Kootenai Creek Trail

Kootenai Creek Trail is near Stevensville, Montana, in the Bitterroot National Forest. This trail is LOOOOONG. Be intentional to avoid getting stuck in the forest in the dark; people backpack and camp in the area to break up the hike.

The trail itself is rocky and can be steep and narrow in places but definitely worth the climb. It follows a beautiful stream and leads to North Kootenai Lake.

Many turn around after the first 4 miles, where the trail begins to require more of you and the vegetation is overgrown. From that point on, you get to adventure through some stream crossings and overgrown bush. This makes navigating a little more difficult but not impossible.

If you make it past the switchbacks, there are great places to get into the creek.

You might be see bear or moose in the thickest parts of the forest so be bear aware!

Regardless of whether or not you complete the hike, it's all beautiful and absolutely worth the effort. There are wild huckleberry and raspberry plants, along with wildflowers dotting the trail.