Saint Joe River

The Saint Joe River rises in the Northern Bitterroot Mountains near the Montana border and winds roughly 140 miles westward through the forested Idaho Panhandle before emptying into Coeur d’Alene Lake. Its crystal-clear waters carve through steep, moss-covered canyons and broad valleys, earning it recognition as one of the world’s highest navigable rivers. Anglers prize its outstanding catch-and-release fishery for native westslope cutthroat trout, while paddlers and rafters enjoy challenging whitewater runs in spring and gentler floating stretches later in the season. Hikers, horseback riders, and campers discover countless trails and rustic sites along the banks and surrounding forests, immersing themselves in the pristine mountain scenery and abundant wildlife.