Kootenai Falls Trails
Libby, MT
Website: https://www.libbymt.com/areaattractions/kootenaifalls.htm
Know Before You Go: The hardest part of this hike was finding the trailhead. We drove by the parking area at milepost 21 along U.S. Highway 2 and had to turn around in Troy. The hiking trail on the north side of the river is quite rugged and could be challenging for less-experienced hikers.
Length: There are several miles of trail around Kootenai Falls. We hiked around 3 miles.
Time: It depends on how long you choose to hike.
Difficulty level: Moderate, although when we took the trail on the north side of the river, it was very steep and strenuous.
Terrain: Grass, dirt and small rock. Suspension bridge. On the north side of the river, the trail has large rocks and a bit of scree.
Dog-friendly: Yes, but keep in mind there is a metal staircase that leads from the parking area down to the trail. Our dog was very skittish on this staircase, and it was also hot to the touch on the summer day we chose to visit.
Kid-friendly: Yes.
Libby, MT
Website: https://www.libbymt.com/areaattractions/kootenaifalls.htm
Know Before You Go: The hardest part of this hike was finding the trailhead. We drove by the parking area at milepost 21 along U.S. Highway 2 and had to turn around in Troy. The hiking trail on the north side of the river is quite rugged and could be challenging for less-experienced hikers.
Length: There are several miles of trail around Kootenai Falls. We hiked around 3 miles.
Time: It depends on how long you choose to hike.
Difficulty level: Moderate, although when we took the trail on the north side of the river, it was very steep and strenuous.
Terrain: Grass, dirt and small rock. Suspension bridge. On the north side of the river, the trail has large rocks and a bit of scree.
Dog-friendly: Yes, but keep in mind there is a metal staircase that leads from the parking area down to the trail. Our dog was very skittish on this staircase, and it was also hot to the touch on the summer day we chose to visit.
Kid-friendly: Yes.
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Kootenai Falls is Montana’s largest waterfall, featuring a 30-foot main waterfall that can be seen from a swinging suspension bridge that spans the Kootenai River. The turquoise waters and blue skies made for vivid colors the day we visited. The trail takes you past several rapids that are quite splendid before taking you over the river on the suspension bridge. You can see evidence of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ work to create the site decades ago.
After crossing the bridge, we chose to keep hiking up the trail a ways to an overlook that may have offered us one of the best views of the river. The hiking on the north side of the river was quite challenging, but well worth the spectacular payoff. We turned around after the overlook, but this trail continues for miles along the river. The Kootenai Indians once called the area home, and consider the falls a sacred site. It was a place where tribal members communed with spiritual forces. There is a concession service provided at the parking lot from May through September with food and souvenirs. 
THE VIEW FROM THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RIVER WAS EVEN BETTER THAN THAT FROM THE SOUTH SIDE! WELL WORTH THE ADDITIONAL HIKING.
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THE HIKING DOGGIE THOUGHT I GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE.
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