The St. Maries River is extremely popular with fishermen and those just wanting a nice slow float down the river on a hot July day. This river flows into the St. Joe River within the city limits of St. Maries Idaho. As you drive southeast along the river on HWY 3, there are two main areas that can be used to access the river. Via river bank access only access the river via areas without signs indicating private land. See St Joe River launch info.
1. St. Maries River Boat Launch
Primitive boat launch, dock, restroom, parking lot, pond, no running water... This is the only boat launch on the St. Maries River in the town of St. Maries Idaho. The launch gravel, sand, dirt combo. Has a nice dock to fish off of. Directions: Traveling east on HWY 3 coming from the town of St. Maries Idaho after crossing the bridge and just pass Gas Station and near Windy Ln. on the opposite side of the road you will see the launch site. Maps: Interactive google map below or Visit google.com/maps type in Chatcolet Lake, Benewah County, ID. or GPS coordinates 47.307062, -116.542141
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Large gravel along lot; PATHS/TRAILS... None. Firm gravel parking lot area that leads to dock and launch; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restroom. Shade via small trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One accessible docks for fishing and mooring. One sand/gravel launch; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Mud; Terrain: Gravel and level; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of St. Maries.
Access from river bank, gravel parking area. No facilities or boat launch... This river access point is right off HWY 3 a short distance west of the HWY 3 bridge. The gravel road to this access site is next to the business of Triple X Feeds store in the town of St. Maries. Directions: To access this site turn northeast onto a gravel road right next to the bridge (west side). The gravel access into the river is fairly steep. This river access site is best suited for small dinghies, kayaks, and canoes that are light enough to be manually launched. When in the river from this site going up stream you will pass under the HWY 3 bridge and going downstream you will pass under a railroad bridge. Maps: See interactive google map below or Visit google.com/maps type in Chatcolet Lake, Benewah County, ID. or GPS coordinates 47.316334, -116.554973
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, dirt/mud parking along river inlet; PATHS/TRAILS... None; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… None. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No docks/platforms. No developed launch. Launch from bank; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Mud; Terrain: Varies; H2O/Water: Water normally clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of St. Maries.
February 19, 2014 at 2:40 PM: This is such an interesting blog. You are very knowledgeable about this subject. I will be coming back often so I can access my next lake.
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