Caribou National Forest

A ranger at a phosphate dump reclamation project in the national forest.

A scenic highway in the Soda Spring Ranger District of Caribou National Forest.

The forest's majestic Grand Tetons.

This national forest, administered jointly with Targhee, covers more than 1.2 million acres in Idaho and small parcels in Utah and Wyoming. The forest is named after a gold miner, Cariboo Jack, whose storytelling talent was legendary.

The Curlew National Grassland, the Lander Trail, which was a subroute of the Oregon Trail, and the nation's largest phosphate beds are located here.

The Caribou offers camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, snowmobiling, horseback and mountain biking. There are 28 developed campgrounds, 1,200 miles of hiking and backpacking trails, several cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails and a downhill ski area.

Trails are open to many different types of users, from backpackers and horseback riders to motorized users. Mountain bicycles are allowed on trails except in the Wilderness Areas.

Motorized off-road vehicles are allowed on special trails designated in the District Travel Plan Maps available from any Caribou-Targhee Forest office.

Most undeveloped areas within the forest are open to camping. There is a 16-day camping limit at most campgrounds and backcountry areas, but some campgrounds may have a shorter camping limits.