Bonners Ferry Idaho
Just four hours from Glacier National Park, North Idaho's scenic town of Bonners Ferry begs a visit. Situated on the beautiful Kootenai River, this rich valley is the self- proclaimed "Nile of the North". more info
Outdoor pursuits, including camping, boating and snowmobiling attract visitors from the US and Canada. When leaving Glacier National Park for Bonners Ferry, head towards the Sun Highway. Ultimately you are going to want to access US-2 headed west. After approximately 150 miles, a left hand turn at the intersection between US-95 and US-2 will take you Madison Street in the heart of Bonners Ferry, ID.
As 24-year-old Edwin Bonner passed through Idaho's northernmost reaches in 1834, he noted that the Kootenai River- used by miners looking to access British Columbia's goldfields-needed a ferry. Bonner successfully operated his ferry by 1864 and the name stuck. Today the legacy of Bonners Ferry continues as it attracts all-year visitors with its wealth of wildlife and endless activities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Bonners Ferry and Boundary County are known for their natural beauty with abundant alpine lakes and forested mountains. Running through the middle of the county, the Kootenai River meets rich valleys producing wheat, hops, barley and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. In addition, the rivers' annual spring floods create prime wetlands for migratory waterfowl. The Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge houses tens of thousands of waterfowl that pass through the refuge every year including mallards, northern pintails and tundra swans headed north. Birdwatchers also sight bald eagles and osprey in Bonners Ferry. Keep your eyes peeled for black bears, white- tailed deer, moose and elk. Over 230 bird species and 45 mammal species have been observed here. The 4.5-mile loop of hiking trails encircling the refuge provides an ideal way to watch Northern America's wildlife in action. Fly fishing the county's over 400,000 acres of National Forest provides plenty of land for big game hunting as well.
Hiking opportunities around the mountains of Bonners Ferry's abound with wildflowers and shady wooded trails. Trips into surrounding canyons or crests allows ample opportunity for continued wildlife sightings. For a change of pace, the nearby Moyie River provides rafters with Class II and III rapids. Bonners Ferry's many tranquil lakes and rivers are ideal for leisurely summertime canoeing and fly fishing. In the winter, cross-country skiers can find a variety of interesting routes in the northernmost reaches of Boundary County's backcountry. With miles of wilderness and groomed access trails that take you from 2,000 to 7,000 feet, downhill skiers and snowmobilers' alike will be impressed by endless opportunities to explore Boundary's backcountry as well as nearby resorts.
Located somewhere between the frontier of American exploration and Canada's backdoor, Bonners Ferry, ID proves ideal for the visitor seeking a solid mix of history, culture, adventure and some of the greatest sights North America has to offer.
Bonners Ferry, ID Weather
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