A Day Trip to Kootenai Falls
Hike to some of the largest free-flowing falls in the region
Every year I set a goal of seeing new places - new places close to home, throughout the region, and sometimes beyond. I've said for years that I'd really like to see more of Montana - every time we pass through in fact. In an effort to break routine and venture eastward, we took a day trip to Kootenai Falls, located between Libby and Troy, Montana. At just over two hours away from Coeur d'Alene, it was the perfect destination to spend the day.
About Kootenai Falls
Kootenai Falls is said to be one of the largest free flowing waterfalls in our region. What the falls seem lack in immediate height, they certainly make up for in power. The crystal blue water of the Kootenai River and the roaring energy from the falls is certainly a site to see. Kyle, Juneau and I met up with our friend Heather, her daughter Maddie, and their dog Finn for a short hike to the falls, and to cross the giant swinging bridge that stretches over the Kootenai River Gorge.The parking lot is easy to find, right off of Highway 2. There's a cute snack shack, restrooms and some fire pits for day use. The forested trail turned out to be less of a hike for us, and more of a leisurely stroll to the main falls. At just .8 miles, it's suitable for the whole family - although due to some rocky terrain and some stairs/bridges, I wouldn't recommend this for those with serious knee or hip conditions, or those in a wheelchair. The historical signs at the start of the trail explained that this site is a sacred location for the Kootenai Tribe - a place where tribal members can commune with the spiritual forces that give direction to the tribe and to individual members. Because of this, please take extra care when visiting, and while we should always practice Leave No Trace principles, keep in mind how important sites like this are to the people who live in the area.
The trail to the falls is well maintained and offers plenty of places to stop and few the river and amazing geology of the gorge. With so much power carving through the stone walls, it's easy to see why this place offers a deep connection to nature. In addition to the trail, the path also leads you over train tracks via a pedestrian bridge. While Finn is fortunate to be small enough to be carried up and down the grated stairs - Juneau had to conquer a mild fear of heights and some prickly footing. The bridges certainly weren't her favorite part of the trip.
Further down the river you can access the 30-foot high swinging bridge that takes you across the river. Pay attention the the signs and heed the warnings. I'm sure the bridge is perfectly safe, but it felt a bit sketchy to me and I wouldn't want to be on there when someone decides to put the weight limit to the test. Despite the shaky footing, the experience is well worth it and the views are breathtaking.