The calm river suddenly gathers momentum surging first through China Rapids and then over the falls, dropping 90 feet in less than a mile. The main falls is 30 feet high and can be viewed from the swinging bridge that crosses the river. Fun fact: Dan's crazy ass went over this in a kayak! Located 12 miles west of Libby on US Hwy 2, the falls parking area is on the north side of the highway at the 21 mile marker.
There are tons of hikes in the area, but Leigh Lake is one of our favorites. With 1,171 ft elevation gain over 1.5 miles, it is fairly challenging. You will be rewarded with a gorgeous, crystal-clear lake surrounded by the huge peaks of the Cabinet Mountains. The total 2.7-mile out-and-back hike will take approximately 3 hours to complete. Getting There: From Libby, travel south on Highway 2 for 8 miles. Turn right on Bear Creek/Hoodoo Flats Road (NF 278). Continue 3 miles, then turn right onto NF 867. Travel 4.6 miles to NF 6213. The road dead ends at the Leigh Lake trailhead after 2.3 miles.
Lake Koocanusa is a 90-mile long body of water that was formed when the Kootenay River was dammed in 1972. The reservoir sits upstream from the Libby Dam and reaches north into British Columbia, Canada. The beautiful lake offers swimming, boating, kayaking, and amazing fishing. Paddleboard, kayak, jet ski, and pontoon boat rentals are offered at the Marina.
Whether you're an experienced angler or a first-timer, the Kootenai River offers some of the best fly fishing in Montana. Plus, we happen to know a guy who knows a little something about the river. Dave, the father of the groom, has a fly shop on site and hosts many guided trips along the Kootenai. Reach out to us to arrange a trip, or ask us about fishing spots along the bank.
We've been to our share of national parks, and this is by far one of our favorites. Glaciers, alpine meadows, and spectacular lakes make this a must-see in Northwestern Montana! The park is about 1.5 hours from Kalispell and 3 hours from Libby.
Did you know the Canadian border is just an hour from the River Bend? If you continue another 45 mins into B.C., you will come to this awesome little mountain town. It is surrounded by the Canadian Rockies and offers endless adventure including hiking, mountain biking, white water rafting, and camping. This adorable town also has incredible food and an awesome brewery.
If you're looking for a slightly longer road trip, look no further than Banff and Jasper. We did a 2-week road trip all around these parks a few summers back and it was absolutely incredible. Banff is about 5 hours from the River Bend and Jasper is another 1.5 hours from Banff. Trust me when I say you will not be disappointed. If you have time to do this please reach out to us for some of our favorite places/hikes!