The Kaniksu National Forest (pronounced "Kuh-NICK-su") is a U.S. National Forest located in northeastern Washington, the Idaho Panhandle, and northwestern Montana. It is one of three forests that are aggregated into the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, along with the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and St. Joe National Forest. Kaniksu National Forest has a total area of . About 55.7% is in Idaho, 27.9% in Montana, and 16.4% in Washington. The name Kaniksu is from a Kalispel Indian word which means "black robe." It was used to refer to the Jesuit missionaries who brought their faith to North Idaho and Eastern Washington. History Kaniksu National Forest was established on July 1, 1908, from a portion of Priest River National Forest. On September 30, 1933, a portion of Pend Oreille National Forest was added, and on July 1, 1954, part of Cabinet National Forest was added. Kaniksu was administratively combined with Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe National Forests on July 1, 1973. The forest headquarters are located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. There are local ranger district offices located in Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake, and Sandpoint (all in Idaho). A portion of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness lies within Kaniksu National Forest; however, most of it lies within neighboring Colville National Forest, to the west. Also, a portion (47%) of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness lies within Kaniksu, with most of it (53%) lying within Kootenai National Forest to its north. Counties In descending order of land area Boundary County, Idaho Sanders County, Montana Bonner County, Idaho Pend Oreille County, Washington Lincoln County, Montana Stevens County, Washington Kootenai County, Idaho See also List of forests in Montana References External links US Forest Service - Idaho Panhandle National Forests National Forests of Idaho National Forests of Montana National Forests of Washington (state) National Forests of the Rocky Mountains Protected areas established in 1908 Protected areas of Pend Oreille County, Washington Protected areas of Stevens County, Washington Protected areas of Boundary County, Idaho Protected areas of Sanders County, Montana Protected areas of Lincoln County, Montana Protected areas of Kootenai County, Idaho Idaho Panhandle National Forest 1908 establishments in Montana 1908 establishments in Idaho 1908 establishments in Washington (state)