KOOTENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
EVENT TYPE: Hiking, auto tour, bird and animal viewing,
DISTANCE: longest trail is 2.2 miles. Auto Tour is a 4.5 mile drive with pullouts.
ELEVATION:Level 1787’ base elevation
DIFFICULTY: All routes are easy
MAPS: Stop by the refuge headquarters for a brochure and viewing guide
GPS: 48°42’25”N 116°24’54”W
DISTANCE: longest trail is 2.2 miles. Auto Tour is a 4.5 mile drive with pullouts.
ELEVATION:Level 1787’ base elevation
DIFFICULTY: All routes are easy
MAPS: Stop by the refuge headquarters for a brochure and viewing guide
GPS: 48°42’25”N 116°24’54”W
DESCRIPTION:
The Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964, and contains 2775 acres.
There are over 300 species of vertebrate animals that stop over throughout the year. Stop by the headquarters and pick up a free brochure that outlines which species are around for the time you are visiting the refuge. There are over 220 species of migratory birds. Moose, deer, elk, 0tter, and bald Eagles are regulars at the refuge.
Within the refuge are 5 hiking trails, the longest is 2.2 miles, one of which is a 1/4 mile trail to Myrtle Falls.
There are over 300 species of vertebrate animals that stop over throughout the year. Stop by the headquarters and pick up a free brochure that outlines which species are around for the time you are visiting the refuge. There are over 220 species of migratory birds. Moose, deer, elk, 0tter, and bald Eagles are regulars at the refuge.
Within the refuge are 5 hiking trails, the longest is 2.2 miles, one of which is a 1/4 mile trail to Myrtle Falls.
OPTION #1:
The Deep Creek Trail is 2.2 miles and starts on the SW corner along Riverside Road, and skirts Deep Creek, to Frontage Road 417, and back.
OPTION #2:
The Island Pond Trail starts on Frontage Road 417, and circles Island Pond for 1.5 miles.
OPTION #3:
The Myrtle Falls Trail is across from the headquarters to the west. It has its own parking area. The hike to the Myrtle Falls Overlook is only 1/4 of a mile along Myrtle Creek. A steel bridge crosses the creek as it gently ascends to the overlook. Along the way, be sure to admire Myrtle Creek. It can be followed north along Frontage Road 417 to the bridge at the north end of the headquarters, near the Auto Tour Road.
THERE IS A HAZARD HERE YOU MUST PAY ATTENTION TO. AT THE FALLS OVERLOOK IS AN UNPROTECTED VIEWING AREA. PLEASE WATCH YOUR CHILDREN CAREFULLY HERE.
THERE IS A HAZARD HERE YOU MUST PAY ATTENTION TO. AT THE FALLS OVERLOOK IS AN UNPROTECTED VIEWING AREA. PLEASE WATCH YOUR CHILDREN CAREFULLY HERE.
OPTION #4 |
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The Auto Tour starts just north of the refuge headquarters parking area. This car tour is 4.5 miles long and circles the main body of the refuge. Along the way are viewing points and restrooms. While on the east side of the tour, near the restroom, look up and west. High above the refuge is Burton Peak. An abandon USFS lookout cabin sits on the east point of the Cascade Ridge.
Please don’t hurry on this tour. The slower you go, the higher the odds of seeing wildlife, and enjoying the refuge ponds.
Please don’t hurry on this tour. The slower you go, the higher the odds of seeing wildlife, and enjoying the refuge ponds.
DIRECTIONS:
Drive thru Bonners Ferry to the old section of the city. Just before the Kootenai River Bridge, turn left onto Riverside Road, and head west for about 4.7 miles to a slow right onto Frontage Road 417. The headquarters are about .3 of a mile on your right.
HAZARDS:
AS STATED ABOVE IN OPTION#3, BE VERY CAREFUL WITH YOUR CHILDREN AT THE FALLS OVERLOOK.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Burton Peak, Myrtle Peak & Lake, Pyramid Lakes & Peak, Long Mountain Lake & Peak, Roman Nose Lakes & Peak with Upper & Lower Snow Creek Falls, ( don’t miss these falls.) They are less then 3/8 of a mile on a great trail), Trout Lake & Peak, with Big Fisher Lake beyond, 2 Mouth Lakes, and the MIghty Kootenai River.
R & P:
Jalapeños, Eichardt’s, and Mr. Sub in Sandpoint.
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
Click for Current NOAA Weather Conditions
PHOTO GALLERY
THE KOOTENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FROM THE MYRTLE LAKE ROAD
A MOOSE FROM ALONG THE AUTO TOUR DRIVE
