When you feel like being swept away by Idaho’s beauty, a visit to one of our wildlife refuges never disappoints. The Gem State is home to six spectacular national wildlife refuges, but there’s only one in North Idaho: Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. Consisting of 2,774 acres of marshes, meadows, forests, and tree-lined ponds, a visit to this oasis near Bonners Ferry is a must for any nature lover. Just be sure to carve out enough time to see it all, because you don’t want to miss a single inch of this breathtaking destination!
Located right at the foot of the Selkirk Mountains and just five miles from the town of Bonners Ferry, Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is a fantastic place to explore when you're itching to be in nature. Just be sure you have plenty of time to see everything it has to offer!
The 2,774-acre refuge consists of a diverse variety of habitats, ranging from idyllic wetlands to rugged forests. Established as a national wildlife refuge in 1964, the area is home to more than 220 species of birds, 45 species of mammals, and 22 species of fish.
The diversity of scenery and wildlife means that you'll need at least a full day, or preferably an entire weekend, to really soak it all in! Fishing, hiking, sport hunting, wildlife viewing, and photography are all popular visitor activities at Kootenai NWR.
The refuge is home to four designated hiking trails that are open to the public from sunrise to sunset. The Myrtle Falls Trail is particularly popular as it is easily accessible and provides an outstanding view of a cascading waterfall.
Waterfowl are especially prominent at Kootenai NWR, and the area is home to about 800 acres of wetlands. The different marshes and ponds make for a magnificent sight surrounded by North Idaho's iconic forested landscape.
Thanks to the Auto Tour Road that winds around a good portion of the refuge, you can even enjoy the beauty without ever leaving your car. It's closed to vehicles during the winter but remains open for snowshoers and cross-country skiers.
With so much natural scenery packed into one place, you'll find that there's always something to be explored at Kootenai NWR. We recommend making sure you have plenty of time to absorb this gorgeous destination, but really, you'll be left in awe no matter what. Learn more about the refuge here.
