Horse Camping Areas

• Clark Fork River Area

  The Clark Fork River Area (Cabinet Ranger District) is bordered by the Idaho line on the west and the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness on the east.  The Clark Fork River flows north and west through the District, and the Bull and Vermilion Rivers join it from the north.  Rugged peaks ranging in elevation from 6000-8700 feet overlook the valley bottom.

  Almost ½ million acres of National Forest lands offer a full range of year-round recreational opportunities.  Approximately 400 miles of trail are available to the hiker, hunter, and stock user to access various lakes and scenic viewpoints.  150 miles of these trails are open to motorized use.  The District maintains almost 400 miles of open road, and many miles of gated roads offer additional opportunities to mountain bikers, berry pickers, and hunters.

  Four developed campgrounds with boat launches provide access to the Noxon and Cabinet Gorge Reservoirs.  Fishing, canoeing, and swimming are popular in the numerous other lakes and streams.

  The District maintains two lookout towers and one cabin for rental to the public.

  Winter activities include cross country skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling.  A groomed snowmobile route is located on the south side of the Clark Fork River which accesses the popular Gem Saddle Snowmobile Shelter.

• Bull River Guard Station
• Fisher River Area

  The Fisher River Area is the watershed formed by the four forks (West, East, Silver Butte, Pleasant Valley) of the Fisher River and Wolf Creek.  The Area is dominated by intermingled ownership, with Plum Creek Timber Company being the major land owner.  This area is bordered on the east by the Flathead National Forest and the south by the Lolo National Forest.  The Fisher Area is bisected by US Highway 2 running west to east.  The Chain of Lakes consisting of more than 20 lakes is located adjacent to US 2.  These lakes offer summer camping/picnicking, fishing, and water sports.  Ice fishing is popular on the Chain of Lakes.  The Salish Mountains are located north of US 2 and the Cabinet Mountains are located south and west of US 2.  Peaks in these Ranges exceed 6500’ elevation.  Road densities are high in this Area making access quite easy.  More than 100 miles of summer use trail are open and available in this Area.  Two developed campgrounds provide facilities for camping and picnicking. The Fisher River Area is a favored destination for big game hunters in the fall.

• Oscar Miller Camping Area
• Pleasant Valley Campground
• Libby Area

  The Libby Area has the Kootenai River from Libby Dam to Troy running through the heart of it.  The Kootenai River is identified as a “blue ribbon trout stream”.  The Purcell Range is located north of the River and features numerous peaks at 6000’ elevation.  Turner Mountain Ski Area is located 22 miles north of Libby, providing 2200’ of vertical and 1000 acres of terrain for alpine skiing.  The Cabinet Mountains are located south of the River with many peaks at 7500’ elevation.  Snowshoe Peak at 8738’ is the tallest peak on the Kootenai National Forest.  The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness located in this area provides visitors with self challenge, spiritual renewal, solitude, alpine scenery, and the opportunity to view unique wildlife (grizzly bear, mountain goat, wolverine, Canadian lynx, and peregrine falcons) and wildflowers.  Over 132 species of wildflowers have been found in the Wilderness.  Access into the Wilderness is by one of many non-motorized hiking trails.  Kootenai Falls located 10 miles downstream of Libby is the last undammed falls on the Kootenai River.  Located adjacent to US Highway 2, it is the most highly viewed scenic attraction on the Forest.  Libby Dam located 17 miles upstream from Libby, forms 90 mile long Lake Koocanusa.  More than 400 miles of summer use trail are open and available in the Libby Area.  Over 60 miles of snowmobile trail and 15 miles of X-C ski are regularly groomed from December through March.  Four developed campgrounds provide facilities for camping and picnicking.  The Libby Area provides the nation’s first lookout tower available for public rental at Big Creek Baldy Mountain.

• Sheldon Mountain Trailhead
• Tobacco Area

   In the Tobacco area most campgrounds are open from May through September 30 (weather permitting). The elevation of the campgrounds and other sites range between 2100-2800 feet. Typical campsite facilities common to all sites include a parking spur, picnic table, grill and/or fire ring, tent pad and pathways. Most campgrounds have universally accessible facilities. Generally, campsite parking spurs were designed to accommodate a variety of recreation vehicles. Most spurs are back-in sites; lengths range between 30-50 feet and spur widths range between 12-24 feet.

• Horse Camp
• Yaak Area

  The Yaak area of the Kootenai National Forest offers a variety of recreation opportunities in a predominantly forested environment.  The Yaak is home to grizzly bears, wolves, elk, deer and a variety of smaller mammals and birds.  The Yaak River and its many tributaries provide habitat for cutthroat, rainbow, brook and bull trout.  There are also several lakes scattered at varying elevations for hikers and fisherman to enjoy.  Northwest Peaks Scenic Area located in the very northwest corner is a beautiful area with several hiking trails and a variety of trees and animals species.  There are 5 developed campgrounds in the Yaak - Yaak Falls, Red Top, Pete Creek, Whitetail and Caribou campgrounds.  The Yaak is rugged area with minimal services and a wide variety of recreational opportunities for those with a more adventurous attitude.  Winter brings skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoe opportunities for all experience levels.  The Forest Service has 3 lookout rentals, Yaak Mountain, Baldy Buckhorn and Garver Mountain in this area that are available seasonally. The Upper Ford Cabin located on the Yaak River is available year round for rental.

• Upper Ford Ranger Station Cabin