Welcome to the Kootenai National Forest
Welcome! We've transitioned our public websites to a modern web platform to better serve the public. With thousands of pages to update, some content may take longer to appear. Some old content has been archived during this process, as well.
We appreciate your patience as we work to make it easier than ever to access information and explore your national forests - both online and on the ground. Please send us an email if there is something you can't find:
About the Kootenai
Bordering Canada and nestled in the mountainous terrain of Northwest Montana the Kootenai National Forest hold impressive forests, wildlife and landscapes, including striking cliffs, spires, river canyons and the magnificent peaks of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness and Whitefish Range. Whether your interest is recreation or local history, the KNF has something for just about everyone.
Featured Destinations
Kootenai Falls & Swinging Bridge
Kootenai Falls is one of the largest free flowing waterfalls in the northwest, dropping 90 feet in less than a mile. The main falls is 30 feet high and can be viewed from a “swinging bridge” that crosses the river.
Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway
This stretch of State Highway 37 parallels Lake Koocanusa for 67 miles. The view of the lake is fantastic and there are numerous camping, picnicking, and boat access points located along the byway. Two marinas are also on the byway.
Cabinet Mountains Wilderness
Located within the heart of the Kootenai National Forest, the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness contains over 93,000 acres of beautiful, rugged, glacier-carved mountains.
Latest Information
Mushroom Picking Information
Morel mushroom season is quickly approaching here on the Kootenai National Forest. Morel mushrooms often fruit prolifically in the years after an area has been burned by wildfire, however the morel mushroom season varies depending on local weather conditions. The type of permit required to harvest mushrooms varies based on the amount to be collected so be sure to check out the Mushroom picking page for permit information.
Great American Outdoors Act
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.