Welcome to the
Kootenai National Forest

Come and Explore...

Encompassing the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana, the Kootenai provides tremendous opportunity for exploration. With abundant recreation and a wealth of natural resources, it is truly a place to relax and enjoy your National Forests!

Summer Destinations

  • Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge

    Photo thumbnail showing suspended bridge over river

  • Ross Creek Cedars

    Photo thumbnail showing giant cedar trees up close

  • Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway

    Photo thumbnail showing Koocanusa reservoir body of water from a distance on a mountain top

  • Ten Lakes Scenic Area

    Photo thumbnail showing trees with lake in background

  • Stone Hill Rock Climbing

    Photo thumbnail showing rock cliff faces amidst trees

  • Cabinet Mountains Wilderness

    Photo thumbnail showing A-Peak mountain in the distance with greenery in the foreground

Latest Information

Spring Road Restrictions

Due to the ongoing spring weather conditions, temporary road restrictions are in effect on select roads. View our Alerts and Notices webpage.

  • Keep up with the latest on the Kootenai on our Facebook page. Click the + sign (above) to expand the section and view the Kootenai NF Facebook Feed or go directly to our Facebook page.

  • Mushroom Permits 2022

    Photo showing a closeup of a morel mushroom

    The Kootenai National Forest is expecting an excellent crop of morel mushrooms this year due to the areas effected by wildfires in 2021.

    More Information

  • Spring Prescribed Fire Projects

    Photo showing a stand of large Ponderosa Pine trees with an understory prescribed fire burn with short flame lengths.

    The Kootenai National Forest is planning to conduct spring prescribed fire projects when weather, fuel conditions, and air quality become favorable. Smoke may be visible from various places across the forest depending on the location of the burn units and weather conditions.

  • Great American Outdoors Act

    Looking out the windows of a firelookout at snow dusted peaks beyond.

    The& Great American Outdoors Act gave the USDA Forest Service new opportunities to deliver benefits to the American public through major investments in recreation infrastructure, public lands access, and land and water conservation. These investments will contribute to economic growth and job creation in rural America.

Highlights

Features

Food Storage Requirements on the Kootenai National Forest

Animal resistant food container

A food storage order signed in April, 2022 requires food storage and garbage practice across the Forest to reduce the potential for human-wildlife encounters.

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