The Saint Joe River, often referred to as “The Joe,” is a 140-mile (225 km) tributary of Coeur d’Alene Lake in northern Idaho. It originates at an elevation of 6,487 feet (1,977 meters) in the Northern Bitterroot Range of eastern Shoshone County and flows generally west through the Saint Joe River Valley, passing through communities such as Avery and Calder. The river then continues into Benewah County and through the town of St. Maries, where it receives its largest tributary, the Saint Maries River. It eventually turns northwest, passing through Heyburn State Park before reaching its mouth just north of the Kootenai County line.
At its mouth, the Saint Joe River has an elevation of 2,129 feet (649 meters), leading to its designation as the world’s highest navigable river. For a river to be considered navigable, it must be wide enough, deep enough, and calm enough for boats to pass through. The Saint Joe River meets these criteria, allowing for various recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and whitewater rafting.
The river is home to a diverse array of fish species, including native westslope cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, cedar sculpin, and other cottids, as well as nonnative rainbow and brook trout, chinook, and kokanee salmon. The upper Saint Joe River is also home to the last self-sustaining population of vulnerable bull trout in the Coeur d’Alene Lake watershed.
In 1978, 66.3 miles (107 km) of the river were protected by the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, with 26.6 miles (43 km) designated as wild and another 39.7 miles (64 km) designated as recreational. The Saint Joe River drains 1,850 square miles (4,790 km²) of the Idaho Panhandle and is part of the Spokane River watershed, which in turn is part of the Columbia River basin.
The river’s scenic beauty and recreational opportunities make it a popular destination for visitors. Along its course, there are hiking trails and campgrounds, such as the Shadowy St. Joe Campground near the small town of St. Maries. While the river is typically calm and perfect for a relaxing float trip, there are some areas where it picks up speed, offering excellent whitewater rafting opportunities.
The Saint Joe River’s unique characteristics and its status as the highest navigable river in the world highlight its ecological significance and the diverse recreational activities it supports.
