Recreation Region: Clark Fork River Area

#646 St. Paul Lake Trailhead

This popular Cabinet Mountains Wilderness trail leads to St. Paul Lake. The trail follows the East Fork of the Bull River and offers travelers a “rain forest” feel with the abundance of moss and large diameter trees. Elephant Peak (7938’) and St. Paul Peak (7714’) tower over hikers as they approach St. Paul Lake. Two dispersed campsites are located in the lake basin and cutthroat trout can be found in the lake.

St. Paul Lake Trail #646 crosses Isabella Creek then the East Fork of the Bull River two times with the first crossing having a bridge suitable for foot travel but not stock. The Isabella Creek crossing is challenging and dangerous for much of the season. Numerous “seeps” and wet areas are found along the trail with puncheons negotiating many of these crossings.

St. Paul Lake Trail #646

Current Conditions

St. Paul Lake Trail #646 is a Trail Class 3 trail. The trail tread and corridor will be very well defined and visible. The trail is scheduled to be cleared every year. Please the contact Cabinet Ranger Station for current trail conditions.

General Information

The St. Paul Lake trail resides within the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness area. To learn more about the rules guiding activities in Wilderness please read the CMW prohibited acts or visit Wilderness.net

No motorized or mechanized equipment or vehicles.
Stock is not allowed within the St. Paul Lake Basin.
Properly possess and store all food, refuse, and other attractants pursuant to Kootenai National Forest Food Storage Order (CFR 261.58 (cc)).
Please practice Pack-in-Pack-out and Leave-No-Trace ethics.