Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Welcome

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest occupies over 3 million acres and stretches across southeastern Idaho, from the Montana, Utah, and Wyoming borders. This Forest is also home to the Curlew National Grasslands. The National Forest Store now offers secure on-line sales through our partner, the National Forest Foundation.

Download and Print Ranger District Maps - May not be compatible with Mac computers Palisades Ranger District offers maps that you can download and print off your computer. These maps give you various trail information. Download Dubois Ranger District travel plan maps off the website and print these colored maps from your printer. Teton Basin Ranger District offers maps that you can download and print off your computer. These maps are very detailed and give you trail information. Ashton/Island Park Ranger District offers a North map and a South map that you can download and print off your computer. Montpelier Ranger District motor vehicle use maps. These maps give motorized travel regulations. Soda Springs Ranger District motor vehicle use map. These maps give motorized travel regulations. WestsideRanger District North motor vehicle use map. These maps give motorized travel regulations. WestsideRanger District South motor vehicle use map. These maps give motorized travel regulations.

Secure Rural Schools

On October 3, 2008, H.R. 1424 became Public Law (P.L.) 110-343. Section 601 in Division C of H.R. 1424 reauthorized and amended the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 as originally enacted in P.L. 106-393. More than $500 million for FY 2008 will be available to 41 states and Puerto Rico for improvements to public schools, road maintenance and stewardship projects under this act.

Current Recreation Information

The Forest began the Recreation Facility Analysis in October 2005 by editing and updating it's recreation sites database. The recreation niche for the Forest was defined as "Accessible Adventures" by compiling information and knowledge from Forest Service recreation professionals and others. A draft plan was completed, updated and refined until it was approved by Mary Wagner for the Regional Forester on October 3, 2007. The Caribou-Targhee National Forest Recreation Facility Anaylsis provides a comprehensive look a the management of rereation sites in relation to the Forest niche.

Proposal for Fee Increases and New Fees at some Recreation Sites

After reviewing all current recreation fee sites and facilities and looking at projected costs to maintain these sites, the Caribou-Targhee National Forest proposes to increase recreation fees at some of their fee sites. Click here for more information.

Look here for current campground information. You can rent our rustic cabins anytime of the year, sun, rain or snow. Enjoy your stay!

Poisonous Plants of Southeast Idaho

Many adults and children become seriously ill by consuming poisonous plants. sometimes this poisoning is accidental, and sometimes poisoning is the result of the misidentification or misuse of medicinal herbs. The Caribou-Targhee National Forest has prepared a brief field guide to the poisonous plants commonly found in Southeast Idaho. For a copy of this guide Click here.

Expanded Bear Food Storage Order Coming in 2008
Caribou-Targhee National Forest managers plan to expand the existing food storage order. The expanded order is intended to reduce adverse human-grizzly bear interactions, thereby promoting human safety and the protection of bears and other wildlife species at locations in the Targhee National Forest. 

• March 19, 2008 News Release
• Map of closure area in 1985
• Map of closure area in 2001
• Map of closure area in 2008

Smokey Canyon Mine Panels F&G Expansion Record of Decision (Forest Service)

USFS authorization is required for all off-lease operations related to mining. The USFS is required to evaluate alternatives for providing access to existing phosphate leases and issue a decision whether or not to authorize use of NFS land outside of lease boundaries and to establish terms and conditions for any Special Use Authorizations (SUA’s) for haul roads, access roads, power lines and topsoil stockpiles located outside of the phosphate lease boundaries on National Forest System Lands (NFS). To view the Record of Decision click here.

Smokey Canyon Mine Panels F&G Expansion Record of Decision (Bureau of Land Management)

The BLM is required to evaluate mining proposals and determine whether and how to authorize mining operations on the phosphate leases. This includes consideration of the alternative scenarios for operations within the lease boundaries, and decisions to modify or enlarge the existing leases to maximize the recovery of available phosphate ore. To view the Record of Decision click here.

Forest Health Alert - Western Spruce Budworm

Western spruce budworm populations are once again on the rise. Large areas of moderate to heavy defoliation of Douglas-fir have been reported across southeastern Idaho. The last outbreak ended in 1987 after defoliating millions of trees over more than 20 years.

Grizzly Bear Habitat Amendment

The forest supervisors of the six national forests within the Greater Yellowstone Area signed the Record of Decision to incorporate grizzly bear habitat standards into forest plans.

The amendment requires that habitat standards from the Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy be incorporated into long-term management of the forests. Click here for more information.

Big Hole Mountain Subsection Summer Travel Management Plan

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest has completed the Environmental Assessment for this plan and issued a Final Decision notice signed on March 17, 2008. No appeals were received and as of May 6th, the Plan is now in effect. The goal of this plan is to provide and manage trail opportunities for ATV's, motorcycles, mountain bikes and non-motorized uses that are safe, environmentally sound, affordable to manage and maintain, and responsive to public needs. Please Click here for more information.

Caribou Travel Plan
Click here to download final documents and maps.

Current Conditions:

District Office Information:

Click on the map above to make
larger, with Ranger District information.