Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Located in north-central Idaho, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests encompass a whopping 4 million acres of land, including the ceded territory of the Nez Perce Tribe's ancestral homeland. Nearly half of the acreage is designated wilderness, offering unrivaled opportunities for outdoor exploration. Full of wonderment and adventure, a visit to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest is the perfect way to unwind and relax.

A trip to the Perce-Clearwater National Forests is the perfect outdoor getaway, notably for hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, and camping. The summer months provide premium conditions for swimming, fishing, backpacking, horseback riding, and off-roading. While hiking is our chosen way to explore the backcountry, three rivers beckon intrepid rafters—the Selway, the Lochsa, and the Salmon.

Outdoor adventures in the winter season are equally as exciting. Most of the low-altitude trails transform into idyllic snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails for you to enjoy, and high mountain passes draw adrenaline-seeking backcountry skiers and snowboarders—not to mention many OHV routes become accessible to snowmobilers!

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests is a great place to indulge in recreational interests. This remarkable swathe of wilderness boasts spellbinding scenery and epic adventure pursuits worthy of your exploration, from high snow-capped summits to dramatic canyons and everything in between.

Explore a landscape characterized by rugged canyons, soaring crests, sub-alpine forests, scenic meadows, plains, and high deserts. While the topographically diverse landscape is beautiful and worthy of your exploration, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are also steeped in history and culture. Discover old mining sites, historic logging routes, and the indigenous land of the Nez Perce Tribe.