The Best Things to Do in Northwest Montana

Eagle’s Nest B&B is located just outside of the Kootenai National Forest, one of the most beautiful places to explore in all of Montana. Many of our guests have asked us what the best things to do in Kootenai National Forest are, and this guide aims to answer those questions effectively.

The Best Hiking Trails

Hiking is always a big draw for outdoor enthusiasts, and thankfully there’s no shortage of quality hiking trails in our corner of the woods.While we’ve highlighted a few of the broadly appealing ones, there are more rigorous and more casual hikes on AllTrails.

Kootenai Falls Swinging Bridge

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 1.6 miles


This short hike is the most popular one in the entire forest. Not only will you have a good view of the Kootenai Falls, but you’ll be able to walk on the suspension bridge, which grants you an excellent view of the river. 


This is the largest waterfall in the Northwest, so if you want a more isolated hike, just ask us and we can provide some other options.

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Callahan Creek and Historic Railway Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 1.9 miles


Less of a hike and more of a walking path, Callahan Creek offers excellent views of the foliage and the canyon below. It’s shady and quiet, and is accessible to children and the elderly alike.


You can learn about the historical side of the trail, where lumber and ore were often processed in the mills.




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Photo Courtesy of thebobfactor.com

Cedar Lakes Trail

Difficulty: Hard

Distance: 13.5 miles


A fairly good backpacking trail with a gorgeous overlook onto Cedar Lake, this trail means business, but is worth the work.You can pick huckleberries on the way, hop in some of the lakes for a swim, or snap pictures of the easily-seen black bear.


Usually a backpacking trail, Cedar Lake Trail is a bit longer than your average hike, and you may prefer to turn back before you walk too far. It is an example of one of the many treks you can take when you’re staying near Kootenai National Forest.

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Hunting

If Montana is known for one thing, it has to be its hunting and wildlife. Kootenai National Forest houses tons of different fowl and beasts, and it is up to you to hunt them. 


A good hunting trip (or hike through the woods) will bring you close to whitetail deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, black bears, mountain lions, and maybe grizzly bears (though you won’t be able to hunt all of these). This isn’t even counting the sheer abundance of birds and small critters throughout the entire forest.

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Get a Montana Hunting License

Resident

General Big Game Combo w/o bear: $70

General Big Game Combo w/ bear: $85

General Deer: $16

General Elk: $20


Non-Resident

Unfortunately, the only way to get a big game hunting package is through a random computer drawing. The prices are more substantial than the resident licenses.


These are the general license prices if you’re lucky enough to get one:

General Big Game Combo: $1108

General Elk Combo: $934

General Deer Combo: $646


Hunting Regulations

Though you may have the property hunting license, you should be aware that there are many hunting regulations you need to keep as you’re out in the wild for the day.


Take a look at the various manuals depending on what you plan on hunting so you can be safe and follow state law.


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Fishing in Kootenai National Forest

Montana is renowned for its fishing spots, and in Kootenai National Forest you’re lucky to have some of the best in The Treasure State. Enjoy boat fishing in Lake Koocanusa or shore fishing in the Yaak Valley.


Not sure where any of these spots are? Don’t worry! Our fishing guide can help you find the perfect spot to sit down, open your tackle box, and breathe in the fresh air of the forest. Read our fishing guide here.

Read Our Fishing Guide →

Do you need a place to stay? Looking for a gateway to nature? Come stay at the Eagle’s Nest B&B in Troy, MT, and make it your base of operations during an adventurous vacation.