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    Kootenai Falls

    4.8 (29 reviews)

    Kootenai Falls Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Kootenai Falls

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    Kootenai Falls
    Amy E.

    Beautiful spot and relatively easy walk down and back up from/to parking lot. Manageable with young children and nice swimmable spot on across the bridge if it's a hot day and you're looking to cool down! Definitely worth the trip!

    Crossing the bridge
    Jack G.

    This county park is more spectacular than just about any state park I've seen! The water falls are massive - and you can walk right up to them. This is a must see spot if visiting Montana. Parking lot is small but I managed to squeeze in.

    Tyler S.

    I absolutely love this entire area. You know I have to admit when I thought of Montana the only thing other than Hannah I thought about was just a hug weatfield wasteland with just a bunch of cows and not much else. I was completely ignorant in thinking that! I am a big nature lover and enjoy the outdoors. Nature is my favourite thing to be immersed in. This place has something magical about it, aside from being one of the on site shooting scenes for The Revenant staring Leonardo DiCaprio, it just has such an ancient feeling as old as time itself. One of my favourite things to do is to swim in those waters because it is so cold and so freeing! I will always recommend this place. Such good fun for the whole family or just a solo trip! It makes no difference. Thanks Montana!!!

    Eric J.

    Obviously, if you haven't been, it's a must. This place is such a sight to see. It can get super crowded, but that's expected. The views are out of this world. If you're lucky, you can see some wild people actually kayaking the Kooteani river. Not much of a hike but the views make up for it. After you get done, there's a food stand with the most amazing chili dogs and best of all... some ice cream to cool you down. It's Deff a must!

    Food kiosk and picnic tables
    Kari M.

    While driving through Libby, we took the advice of a local and stopped by the Kootenai Falla swinging bridge. There is a great kiosk with very reasonable food abs drinks. The walk to the swinging bridge is roughly 1/2 mile from the parking lot. There is no charge to walk across the bridge which is a nice plus. There are bathrooms and the trials are well marked. The swinging bridge is quite unique. Very beautiful and would recommend.

    The Entrance
    Peter M.

    An Amazing Attraction for Anyone!!! Finally, after all these years of seeing the signs on the highway, I decided to make it a point of seeing this wonder of nature. On an overcast day with on and off rain, I made my way to the falls after spending most of the morning hiking and viewing Lake Pend Orielle. I came up through the road from Clark Fork and pulled into the park's parking area. I was happy to see other cars and vehicles parked so I knew there would be people around. I made my way into the trail area and began my adventure. The first thing I came across on the trail was the tower staircase, which can be daunting for kids and the elderly, so be wary of this as it has many many stairs to climb. I then made my way to the trailhead where you have two choices, Falls or the swinging bridge. I went to the falls first and found some very spectacular views. Keep in mind that these are smaller falls so if you're thinking its anything like Niagara Falls, it's not. The falls though in the setting of a wooded gorge is worth the hike, as its a stunning area with many views of the mountains, the river and the valley. There many great vantage points in which you can take photos. Next up was the swinging bridge, which I have to say be careful when hiking here on a rainy day, as there is mud, water, rocks and it can be very slippery. Despite that, it was a very nice hike from the falls to the swinging bridge. Along the way I saw a few people hiking, I met a nice family from Montana, and I saw a family on the other side of the river camping and fishing. I am mentioning this as it is a place where families with children can visit. Once again I was met with the majesty of the area. This is a great spot for taking photos to form the river banks, and while you are on the bridge. It wasn't very windy that day, just raining a little on and off so the bridge did not really 'swing'. I spent a couple of hours in the area checking out the river and the scenery from both sides of the bridge. This is a fantastic wilderness area with great trails and great views. You could spend a couple of hours there or as I witnessed, people camp in the area as well. I was very happy that I finally made it. If you are just there to check it out, I recommended planning for a few hours at least, as there is quite a bit to see and do. One last thing, this is a wilderness area so go to the bathroom before you head out on the trails as I witnessed one panicked mother who didn't know what to do with her young child who had to go to the bathroom. Plan accordingly.

    Nick F.

    The kooky koots is a great hike because it's right off the highway and you can get a great down and back up hike down and see a lot of cool things in just 15 minutes (including the super fun suspension bridge, which seems to scare a lot of folks when deciding whether to cross is).

    Anton H.

    A relatively easy walk to some great overlook views of the Kootenay River and Kootenai Falls. The only part that might be challenging for some is a tower of about 3 flights of stairs with about 10 steps in each set. So maybe 30 stairs or so total. Definitely worth the effort. A path leads you from the parking lot down toward the river through forests of Douglas-fir, Ponderosa Pine, and Western Larch trees. Descend to a junction on the path. Right to the falls and left to the swinging bridge. Great views, easy access. There's a little concessions stand in the parking lot to refuel at or grab a souvenir.

    Shannah H.

    You'll drive right past if you aren't paying attention, but stop you should! There will be an abundance of cars but there's also plenty of parking. It's a relatively moderate trail with slight ups and downs. Watch mostly for rocks and tree roots aiming to trip you up. At the T-junction, go right to see the Kootenai Falls - smallish but powerful and beautiful. Backtrack to the junction and go left to get to a swinging bridge. It's 4 to 5 people at a time to cross, but it's fun and perfectly safe. There can be a backup on a busy day as people wait to cross both directions. We spent a total of 45 minutes here, by the time we sat in the shade and had a scoop of huckleberry ice cream to cool off.

    Megan D.

    Once across the railroad tracks you will see signs that say Kootenai Falls/ swinging bridge with an arrow to the left. Follow that direction, you will come to another split in the trail continue left to the bridge but also make sure to go right and take in the views from the other direction. So much to explore and very kid friendly hike, just use caution with kids who like to run ahead. Steep cliffs and strong currents in the water. In all it was a cool place to explore and we would definitely stop if in the area again. Bonus- Dog Friendly

    Tracy A.

    A must stop! The hike to the falls was a little long beer than I expected but well worth it! Watch your children closely, you can walk right up to the cliffs edge at the falls. The swinging bridge is opposite of the falls so expect another hike. Only 5 people across the bridge at a time so it can be a short wait to get across and another to come back. Still well worth the wait.

    Heather C.

    Love this hike so much. We make it there at least 2 times a year. There is a great little seasonal stand at the begining of the trail with hot dogs ice cream soda and more, remember it is seasonal so it's not always open. The hike is not super long or super hard but it's not maintained really well and is very rocky but my little kids have always done very well with it. There are two diffrent bridges one goes over the train tracks and my kids love to sit and wait for a train to come! The second is a swinging bridge that goes over the top of the river it is very well maintained and safe but it does swing and when it's windy it's even worse but the view from the bridge is so amazing and we'll worth the hike!

    Dawn G.

    A forest trail leads from the highway parking lot down to the Swinging Bridge - it is super cool and the river below is beautiful. Along the short trail there is one point where you have to climb several flights of stairs in order to cross the railroad tracks and if you pause above them for awhile having the train go right under you in a really cool experience. Once you cross the swinging bridge you can walk all the way down to the rushing rivers edge. Kootenai Falls was the setting for the filming of the movie, "River Wild". Worth a stop!

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    2 years ago

    We were pleasantly surprised with its beauty. We enjoyed our visit to the falls, great place for a quick hike.

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    8 years ago

    Amazing place that is a must see for anyone in the area! Wear your hiking boots and get out there to explore this great state!

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    Ask the Community - Kootenai Falls

    Review Highlights - Kootenai Falls

    Going up the path takes you to a close up view of the falls, and going down takes you to the swinging bridge.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    Fern Falls & Shadow Falls - Little Falls

    Fern Falls & Shadow Falls

    (2 reviews)

    I have renamed this favorite spot of mine Paranoia Falls. Lean closer and let me tell you the…read morestory of the time me and my sister decided to explore here... Upon researching a map of the area around Kingston Idaho I came upon some interesting waterfalls and decided to further investigate using Google. The photographs although very few were very pleasing and my interest was piqued when someone commented that there was a case behind one of the waterfalls thus the trip was born. I called up my sister and told Maggie that we were going to go on a trip to see some waterfalls so we packed our cameras and set up for this wonderful adventure. After a 50 minute drive down Route 90 we came upon Forest Road nine and proceeded to take that approximately 25 miles until we sold yet another tiny sign which we almost passed that said Shadow Falls. We proceeded up this treacherous array of mountain switchbacks so tiny that at times the tires touched the side of the cliff which was not protected by a guard rail. Clutching the dashboard with eyes wide with terror I watched her every move as we slowly climbed the steep grade and were greeted with logs across a river water was running across the logs so she had to go on it to get across and then the went skiing for about 10 feet and we landed on the other side of this treacherous muddy pass. Several heart pounding moments later we arrived at a vacant car pull off and it was beginning to get dark. A large mousse with a massive horns walked right by us and disappeared into the forest. We proceeded to walk up a path which was promised only 200 yards away and was greeted with waterfall number one the name was fern falls. We enjoyed this first waterfall thoroughly. There is a small foot bridge over it and I got to take many fabulous photographs. Then we proceeded to shadow falls which was promised to be nearby however we got maybe about 50 steps into the darkening forest and were stopped in our tracks by a low rumbling growl which seemed to be coming from all directions. Now here we were alone in the forest. The sounds of much larger mammals was present as we heard the ever growing presence of crackling underbrush and snapping forest floor twigs. It was then that we had a come to Jesus meeting about if we should continue up the hill and yes we did continue and were within eyeshot of shadow falls when all of a sudden a distinct growl not far from us came thundering from the trees and we were instantly paranoid. With no other human being inside and the sun setting unusually fast we tore off running down the hill after a failed test of the bear spray which I had a death grip on. My 250 pounds sister was so scared she blew right by me and like an Olympic runner left me in the dust the only thing I remember at that point was seeing her britches falling off of her and if you have ever dropped a pan of fresh baked bread and dropped it on the floor you will understand what I was now looking at!!!! With my heart pounding at least 180 bpm I caught up with her near the small dark parking spot and I recall slamming open the doors throwing in everything and the next thing I knew the jeep was in reverse. We were gone. Recommendation - do not go alone. Do not go in a small car with low clearance. Go early the sun sets very fast way up in that mountain. Take bear spray and possibly a baseball bat.

    A beautiful set of falls with a great setting for family pictures. Go north from Prichard for 15…read moremiles on NFD Rd 208 the on a nice dirt rd travel 4 miles to a parking area for a short hike. The pictures do not do it justice.

    Kootenai Falls - hiking - Updated May 2026

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