Northern Region Site
Washington Office Site
USDA Site
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Current Conditions
Most recreation sites, forest roads, and trails are open, but work is ongoing at a few sites on the forest that were affected by heavy winter snow and spring flooding.
A list of current conditions (Last updated: 09/12/2008) for selected recreation sites, roads, and trails is available here.
Current fire information is available here.
Closing dates for our recreation sites is available here.
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Our Rich Heritage
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests contain the traces of human history dating back thousands of years. 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.
  Heritage Program
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Travel and Access Management
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests are currently developing travel and access management plans for each national forest zone under its administration. These public travel planning projects include:
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![[photo]Photo of Selkirk Crest.](selkirksm.jpg "[photo]Photo of Selkirk Crest.")
![[photo]ATV riders on a forest road.](atvs_by_roadsm.jpg "[photo]ATV riders on a forest road.")
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In 2005, the Forest Service published a new rule for providing motor vehicle access to national forests and grasslands. The final rule (PDF-220k) requires each national forest and grassland to designate those roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use. The rule itself does not designate roads or areas for motor vehicles, but provides a framework for making those decisions at the local level. The purpose of our travel and access management planning efforts is to:
- Bring the current travel plan into compliance with laws, regulations and other higher level management direction.
- Designate a reasonable route system for motorized public access and recreation travel on the zone, considering both the quantity and quality of experiences provided, in balance with forest management objectives and resource concerns; and
- Identify the types of use and restrictions associated with each designated route.
Please visit the webpages for individual travel planning projects for more information.
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Geographic Information Systems
The IPNF uses geographic information systems technology (GIS) for many purposes - from mapping fire locations to identifying where forest types occur across the landscape. Over time, we will be adding many base map layers and associated tabular data to our online GIS library so check back often to see what is new.
 Your ForestGIS
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![[Photograph]: bald eagle](eco/yourforest/wildlife/baldeagle/baldeagle.jpg)
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Wildlife on the IPNF
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests are home to over 300 wildlife species. Our wildlife program
focuses on 18 of these. Visit our Wildlife Guide to learn more about these unique birds, mammals, and amphibians!
Your ForestWildlife guide
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Wildflowers of North Idaho
Are you wondering what those delicate yellow flowers are that carpet the ground along side your favorite trail? Check out our online wildflowers brochure for pictures and information about the plants you are most likely to see on your forest excursions.
Your ForestWildflowers
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Forest Plan Revision
What is Forest Plan Revision? How can I be involved? The Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests' (KIPZ) Forest Plans are near the end of their intended 15-year life and over the next few years, the plans will be revised to reflect resource and social changes on both Forests as well as new scientific information. Public participation is essential in its success! Follow the links below to obtain current information on Forest Plan Revision process, public meetings and much more!
Forest Plan Revision
IPNF 1987 Forest Plan
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IPNF Resource Advisory Committee
Find out how local people are working to improve collaborative relationships and are providing advice and recommendations to the IPNF through the Idaho Panhandle Resource Advisory Committee.
ManagementResource Advisory Committee
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Special Projects
The Forest Service does a variety of work that goes beyond just managing trees. Take a look at some examples of our ecosystem management projects that tackle issues such as wildlife habitat, stream restoration, and fire research.
Special Projects
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News and Public Announcements
Meeting announcements, changes in office hours, road restrictions... You'll find it all in our press releases page!
 Press releases
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What is the USFS, anyway?
The Forest Service is best summarized by its mission statement, "Caring for the Land and Serving People." But like any government agency its purpose and internal workings are not so apparent to the general public. Check out this page to learn a little more about "who we are and what we do!"
 About the USFS
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What do you think?
We would like to know if there is anything you feel is missing from the site. Looking for certain information, and couldn't find it? Please tell us so that we can add that information in the future!
Make a comment
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