U.S. Forest Service - Kootenai National Forest

U.S. Forest Service - Kootenai National Forest The USDA Forest Service page is a combined effort of the National Forest Foundation and the USDA Forest Service.

General Information
Comment Policy: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/usda-comment-policy “The National Forest Foundation, chartered by Congress, engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System and administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. http://www.natio

nalforests.org/”

The Forest Service manages a system of 155 national forests, 20 national grasslands, and 222 research and experimental forests, as well as other special areas, covering more than 192 million acres of public land. The Forest Service has evolved into a 30,000 employee agency that manages the national forests for a number of multiple uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish, and wildlife. General Information
Comment Policy: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/usda-comment-policy

Per our comment policy, we will not allow and will delete comments that:

- Make personal attacks

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National Trails Day® is just around the corner on Saturday, June 6 — have you found an event near you yet?Check out loca...
06/03/2026

National Trails Day® is just around the corner on Saturday, June 6 — have you found an event near you yet?

Check out local events happening in your area, or create your own! bit.ly/trails-day

National Trails Day® is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors, connect with your community, and give back to the trails you love. Together, we can make a lasting impact!

Don’t forget to take the pledge and tag and in your trail photos and videos on Instagram on June 6 for a chance to win amazing outdoor gear prizes.

Within the last few weeks, local resources have responded to several abandon campfires and burn piles across the Kootena...
05/27/2026

Within the last few weeks, local resources have responded to several abandon campfires and burn piles across the Kootenai National Forest that could have led to larger wildfires.

Please help prevent wildfires this summer and ensure all campfires or burn piles are properly extinguished before leaving.

Three simple steps can stop abandoned or improperly extinguished campfires from starting a wildfire:
1. Drown the fire
2. Stir the ashes
3. Feel for heat before you leave

Forest Service offices will be closed today in observance of the federal holiday, but national forests and grasslands re...
05/25/2026

Forest Service offices will be closed today in observance of the federal holiday, but national forests and grasslands remain open for your enjoyment.

Stay safe, pack out what you pack in and enjoy your big backyard!

Campgrounds and boat launches across the Kootenai are ready for use, with water and garbage services available and camp ...
05/21/2026

Campgrounds and boat launches across the Kootenai are ready for use, with water and garbage services available and camp hosts in place at select sites. While there are still roads and trails affected by the winter weather events, the majority of the Kootenai’s developed campgrounds will be fully operational this summer.

Don’t forget to utilize the Forest Inaccessible Roads & Trail Viewer (linked below) to view inaccessible forest roads and trails or their cleared status.

Some of the developed campgrounds recreation sites may require an alternate route to access. Specifically, the Howard Lake Campground and the Libby Creek Gold Panning area on the Libby Ranger District need to be accessed utilizing NFS Roads #385 and #4724 (Miller Creek).

A few friendly reminders if you plan on enjoying the Kootenai National Forest:
• Always be prepared to pack it in, pack it out.
• Be Bear Aware! A food storage order is in place on the Forest
• Always be sure to check the Forest’s Alerts & Closures page for any closure orders that may be in effect for areas you plan to visit.

Please have a safe and happy Memorial Day.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.news.fs.usda.gov%2F%3Fqs%3DABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ4ODN9AA0AAAAAAEkPER6Dyzchn-o2CWfvMmkpGzfh3NtfyL4UVPIeNK6fusDQPTs4A8IToFWr7HVg-O1nJogMc7J8EZimHGmhZ_nSJ_8oo0NgIpA&data=05%7C02%7Clarona.rebo%40usda.gov%7Cf2f07b8ab2e24a46607408deb7819be2%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C1%7C0%7C639149964457358474%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IAWuerumWCK1VzDsGqeuZU0a%2F5ccGW4H4wG4s3WTI3E%3D&reserved=0

Photo: McGregor Lake Campground on the Libby Ranger District. Credit USDA Employee

Please use caution and watch for timber harvest activity if utilizing the Alexander Mountain Trail  #270 off the FDR Roa...
05/20/2026

Please use caution and watch for timber harvest activity if utilizing the Alexander Mountain Trail #270 off the FDR Road #228 on the Libby Ranger District.

A small portion of the trail passes through a section of the Fleetwood Jack Timber Sale, that has ongoing operations. The trail will remain open but please keep a safe distance from heavy equipment and ensure operators see you before trying to pass. The area will be posted with signs alerting the public to active logging operations.

View a map of the timber sale area and portion of affected trail at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/alerts/trail-advisory-alexander-mountain-trail-near-timber-harvest-activities

For more information, please contact the Libby Ranger District at 406-293-7773.

A closure order is now in effect prohibiting camping in the vicinity of the St. Paul Lake Trailhead on the Cabinet Range...
05/18/2026

A closure order is now in effect prohibiting camping in the vicinity of the St. Paul Lake Trailhead on the Cabinet Ranger District. The purpose is to protect bull trout, resource values, and public health and safety at the trailhead. The camping closure will remain in effect until July 15th, 2026, unless rescinded earlier.

Please view the full order and map for more information at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/alerts/st-paul-lake-trailhead-no-camping-closure-order
or call the Cabinet Ranger District at 406-827-3533.

Construction operations are complete on the Rexford Bench boat launch and it is now open. The boat launch was closed whi...
05/12/2026

Construction operations are complete on the Rexford Bench boat launch and it is now open. The boat launch was closed while the existing asphalt was replaced with concrete.

The low water ramp is available but due to the low level of the reservoir, please be aware of muddy conditions on the ramp. This could make launching larger boats difficult until water levels rise.

The Rexford Bench Campground, including Kamploops Terrace, is open and available for camping.

For more information, please call the Rexford/Fortine Ranger District Office at 406-296-2536.

Photo: Upgrades completed on the Rexford Bench boat ramp on the Rexford/Fortine Ranger District on May 12, 2026. Photo courtesy of USDA employee.

🌼🌿 It’s National Wildflower Week!  From mountain meadows to forest floors, wildflowers bring color, resilience and vital...
05/04/2026

🌼🌿 It’s National Wildflower Week!

From mountain meadows to forest floors, wildflowers bring color, resilience and vital habitat to public lands. These native blooms support pollinators, enrich ecosystems and remind us how vibrant healthy forests can be.

Share your favorite wildflower photos in the comments.

As we enter May, crews on the Kootenai National Forest are staying busy with prescribed fire operations. Pending necessa...
05/04/2026

As we enter May, crews on the Kootenai National Forest are staying busy with prescribed fire operations.

Pending necessary approvals and appropriate weather windows, planned operations for Monday, 5/4 include:

📍Rice Draw Drainage on the Cabinet Ranger District, with units located south east of Heron, MT. Firefighter personnel will be utilizing NFS Roads #2247 and #2248 to access the unit. Smoke will be visible in the surrounding area.

📍Miller West Fisher units on the Libby Ranger District. Crews will be utilizing NFS Road #4724, south of Libby, MT. Smoke will be visible from Hwy 2.

📍Galton Project Area on the Rexford/Eureka Ranger District. The unit is located south east of Eureka on Hwy 93. Smoke will be visible from Hwy 93, Glen Lake Road, and surrounding areas. Please use caution and watch for firefighter traffic if using the Glen Lake Road.

Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

Smoke may visible for a few days after initial ignition, as crews continue to monitor and patrol the prescribed fire units days after initial operations.

Photo: Firefighter on the Rexford/Fortine Ranger District working on prescribed fire operations. Courtesy USDA Employee

Address

31374 US Highway 2
Libby, MT
59923

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14062936211

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