Rexford Bench Campground
Rexford Bench Campground is the most highly developed campground within the Kootenai National Forest. It is a popular destination for boating, fishing and swimming on Lake Koocanusa, and hiking in the surrounding forest. Beautiful sandstone formations can be viewed not far from the campground, and osprey and eagles can often be seen fishing in the reservoir.
Natural Features: The campground is located on an arm of Lake Koocanusa in northwest Montana near the Canadian border. The 46,500-acre reservoir has over 127 miles of shoreline and is formed by 422' Libby Dam on the Kootenai River, which stretches about 90 miles and into Canada. It is a large campground, situated in a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 2,470 feet. Osprey often fish around Libby Dam at sunset, making for enjoyable viewing opportunities. Bald eagles can be seen hunting kokanee in the river and lake during the fall. A variety of wildlife also makes its home in the area.
Recreation: Fishing, boating and swimming are popular activities. Fishing derbies are held several times each year and anglers can expect a catch of kokanee salmon, whitefish and a variety of trout, among others. A variety of hiking trails begins in the campground, including a relatively short interpretive trail that loops around the campground, and the Hoodoo Trail, that leads to impressive sandstone formations that jut out from an inlet along the lake. The Hoodoos can also be seen via boat. Several paths lead from the campground to the adjacent beach, boat ramp and fish cleaning stations.
Facilities: The campground offers dozens of accessible, single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Nineteen sites are available for reservation on Recreation.gov and the rest are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A large parking area is available for boat trailers and RVs. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided, but utility hookups are not available. Campground roads and parking surfaces are paved. Their are campground hosts on-site. Rexford Bench Site Map [PDF, 394K]
Nearby Attractions: The Kootenai River, below Libby Dam, is a blue ribbon fishery. Guided tours of the dam and powerhouse are offered at the visitor center throughout the summer. Visitors also enjoy driving the 100-mile loop around the reservoir. Several trails, including some that lead to scenic waterfalls, are located along the route.
At a Glance
| Reservations: | Reservations can be made by visiting Recreation.gov |
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| Fees: |
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| Open Season: | Late April |
| Restrictions: |
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| Closest Towns: | Rexford, Montana; Eureka, Montana |
| Water: | Potable Water |
| Restroom: | Flush Toilets |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Additional fees are charged for dump station use |
General Information
Accessibility:Accessible flush toilets and sites
Directions:
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
48.88889, -115.1375
48°53'20"N, 115°8'15"W
From Eureka, travel north on Highway 93 for about a mile, then continue 6 miles on Highway 37.
Activities
Sand Play
Campground Camping
RV Camping
Lake and Pond Fishing
Lake Koocanusa is a 90 mile long reservoir held back by the 422' tall Libby Dam. Lake Koocanusa was completed in 1972 as a joint project between the United States and Canada . Alice Beers, from Rexford, Montana, combined the first three letters from KOOtenai River, and the first three letters of CANada and USA.
Lake Koocanusa is home to a variety of fish species. Sport fish include rainbow trout, west slope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, bull trout, brook trout, kokanee salmon (blueback), burbot (ling), whitefish, large scale sucker, long nose sucker, northern pike minnow, peamouth, redside shiner, yellow perch and Kamloops (a strain of rainbow trout). The lake has a maximum depth of 370 feet and an average depth of 127 feet.
The surface area of the lake is 28,723 acres and the shoreline is 127.96 miles long.
Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks web site for fishing regulations.
Visitor Programs
Interpretive programs are given throughout the summer.
| Open Season: | May-September |
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Group Picnicking
Boating - Motorized
Swimming
Highlights
- Be Bear Aware!
Montana is bear country! Learn about bears and safe practices while visiting the Kootenai - Food Storage Order
A food storage order signed in 2022 requires food storage practice across the Forest to reduce the potential for human-wildlife encounters - Know Before You Go
Regardless of the activity, always be prepared! Stay informed of current conditions and follow safe practices when enjoying your National Forests
- Leave No Trace
Visitors are asked to practice Leave No Trace principles while on the Kootenai National Forests to help maintain this abundant ecosystem and sustainable recreation.
- Weed Free Forage
It is a violation of rule (FS) and law (State of Montana) to utilize forage or mulch materials that contain the seeds of noxious weeds
Location