepared. Knowing forest regulations and how to recreate safety is a smart way to play.

Know Before You Go

 

Follow these tips to get the most out of your outdoor experience and "Know Before You Go".

Check with your local ranger station for the most up to date travel information, closures, fire information, or recreation opportunities. Ranger station locations and contact information can be found here.  

Know and participate in best practices for Responsible Recreation to ensure a good experience for you and others. 

Preventing Invasive Weed Spread

What can you do to prevent the spread of noxious weeds? 

Noxious weeds displace native plant species which can decrease grazing capacities for wildlife and  livestock by 65% to 90%. Most noxious weeds are nonedible to wildlife and livestock. 

Stock Users

• Use only invasive-free (weed-free) forage/hay when feeding livestock on National Forests. Feed animals Certified Noxious Weed Free Forage 72 hours prior to entering public land. 
• Brush the coat and clean the hooves and feet of other animals (dogs, goats, etc.) before, after, and throughout your time recreating. 
• Avoid setting up camps in weed infested areas. 
• Clean clothing and outdoor recreation equipment thoroughly and often (boots, socks, pants, jackets, waders, saddles, blankets, etc.).
• Leave areas in better condition than when you found them by pulling noxious weeds. 
• When grooming stock, focus on the mane, tail, legs, between legs, hooves, and belly. These are the areas where the majority of weed seed wil be found and are transferred from location to location. 
• Grooming stock properly will not only benefit public land, but will also benefit your land! 

Learn about noxious weeds toxic to horses, and Idaho's Noxious Weed Free Forage and Straw Certification Program. 

OHV and Vehicle Users

• Before and after your trip, thoroughly power wash your vehicle and undercarriage. 
• Drive only on established roads. Avoid driving through weed infested areas. 
• Make sure to clean your clothes, vehicle (whether boat, OHV, or full sized vehilce), and gear off after recreating to prevent the spread of invasive species to other areas.
• Do not collect invasive plants, their seeds, or reproductive bodies.
• Do not carry firewood long distances. Burn it where you buy it!

Learn More

• Learn more about noxious weeds and Invasive Species in Idaho.
• Want to be part of the solution? Check out WildSpotter, where you can help find, map, and prevent invasive species spread through an app!
• Check out PlayCleanGo to stop invasive species in YOUR tracks.  
• Learn more about invasive species and the Forest Service. 

Be Bear Aware

   

Bears can be anywhere. Assume their presence. Avoiding a conflict is easier than dealing with one. 

• Always keep a safe distance from wildlife. Never intentionally get close to a bear.
• Stay alert and look for bear activity, especially where visibility or hearing is limited (woods, bushy areas, streams).
• Travel in a group. Groups of people are usually noisier and less likely to surprise bears.
• Make noise by talking or clapping, especially when visibility or hearing are limited.
• Carry bear spray in an accessible place and know how to use it.
• Avoid traveling at night, dawn, or dusk.
• Avoid carcass sites and evidence of carcasses (such as groups of scavenger birds).
• Anyone moving quickly (i.e. mountain biker, trail runner) is at a higher risk of surprising a bear.

Keep food and other attractants away from bears. 

• Never feed wildlife, especially bears. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose a threat to human safety.
• Bears are curious and food driven.
• Feeding bears puts people and bears at risk.
• Securing food and garbage means keeping it in an approved bear resistant container (locked car, bear box, bear resistant garbage can, etc.).
• Learn more about Bear Resistant Products.

Be prepared to handle a bear encounter. 

• During an encounter with a bear:
  • Never run away. You cannot outrun a bear. Running may trigger a bear to chase.
  • Never approach a bear.
• In any bear encounter, your behavior matters. Bears respond to your actions. Both grizzly bears and black bears pose a risk. The bear’s behavior should determine your response. Different situations call for different responses.
• Carry bear spray in an accessible place and know how to use it.
• Learn more about Bear Spray. 

Learn more about being Bear Aware and recreating safely in bear country at:

• U. S. Forest Service Be Bear Aware
• Hiking and Camping in Bear Country
• Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee

 

Know how to identify the difference between a grizzly and a black bear? Keep this Bear Identification card handy to help you learn the differences! To learn more about identifying the differences between black bears and grizzly bears, go to Idaho Fish & Game's Bear Identification Program webpage.

Leave No Trace

Remember to follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace when recreating in the outdoors: 

1. Plan ahead and prepare. 
2. Travel and camp on duarble surfaces. 
3. Dispose of waste properly. 
4. Leave what you find. 
5. Minimize campfire impacts. 
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of others. 

Check out more Leave No Trace best practices and tips on the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics YouTube page. 

Pack it in - Pack it out

Leave your camp clean!

• Pack out whatever isn't natural to the environment, such as toilet paper, hygiene products, food waste, cans, paper products, and bottles.
• Don't burn your garbage! Toxic smoke and chemicals are released when burning plastics, paper, glass, and cans, which can be inhaled by anyone nearby. 
• Deposit solid human waste in cat holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. 

Tread Lightly

Tread Principles

• Travel Responsibly 
• Respect the Rights of Others
• Educate Yourself
• Avoid Sensitive Areas
• Do Your Part

Learn more about the Tread Lightly principles and how to Tread Lightly on land or water. 

Check out the helpful tips and reminders from Tread Lightly: 

• Don't Trash the Tradition 
• Ride on the Road 
• Look, Don't Loot 
• Place Invaders