Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest

With nearly half of this Forest designated as Wilderness it is best known for its “wild character.”


Park Photo

Photo credit: USDA Forest Service

Welcome to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest! The 4 million acre Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest is located in North Central Idaho with its boarders stretching from Oregon on the west to Montana on the east. With nearly half the National Forest designated as Wilderness it is best known for its “wild character.” The Frank Church-River of No Return, Selway-Bitterroot, Gospel-Hump and Hells Canyon Wilderness Areas contain portions of their boundaries within Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. The remote landscapes within the National Forest range from dry, rugged canyons of the Salmon River to the moist cedar forests of the Selway drainage to the rolling uplands of the Palouse. The National Forest offers diverse recreation opportunities for visitors. Activities include hiking, camping, horse riding, cross country skiing and snowmobiling, and scenic drives are only a few opportunities existing at Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. Wildlife viewing areas provided visitors a chance to see endemic mountain quail along with big game species including elk, moose, and big horn sheep. The Selway and Salmon Rivers offer popular water activities including swimming, boating and tubing. Additional activities can include visiting the Lolo Pass Visitor Center, fly fishing at Kelly Creek, and hiking the Nee-Me-Poo National Historic Trail.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/nezperceclearwater/

Wilderness Areas/Wild & Scenic Rivers

Gospel-Hump Wilderness - Gospel-Hump Wilderness is a land of contrast with its northern section being moist and heavily forested while the southern section is dry and sparsely vegetated.

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness - Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness has rugged peaks and its connection to four national forests makes it a popular destination for people looking to spend time in the wild.

Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness - Portions of this 2.4 million acre Wilderness are located on 5 different National Forests—the Boise, Bitterroot, Nez Perce-Clearwater, Payette, and Salmon-Challis.

Hells Canyon Wilderness - Hells Canyon Wilderness straddles the border of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, split in half by the Wild and Scenic Snake River.

Clearwater River (Middle Fork) - The Middle Fork Clearwater River includes the Lochsa and Selway Rivers which are premier whitewater rivers.

Rapid River - Rapid River contains three listed fish species, chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout, and their associated critical habitat.

Invasive Species

plants insects diseases animals
subjectnumber Subject Name Scientific Name