history | wildlife | activities

For Bear, deer, elk, moose and other big game, as well as several species of birds, be sure to visit the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, located 5 miles west of town; established in 1965 to reclaim some of the Idaho Panhandle wetlands. The 2,774 acre refuge was purchased with funds generated from Federal Duck stamp sales. Its primary purpose is to provide resting and feeding habitat for migrating water fowl using the Pacific Flyway. Open year round, a 4_ mile loop tour road, for automobiles and bicycles guide visitors to wildlife observation points. Foot trails provide access to wildlife habitats and photo blinds. In the valley to the north the Nature Conservancy's Ball Creek Ranch Preserve and The Boundary Wildlife Management Corridor provide 4,000 additional critical habitat acres for migrating waterfowl and large mammal species.