Kootenai National Forest

Rock Lake

Silverado Motel and RV Park

Rexford Bench Campground

## Overview

Rexford Bench Recreation Area is the most highly developed camp area within the Kootenai National Forest. Rexford Bench Campground has 54 sites, 35 are first come-first serve and 19 can be reserved. Kamloops Terrace has 20 sites and additional overflow parking. A high and low water boat ramp is available. A day use area with swimming beach completes this popular area. It is a popular destination for boating, fishing and swimming on Lake Koocanusa, and hiking in the surrounding forest. Beautiful sandstone formations can be viewed not far from the campground, and osprey and eagles can often be seen fishing in the reservoir.

## Recreation

Fishing, boating and swimming are popular activities. Fishing derbies are held several times each year and anglers can expect a catch of kokanee salmon, whitefish and a variety of trout, among others.   
  
  
  
A variety of hiking trails begins in the campground, including a relatively short interpretive trail that loops around the campground, and the Hoodoo Trail, that leads to impressive sandstone formations that jut out from an inlet along the lake. The Hoodoos can also be seen via boat. Several paths lead from the campground to the adjacent beach, boat ramp and overflow parking area.

## Facilities

The campground offers dozens of accessible, single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A large overflow parking area is available for boat trailers and RVs.   
  
Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided, but utility hookups are not available. Campground roads and campsite spurs are paved. A campground host is on-site.

## Natural Features

The campground is located on an arm of Lake Koocanusa in northwest Montana near the Canadian border. The 46,500-acre reservoir has over 127 miles of shoreline and is formed by 422' Libby Dam on the Kootenai River, which stretches about 90 miles and into Canada. It is a large campground, situated in a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 2,470 feet.   
  
Osprey often fish around Libby Dam at sunset, making for enjoyable viewing opportunities. Bald eagles can be seen hunting kokanee in the river and lake during the fall. A variety of wildlife also makes its home in the area. 

## Nearby Attractions

The Kootenai River, below Libby Dam, is a blue ribbon fishery. Guided tours of the dam and powerhouse are offered at the visitor center throughout the summer. Visitors also enjoy driving the 100-mile loop around the reservoir. Several trails, including some that lead to scenic waterfalls, are located along the route.

Rexford Bench

Kootenai National Forest Camp 32

The Big Therriault Lake campground is located 12.5 air miles from Fortine. The campground has 10 campsite, including one host site, with tables, fire rings and able to accomodate up to a 32' rv. Amenities include potable water, vault toilets, food storage boxes and boat ramp developed for small boats.

Big Therriault Lake Campground

Blue Mountain RV Park

## Overview

North Dickey Lake Campground is a beautiful campground next to scenic Dickey Lake and several hiking and mountain biking trails. It's conveniently located off the main highway and provides a secluded location for outdoor enjoyment. A day use area is located at South Dickey Day use area, on the opposite side of the lake.

## Recreation

The adjacent lake provides ample opportunity for boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing. Anglers can expect a catch of kokanee salmon, kamloop and rainbow trout. A grassy beach is also available at South Dickey Day Use area, a popular swimming area on the lake.  
  
  
  
A variety of hiking trails begin in the area, including the accessible, half-mile Dickey Lake Overlook Trail, which is also open to mountain biking. It leads to a viewing platform with nice views of the lake. Another trail heads from the campground to Mt. Marston.  
  
  
  
Educational programs are offered throughout the summer. A general store, with fuel and groceries, is located about 3 miles to the north and a small restaurant and coffee shop are located about 2 miles to the west of the campground.

## Facilities

The campground offers 24 sites for tent and RV camping, but only five (5) sites can be reserved. The rest are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided, but utility hookups are not available. Parking surfaces are gravel.   
  
  
  
A dump station is available just north of Eureka on Highway 93, behind a gas station.

## Natural Features

The campground is located in northwestern Montana on a hillside next to the 800-acre lake. It is nestled in a forest of larch and fir trees at an elevation of about 3,100 feet.   
  
In the spring and early summer, the sound of the loon can often be heard from the campground. 

## Nearby Attractions

The campground is 20 miles from the United States-Canadian border, and 65 miles from the entrance to Glacier National Park.

North Dickey Lake

## Overview

## Recreation

## Facilities

## Natural Features

Mt. Wam Lookout Cabin Rental

## Overview

McGuire Mountain Lookout was originally constructed in 1923 and was actively used as an observation point for detecting forest fires for over 20 years before it was abandoned around 1944. The structure was later renovated between 1983 and 1998 and is now available for rent for up to four people.   
  
McGuire Mountain is located approximately 14 miles southwest of Eureka. Access to the lookout requires a 2.5 mile hike from the parking area at Little Sutton Mountain; visitor arrival is dependent on road and weather conditions.

## Recreation

Backpacking opportunities abound in the area surrounding McGuire Mountain. Take trail #446 past the lookout and enjoy many more miles of scenic views.   
  
A day trip to Koocanusa Reservoir offers visitors the option of biking, fishing, hiking or boating around the lake. Trail #90, which starts just off of the Koocanusa Reservoir on Hwy 37, follows McGuire Creek closely for a scenic hike along the water.   
  
Because the McGuire Lookout is surrounded by windows on top of one of the area's tallest summits (almost 7,000 feet), visitors have the best views of the sunrise and sunset over the surrounding cabinet mountains.

## Facilities

The lookout is a 12 x 12 foot wood-frame cabin with a pyramidal-shaped roof. On top of the roof there is a pyramidal-shaped cupola and a wooden ladder inside the cabin leading up to it. Windows completely surround the structure, providing a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.   
  
The rustic-style cabin is not wired for electricity. The main room is equipped with a modern wood stove, 2 twin size bed boards (no mattresses), a table, a bench, a shovel, a bucket and cleaning gear. Firewood is provided, but the supply cannot be guaranteed.   
  
There is no water available at the lookout and water sources in the area are limited. There is a toilet provided outside the lookout. Guests are advised to bring plenty of their own drinking water.   
  
In addition to water, several supplies are needed to ensure a comfortable stay. Sleeping bags and pads, cooking equipment, toilet paper, lanterns, food supplies and matches are recommended.

## Natural Features

The McGuire Mountain Lookout is located in the Rexford Ranger district within the Koocanusa Area, which is primarily centered along the narrow 90-mile Koocanusa Reservoir, formed by the Libby Dam.   
  
The Koocanusa Reservoir is the major recreation attraction in the area and contains a large and stable population of Kookanee salmon, Kamloops (rainbow) trout, bull trout, West slope cutthroat trout and burbot.   
  
The Koocanusa Area is the perfect setting for year round recreational attractions, including: fishing, water sports, rock and ice climbing, and driving for pleasure, especially during the fall Western Larch color change. 

## Nearby Attractions

Two paved highways running adjacent to the reservoir and extending from Eureka to Libby have been designated by the Forest Service as a Scenic Byway.   
  
Traffic is light and views along the roadways are memorable, including glimpses of the Ural-Tweed Big Horn Sheep herd, located on the eastern side of the reservoir along Hwy 37.

Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental

## Overview

Webb Mountain Lookout is perched at 5,988 feet atop its namesake mountain in Kootenai National Forest. The lookout was built in 1959 and used as an observation point for fighting forest fires for over 40 years. The structure rests on a concrete block basement and encompasses 196 square feet.  
  
The lookout is accessible by car and the roads are well maintained; however, the last quarter mile of the access road is steep and rocky and not suited for low clearance vehicles. This rustic cabin offers a few amenities, but guests should be prepared to pack in most of their own supplies and gear.

## Recreation

The lookout is located in the Koocanusa Area, which offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Koocanusa Reservoir is the major recreation attraction in this geographic area, providing ideal settings for large watercraft and sailing.  
  
The reservoir contains a large and stable population of Kookanee salmon, rainbow trout, bull trout, West slope cutthroat trout and burbot. Big game hunting is also possible around the reservoir.  
  
The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail is accessible from Webb Mountain. It descends the mountain and crosses Lake Koocanusa Bridge, meandering along the east side of the Koocanusa Reservoir.

## Facilities

The lookout cabin is surrounded by windows on all sides and is encircled by a catwalk. It can accommodate up to 5 people on 1 twin size bed with mattress and 4 additional mattresses. Other amenities include a wood stove, table, benches and cleaning gear.  
  
An outhouse is located nearby and a campfire ring is provided at the base of the tower. Firewood is available.  
  
Water and electricity are not available. Guests need to bring their own water supply for drinking, cooking and washing.  
  
Items such as a cook stove, cooking gear, bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, towels and an ice chest are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.

## Natural Features

This lookout has many nice locations to enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery, which includes views of Koocanusa Reservoir and Mount Henry. Mountain peaks stretch out as far as the eye can see, and the surrounding area is covered in mixed evergreen forest. From this altitude, guests can enjoy beautiful sunrises and sunsets and starry skies at night.  
  
Kootenai National Forest supports populations of deer, elk, moose, grizzly and black bears, wolves and mountain lions ([bear safety](http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/safety/wildlife/bears/default.html)). A variety of smaller mammals and birds can also be found.

Webb Mtn. Lookout Rental

National Forest

We ventured up to Rock Lake campground with our 25’ RV in late September, not sure what to expect. Turns out there are only two primitive sites, fairly well separated from each other. The upper one on the left has an outhouse and several picnic tables. The lower one on the right has none of that, but has lakefront access instead. We only stayed here for a night, but it was my favorite campsite on our trip. The setting is beautiful, and while feeling remote there still is cell coverage.

Beautiful spot feels like dispersed camping

If it has been or is going to rain - I would recommend 4 wheel drive. There are only two official spots - right above the lake. One pit toilet. No running water. Regardless - it was so peaceful and quiet we stayed 3 nights. 2 other lakes are the perfect short bike ride away - long lake and timber lake.

Rock Lake

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