Endowment Land and Recreation
While their undivided loyalty is to the Idaho Endowment Land beneficiaries, the State Board of Land Commissioners recognizes the importance of recreation to the people of Idaho. Land Board policy allows for public recreation on endowment lands provided those activities do not degrade the lands, interfere with management activities, or otherwise negatively affect the long-term financial return to beneficiaries.
Camping Information
Camping in Grizzly Country
ATTENTION: All overnight visitors (including lessees) on Idaho state endowment trust lands north of Lake Pend Oreille and Clark Fork/Pend Oreille Rivers (Idaho Game Management Unit 1) must properly store food, garbage, and other attractants out of reach of bears.
Use bear-resistant containers approved by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) whenever possible. A list of approved products can be found at IGBC Bear Resistant Products webpage.
If bear-resistant containers are not available, store attractants:
- in a locked, hard-sided vehicle, camper, or trailer, OR
- hung at least 10 feet above ground and 4 feet from climbable objects, OR
- inside a properly functioning IGBC-approved electric fence.
Proper food storage protects both people and bears. Violations may result in citations and fines. For more information, please visit the IGBC Be Bear Aware webpage.
Camping Near Livestock Handling Structures on Idaho Endowment Lands
As Idaho’s population continues to grow, demand for recreation on Idaho endowment lands is also increasing. IDL works to balance public recreation opportunities with the need to protect and support the activities that generate revenue for Idaho’s endowment beneficiaries.
In some management areas, recreational camping has interfered with livestock operations by occurring too close to livestock handling facilities and restricting their intended use.
To help prevent these conflicts and ensure livestock operations can continue safely and effectively, IDL has established a no-camping buffer of ¼ mile around livestock handling structures in applicable management blocks.
For purposes of this restriction, a livestock handling structure is any permanent, semi-permanent, or enclosed facility designed to house, shelter, feed, protect, or manage livestock or other farm animals.
This restriction applies in areas identified by IDL. Recreationists should follow all posted signs, maps, and area-specific directions and should avoid camping in locations that interfere with active livestock operations.
IDL recognizes the importance of recreational access to endowment lands and will continue working to provide recreation opportunities while ensuring that permitted land-management activities can occur without interference. Recreation on endowment lands is subject to applicable closures, restrictions, and management requirements.
For questions about camping restrictions or specific management areas, please contact your local IDL Supervisory Area Office.
Endowment Land and Recreation Opportunities
IDL is working on creating designated trail systems and restoration projects to guide recreation. Following trail signs and honoring closures protects valuable endowment land from damage, and helps ensure future public access. IDL land managers may temporarily close areas as needed to enable the effective operation of revenue generating activities and to protect the public.
Other Resources
Contact
Todd Wernex
Recreation Program Manager
(208) 334-0282
twernex@idl.idaho.gov