The Imnaha River, including its South Fork, follows a fault line to its confluence with the Snake River. There are three special management areas withing the river corridor, each with its own specific management objectives. Private property, both inside and outside the National Forest boundary, is involved in this river corridor. The Forest Service has no regulatory authority over private lands. A diverse landscape creates a high quality natural scenery.
Manmade developments have a primitive, historic, or rustic western setting.
This lifestyle, as it is related to the river, is an extension of how the river corridor has been used for years, including use by the Nez Perce Tribe. Recreational activities include hunting, fishing, sighseeing, horseback riding, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing, and camping. Much of the river is on private property, including the bed and banks. In most cases, the recreational opportunities on private land are limited to sightseeing and photography from the County Road. Wildlife along the Imnaha includes bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, and black bear.