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LakeQuality

Updated July 2026

Kootenai Falls

Lincoln County County, Montana — about 90 ft, mid-height.

A series of cascades and drops on the Kootenai River near Libby, one of the largest free-flowing falls in the northwestern US and a Kootenai tribal sacred site. The trail crosses railroad tracks and includes a famous swinging suspension bridge.

Height
90 ft
Type
Cascade
Access
Short Hike
Trail
1.5 mi out-and-back
Elevation gain
170 ft
Best season
late spring to summer
Land manager
USDA Forest Service (Kootenai National Forest)
Watercourse
Kootenai River

Before you go

Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check USDA Forest Service (Kootenai National Forest) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.

Graded lakes within 25 miles

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kootenai Falls drops about 90 feet. That makes it the 231st-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 66% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.

The Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge Trail reaches it about 1.5 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 170 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate. The nearest town is Libby. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with USDA Forest Service (Kootenai National Forest) for closures and current conditions.

late spring to summer. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.

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Sources

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