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There are seven areas that offer more than 23 miles of intermittently groomed or groomed cross-country ski trails. No attempt is being made, however, to identify all possible Cross country ski areas. Cross country skiers are free to go anywhere they choose on the National Forests.
The following area cross country ski club partners with the Kootenai National Forest for trail grooming and maintenance of the South Flower Creek Cross Country Ski trail. Check their website for the latest information on trail conditions and events.
Recreational opportunities abound in the Bull Lake area from camping and boating on Bull Lake to Wilderness hikes in the Cabinet Mountains. There are several fully developed campgrounds with full service and campground hosts. The beautiful Ross Creek Cedars area with interpretive trail and picnicking is a popular destination. There are hiking and horseback trails, dispersed camping and lots of opportunities for a variety of activities. The scenery is spectacular along the Bull River Road and the area is home to bears, deer, elk, small mammals and birds. Recreation is year round in the area with snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing in the winter. The landscape in the area is very diverse from low elevation timber and lakes to the outstanding peaks in the Cabinet Mountains and Scotchman Peak 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.
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.
