NATIONAL FORESTS -- The lottery drawing is coming up for summer reservations at a popular Forest Service “cabin” on the St. Joe River.

Applications for staying at the former forest service employee home at Red Ives from Memorial Day weekend through Sept. 30 must be received by Feb. 28 at the St. Joe Ranger District, Avery Office, 34 Hoyt Dr., Avery, ID 83802.

High demand prompted officials to book the facility on the upper region of the popular fishing and floating river rather than put it on the national public lands reservation system.

More than 400 applications were received for the 2010 season, but only 50 applicants were granted reservations before the open season was filled, officials said.

Red Ives Cabin lottery applications are available online.  For information, call (208) 245-4517.
 

Rental dates not booked through the lottery will be available on a “first-come” basis and posted on the cabin web site the first week of April.

Other rental opportunities on the St. Joe Ranger District include:
 

• Clarkia Bunkhouse – Reservations and info at (208) 245-2531.
• Surveyor’s Lookout – Reservations through the National Recreation Reservation System, or call (877) 444-6777.

Find details about these and other rental options on the Idaho Panhandle Natioanl Forests website.