"We encamped at the city of the rocks, a noted place from the granite rocks rising abruptly out of the ground, " wrote James Wilkins in 1849. "They are in a romantic valley clustered together, which gives them the appearance of a city.
A sea of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush describes this "weird and scenic landscape" known as Craters of the Moon.
For thousands of years the valleys, prairies, mountains, and plateaus of the inland northwest have been home to the Nimiipuu or Nez Perce people. Explore these places. Learn their stories. Treat them with care.
Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Area Office, this complex of wetlands and ponds cover 1.7 square miles (1105 acres) and is located above Black Canyon Reservoir.
American Falls Reservoir is formed by American Falls Dam, which is a major facility on the Mindoka Project.
Lake Cascade which is formed by Cascade Dam is part of the Boise Project. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, this 44 square mile (28, 300-acre) lake offers 86 miles of shoreline.
Deadwood Reservoir is formed by Deadwood Dam which is part of the Boise Project. Recreation on this 4.5 square mile (3, 000-acre) reservoir with 21 miles of shoreline is managed by the Boise National Forest, (Boise National Forest map).
Lake Lowell is managed by both the Bureau of Reclamation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Part of the Boise Project this 14.5 square mile (9, 800-acre) reservoir with 28 miles of shoreline lies within the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge.
Warm Springs Dam and Reservoir (Vale Project) are on the Middle Fork of the Malheur River about 13 miles southwest of Juntura, Oregon. The 4, 600 surface acre reservoir lies against the tall, steep hills on the eastern side of a broad valley.
The 103-mile Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway offers high desert scenery at its finest.
Some of Southern Idaho`s best fishing, boating and water skiing. The BLM has 9 semi-developed recreation sites here. This is also a popular ice fishing destination.
Thorn Creek Reservoir is surrounded by Great Basin desert vegetation, with sagebrush and grasslands spreading over rolling hills. In the spring and fall waterfowl and shorebirds concentrate at the reservoir.
You can see the birds of prey in their natural river canyon habitat on a scenic float trip.
Visitors who take the time to walk through this approximately 4, 000-year-old lava flow can learn how it was created and how plants and animals have managed to adapt to this harsh environment. Interpretive signs are located along the trails.
The Clearwater River has an international reputation as one of the best steelhead fisheries anywhere. The river and US 12 are part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
The sparkling waters of Lake Coeurd'Alene, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, offer many different kinds of outdoor recreational activities year-round in a setting of exceptional scenic beauty.
The Great Rift is one of only two such features in the world. At 635 square miles, it is considered to be the largest, deepest, and most recent volcanic rift system in the continental United States.
The St. Anthony Sand Dunes consists of 11, 000 acres of clear, shifting, white quartz sand. Although this is a wilderness study area, the dunes support high off-road vehicle traffic. Dunes up to 400 feet high attract riders from throughout the west.
14 campsites on a small impoundment, which despite its size, attracts a great deal of wildlife. Spring through fall, plovers, sandpipers and geese frolic in the mudflats and swim in the waters.
Primitive camping on the north shore of the reservoir & dispersed camping around the shore. Fishing for trout, hunting for mule deer and pronghorn antelope. Motorized boating permitted on the lake.
Trailhead for Jimmy Smith Lake, in a fantastic lake-filled area within the White Cloud Peaks in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Fishing for rainbow trout.
Nesting golden eagles, prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, and great horned owls inhabit the cliffs of this steep canyon. Outside the canyon, upland game birds live in the sage grasslands.
Albeni Falls Dam sits on the Pend Oreille River. Behind the dam, the waters of the Pend Oreille stretch 65 miles through a glacially carved valley that separates three mountain ranges.
Dworshak Reservoir, found in central Idaho along the North Fork of the Clearwater River, is located in scenic forested and mountainous country. Popular activities include swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, water skiing, camping, hiking and lots more.
Lucky Peak Lake is located in the foothills of southwestern Idaho on the Boise River, 10 miles southeast of the city of Boise. When full, the lake behind the dam is 12 miles long with 42 miles of shoreline and about 4, 200 surface acres of public land.
Located in north-central Idaho, lies the Clearwater National Forest. The forest comprises 1.8 million acres that ranges in elevation from 1, 600 to nearly 9, 000 feet.
Located in "the panhandle" of northern Idaho and extending into eastern Washington State and western Montana, lies the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.
The Caribou National Forest was created in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt. The Forest now covers more than 1 million acres in southeast Idaho, with small portions in Utah and Wyoming.Minnetonka Cave, in beautiful St.
The Payette National Forest encompasses some of Idaho's most beautiful and diverse country. Located in west-central Idaho north of Boise, the 2.3 million acre forest extends 100 miles west to east from Hells Canyon to the Middle Fork Salmon River.
Located in central Idaho, lies the Sawtooth National Forest encompassing 2.1 million acres. The season of the year makes no difference as the Sawtooth is a "Forest For All Seasons".
Located in north central Idaho between Oregon and Montana, lies the Nez Perce National Forest. Of the Forest's 2.2 million-acres, nearly one half of the land is classified wilderness.
We have 70 campgrounds and picnic areas including some sites that are wheelchair accessible. Over 1, 300 miles of trails are maintained. Visitors can hike and ride horseback on Selected trails are open to bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs.
The Salmon-Challis National Forests are located in east-central Idaho with the impressive crests of the Bitterroot range forming the east boundary and the Idaho-Montana border.
Located in eastern Idaho and western Wyoming, lies the Targhee National Forest. The Forest is situated next to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.