Benewah County is located in Idaho’s Panhandle, surrounded by dense forests, scenic lakes, and small communities. St. Maries, the county seat, sits where two rivers meet and has a long history as a logging town that is gradually finding new ways to grow and reinvent itself.

The St. Joe River is a popular destination for fly fishing, while Heyburn State Park, Idaho’s oldest state park, offers camping, boating, and outdoor recreation along Lake Chatcolet. The area also has deep ties to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, whose cultural influence remains an important part of the county. Locals also take pride in Paul Bunyan Days, one of the area’s signature annual celebrations.

Much of Benewah County remains rural, with a landscape shaped by farmland, timberland, and mountains. Winters can be long and cloudy, but summers bring beautiful weather and attract tourists and second-home owners. The county has a strong independent spirit, with residents placing a high value on privacy, self-reliance, and rural living.