Bonners Ferry Idaho

Bonners Ferry Idaho

Bonners Ferry Idaho

Bonners Ferry is located in the natural beauty of the Kootenai River Valley and surrounded by three forested mountain ranges and bountiful wildlife. Bonners Ferry was honored as “Idaho’s Most Friendly Community” in recent years. The International Gateway to Idaho, Bonners Ferry hosts visitors from around the world and is just a few miles south of the Canadian border.

Bonners Ferry hosts a number of historical and family friendly celebrations throughout the year including the Annual SWISH 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, held mid-July.  Find more information at SWISH.

Experience the many unique, accessible, high altitude lakes, rivers, streams, trails and back roads. Also to be enjoyed are white water rafting, rock and ice climbing or play indoors at the Kootenai River Inn and Casino. Tour the Kootenai tribe’s sturgeon fish hatchery and the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge.

Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1965 to reclaim some of the Idaho Panhandle wetlands, the 2,774 acre refuge was purchased with funds generated from Ducks Unlimited stamp sales. It is located in Boundary County surrounded by Deep Creek and the Kootenai River to the east and the Selkirk Mountains on the west. Its primary purpose being to provide resting and feeding habitat for migrating water fowl such as American Widgeons, Tundra Swans, Osprey and Bald Eagles in the spring – Northern Harries, Red-Tailed Hawks and many other forms of wild life. Over 300 species of wildlife – 22 species of fish, 7 species of amphibians, 6 species of reptiles, 45 species of mammals, and over 223 species of birds have been observed on the refuge. Download the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service brochure which lists all viewable species. The viewing route is approximately four miles, accessible by car, biking or hiking.

Open to visitors daily, office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call (208) 267-3888.