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North
Idaho and Sandpoint Area Waterfalls
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Things to Do & Places to See
Hellroaring Creek Falls
is fed by
Hellroaring
Creek in Bonner County, ID
Located in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest’s Sandpoint Ranger District,
Hellroaring Creek Falls are found off US Highway 2/95 near Colburn, ID, but
are remote and inaccessible to visitors.
Hunt Creek Falls
is fed by Hunt Creek in Bonner County, ID
One of our true rustic treasures, the contrasts of the falls and
surroundings are what artists move to North Idaho for. While Priest Lake is
among the nation’s most beautiful lakes, Hunt Creek Falls is one of Priest
Lake’s most beautiful features. With giant black granite, moss-covered
boulders striking counterpoint to the white waters and ferns and tall
cedars, this is a true gem of a swim area, or just to hike to, with the
reward being the falls at the end. Towards the top of the falls the water
gushes over rocks into a pool, splitting then over a boulder in a second
falls, and split around another giant boulder. From below, a clear ‘Y’ form
is seen, coming together in a cauldron of a pool below. The falls gain force
through a rock chute that finally make a fire hose spurt at the end. All in
all, really entertaining.
Hunt Creek Falls is a short drive and hike off the East Lakeshore Road
approximately 4 miles north of Coolin. From Coolin, travel on the Cavanaugh
Bay/East Lakeshore Road to Forest Road #23 (Just prior to Mile Post 4 and
immediately south of the Hunt Creek bridge). Turn right onto Road #23 and
travel .2 miles uphill to an unmarked intersection (IDL Endowment Lands sign
is located at the intersection). Turn left onto the unimproved forest road.
Proceed on this road for approximately .15 miles to an open area in the
forest. Park in this area and hike the 500 yards down the same road to the
falls. An alternative to parking in this area is to continue on the
unimproved forest road towards the falls until the road narrows to a point
where your vehicle cannot proceed. However, if other vehicles are in the
area where the road narrows, it will be very difficult to turn around.
Jeru Creek Falls
is fed by the Pack River in Bonner County, ID
Remember that this is private property. The falls drop 100-150 feet
providing an awesome view. Turning northwest at Samuels off US Highway 2/95,
merge onto Pack River Road and proceed 9 miles to Jeru Creek’s north side
where an unmarked parking area is located.
Johnson Creek Falls
is fed by Johnson Creek in Bonner County, ID
Situated within the Sandpoint Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle
National Forest, Johnson Creek Falls is near Lake Pend Oreille at Clark
Fork, ID on US Highway 200. An unmarked road passing near the falls in
Bonner County is shown on topographic maps.
Lion Creek
Falls
is fed by Lion Creek in Bonner County
There are many campgrounds and hiking opportunities in and around Upper and
Lower Priest Lake. This is one of the most popular recreation areas on the
east side of Priest Lake with natural water slides the locals call ‘Slippery
Rocks.’ The colossal slices of granite form a natural architecture of
slides, pools, and falls. The picnic area provides the perfect amphitheater
to view the antics of children and people at play, but don’t expect great
crowds. Sure, there are often plenty of people, but just as often,
tranquility rules. Spring finds the water too high and cold to be played in,
but with summer, there are plenty of swimming spots. Now, from the nickname
comes the tale of caution. Slipping and falling on granite can be dangerous,
so use care when there.
To go drivel north from Coolin on Cavanaugh Bay/East Lakeshore Road until
you cross Lion Creek Bridge, just south of the Lionhead State Park
campground entrance. After crossing the bridge, turn right on State Forest
Road #42. Follow the road to where the culverts have been removed. Park in
this area and hike up the same road for about two miles to an old parking
area. From there, cross a small stream (Kent Creek) and follow the south
side of the stream about 200 yards to the water slides area on Lion Creek.
Lion Creek and Kent Creek intersect at a 'Y' just above the old parking
area.
The two-mile hike will get you to the best area of Slippery Rocks. However,
you may observe other areas along the hiking route where Lion Creek flows
over granite slabs. Any of these sites are also good recreation areas if you
elect not to hike the entire two miles.
McAbee Falls
is
fed by the Lower Priest
River in Bonner County, ID
McAbee Falls is also in the Priest Lake Ranger District, and visitors have
minimal access as few directions to the falls exist. Viewing of topographic
maps, however, suggests that a bridge crosses Priest River near the falls.
Mission Falls
is fed by the
West Branch
Priest River in Bonner County, ID
Take Scenic Route 57 8.5 miles north of Priest River, ID to find the falls
on the west side of the road. You first go to Torrelle Falls, then continue
north to locate Mission Falls. The falls drop 5 to 10 feet along the Upper
West Branch Priest River in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, Priest Lake
Ranger District. For close-up access, park across the river on the northeast
side of the bridge and using a jeep trail, walk for 0.2 mile to a road
junction. After taking a right fork at this junction, continue down the path
for 1.5 miles more, turning right at all following junctions. As you
approach the river, follow the well-used trail a few hundred yards to the
falls.
Moyie Falls
is fed by the Moyie River in Boundary, County
The scene is awesome, and easy to get to. In a rocky canyon, the Moyie River
crashes in tiers and steps of granite, plummeting 60-100 feet on the upper
fall under an old bridge that connects the gorge, then another 20-40 feet
down the lower falls. Take US Highway 2, exiting just west of the Moyie
River Bridge at Moyie Springs; drive another 1/2 mile until turning left on
a residential road flanking a lumberyard; continue on this street for 1/2
mile where you will find numerous parking pullouts providing picture-perfect
views of the falls.
Myrtle Creek
Falls
is fed by Myrtle Creek in Boundary, County
This great cascade has exposed the
native brown
quartzites forming a beautifully color filled sprite. There are actually two
trails, with the end having an observation point halfway up the falls
proffering a wonderful view.
Drive west on Riverside Road from US Highway 2/95 in Bonners Ferry; this
road parallels the south shore of the Kootenai River, and once it leaves
Bonners Ferry it turns into County Road #18; drive another 5 miles past the
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge; the road makes a sharp left bend and in
about 2 miles the Wildlife Refuge office comes into view; locate the Myrtle
Creek Falls trailhead across from the Refuge office on Auto Trail Road
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