Explore Bonners Ferry

Use Bonn ers Ferry as a starting point for Boundary County outings, while allowing for the distance between town, the wildlife refuge and forest destinations. A museum stop or park visit can fit a shorter day; refuge walks and waterfall trips need their own access check.

Check refuge roadwork before leaving town

Access notice — researched September 8, 2026: the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reports Riverside Road construction affecting Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge through October 30. Its notice says the usual Myrtle Falls parking area and several other entrances are closed, while headquarters, restrooms and Myrtle Falls Trail remain accessible through the picnic-area parking lot. The refuge also reports the auto-tour route closed to motor vehicles during the work.

Call 208-267-3888 for the current approach before following saved directions. Do not plan the usual driving loop from an older brochure. Read the dated notice linked below for any change in access.

Choose wildlife watching or a separate forest outing

The refuge is a place for patient wildlife observation, with walking trails and no admission fee. Bring binoculars and choose an outing length that suits your children. It does not allow camping or swimming, so those activities require a different destination.

Myrtle Falls belongs to the refuge outing; Copper Falls and Brush Lake should be planned from their own trailhead or picnic-area listings rather than assumed to be next door. If you prefer to remain in town, compare the Boundary County Historical Society Museum with the park listing below, checking museum hours before making it your main stop.

Sources: 2026 refuge access notice and Kootenai Refuge visitor information.