The Kootenai NWR auto tour route is a 4.5-mile, one-way gravel road that offers a scenic route through a variety of habitats. Visitors are welcome to drive, walk, bike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski the route, making it a great option year-round.
This is the only Refuge trail where leashed dogs are allowed. In winter or during unsafe road conditions, the route is closed to vehicle traffic but remains open for non-motorized use - ideal for snowshoeing or skiing.
The road follows Myrtle Creek and passes through wetlands, cottonwood groves, and open meadows, all with sweeping views of the surrounding Selkirk Mountains. These diverse habitats offer excellent opportunities to see wildlife.
The route begins with a stretch lined by cottonwood trees, then opens to expansive wetlands on the right and Myrtle Creek on the left. Invasive reed canary grass lines the creek early on, but farther along you'll see a restored riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian area, improved through partnership with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.
About 1.8 miles in, you鈥檒l reach Cascade Pond, a hotspot for spotting moose, otters, and songbirds - especially during spring and fall migration. The trail then curves east and descends slightly, offering good views of white-tailed deer and raptors like American kestrels and northern harriers.
The horseshoe-shaped route ends at Riverside Road near the Deep Creek parking area. If you're walking, note that the endpoint is approximately 1.5 miles from the refuge headquarters.
Trail Surface: hard-packed dirt road
