SURROUNDING AREA ACTIVITIES
The lush valley of the St. Joe River is the spectacular setting for the city of St. Maries. The mountains, rivers, lakes, and forests provide a scenic backdrop for the town. The St. Joe Riverfront B & B is just 2 miles outside of this friendly town which is so proud of its heritage and history that it has 12 murals throughout the downtown area showing the logging, boardwalks and steamboats of early years. Beautiful St. Maries sits in the middle of the St. Joe Valley at the confluence of the St. Joe and St. Maries rivers. The St. Joe River is the highest navigable river in the world. Delight in the variety of boating opportunities and blue ribbon trout fishing. Enjoy hunting the St. Joe National Forest, home to the third largest elk herd in North America. Explore hundreds of miles of spectacular hiking, bicycling, skiing, horseback riding, snowmobile, motorcycle or four wheeler trails.
Fishing: Featured in many fishing magazines throughout the country. The abundance of lakes and rivers provides a variety of fish including bass, trout, salmon, and pike. Catch and release fly fishing is outstanding.
Water: We have it everywhere! The St. Joe River being the highest navigable river in the world at 2145 ft. allows you can travel between 3 rivers and 7 lakes without getting out of your boat. The St. Joe River contains over 120 miles of free-flowing river which offers challenging adventure to canoers, kayakers, and rafters. All types of water can be encountered for experienced kayakers to beginning canoeist.
Hiking Trails: In and around St. Maries are miles and miles of hiking trails. Heyburn State Park is the oldest state park in the Pacific Northwest. Over 7800 diverse acres of land and water provides a variety of recreational experiences and wildlife viewing opportunities. Marble Creek Interpretive Center gives hikers a look at the early logging campus up the St. Joe River with 48 miles of trails from easy level trails to steep climbs for the experts.
"You made my stay so pleasant. Your advice for food and scenic drives was wonderful. To wake up to the river and birds chirping was amazing. Anytime I'm back in this area I will surely stop by!!" Derek Orlando, FL
Biking: Just minutes from a trial head, in the heart of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains, there lies a trail unlike any other in the Pacific Northwest. The Trail of the Coeur 'd Alenes is a rail-trail that spans 72 miles of the prettiest country that North Idaho has to offer. The newly-paved, non-motorized trail is flat, wheelchair accessible, ten feet wide, with picnic areas, benches, interpretive historic signage and rest rooms stategically located along the way. At the same time, it is wild and remote. You can rent a bike and head off into an incredible adventure crossing the historic Chatcolet Swinging Bridge. You can access this by walking, rollerblading or bike riding. See www.idahoparks.org or www.bikenorthidaho.com
Route of the Hiawatha - America's greatest adventure on a bike begins high atop the Bitterroot Peaks of the Idaho/Montana Border when you enter the massive, perfectly straight 1.7 mile Taft Tunnel, a train tunnel built in 1908! Wearing helmets with lights, you simply follow the light. When you emerge, you will follow a 15-mile historic rail trail through 9 cavernous train tunnels and across 7 sky-high trestles. You will venture past sparkling mountain creeks: deer, elk, and moose: and endless views of the towering Idaho/Montana Bitteroots. www.ridethehiawatha.com
What do St. Maries and India have in common? STAR GARNETS Emerald Creek Garnet Mine (located just 30 minutes from St. Maries) is one of the only two places in the world (besides India) where a person can dig for the infamous Star Garnet. The 12-sided dodecahedron crystals range in size from sand particles to golf balls and often have four or six-ray stars. What a unique experience.
Driving the Scenic Byways: The Lake Coeur d' Alene Scenic Byway travels an area where the lakes, mountains, and beautiful summer weather have made it one of the most famous summer playgrounds and one of the most popular destinations in the Pacific Northwest. It's also home to a variety of wildlife incuding moose, deer, elk, bear, the largest population of nesting osprey in the Western states, bald eagles and miles of pristine forests.
"Thank you for sharing your most beautiful life style. This B & B will be famous for making one feel like family and showing everyone what life is all about." Joe and Erin Paradise Valley, AZ
Winter: With thousands and thousands of groomed snowmobile trails, St. Maries is the "coolest" spot for snowmobiling. The St. Joe Snow Riders Snowmobile club has its own groomer that keeps all the trails in and around Benewah County and Shoshone County in perfect condition for snowmobilers. The 200 miles of groomed trails offers a season lasting from December through April, one of the longest seasons in North Idaho. www.visitid.org Within just hours of St. Maries, there are four major ski areas. Downhill, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing are all available too.
Hunting: The St. Joe National Forest supports the third largest elk herd in North America. This makes St. Maries very popular with big game hunters. Deer, bear, moose, cougar, mountain goat, pheasant, turkey, ducks, and geese are among many of the animals that are hunted around here.
And you actually thought you were just coming to the B & B to just relax, take a refreshing swim, float on a tube, or sunbathe along the bank. Spend part of your day in the friendly logging town of St. Maries, exploring its history, visiting one of its antique shops, local art gallery, or other stores located downtown with plenty of parking. The evenings can be a memory in the making watching some beautiful sunsets or possibly sitting around the campfire on the sandy beach at Pat's Point reflecting back on a great day. Regardless of what you chose to do, we can guarantee it will be a wonderful experience, memory making and we can help assist with your daily activities.
St. Maries Chamber of Commerce: www.stmarieschamber.org
