Saint Joe River, Mountain river in Northern Idaho, United States.
The Saint Joe River is a mountain river in northern Idaho that flows westward from the Bitterroot Range through forested valleys toward Coeur d'Alene Lake. The waterway winds through remote terrain with dense woodlands lining much of its course.
Native peoples relied on the river for fishing and food sources long before the arrival of European settlers in the 1800s. Miners and traders later used the waterway as a route to reach remote interior regions.
The river system maintains designation under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers program, preserving 66.3 miles of waterway for future generations.
Several free campgrounds line the river with direct access to the water and picnic areas. The best time to visit is from late spring through early fall when weather is favorable and roads are fully accessible.
The Saint Joe holds the distinction of being the world's highest navigable river, with its outlet sitting at about 2,100 feet elevation. This unusual characteristic sets it apart from most navigable waterways found in lowland areas.
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