A perfect getaway for us includes a great campsite, a good hike, and a craft brewery. That's what I call a travel trifecta.
April 2022
Eureka, Montana
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| Main Street Eureka |
Campsite: Undisclosed location in Kootenai National Forest. As the campsites at Rexford Bench were still closed (even though their website said they were open) we just drove until we saw a small sign saying there was a campsite off the highway. After driving a few kilometers, another sign directed us down a steep but well maintained road to a forestry site where there was a pit toilet and four campsites along a beautiful small creek. The place was deserted so the dogs were able to roam around. It was well maintained and there was enough deadfall for a campfire. As we sat beside the stream enjoying our martinis, a young couple walked down from the other side and did some fly fishing. It was very peaceful. 5/5
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| Martinis at the deserted campsite |
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| Lake Koocanusa Brewery: Koocanusa Brewery in Eureka was closed when we went through. Typically it is open Friday to Sunday, 3-8. So we had our own martinis as we sat alone on the rocks by the stream. |
Whitefish
Campsite: Whitefish Lake State Park This state park is set along Whitefish Lake with beautiful lake and mountain views. And it is right in Whitefish. Large sites with showers and flush toilets in season. We were not in season so there was one flush toilet that was never attended to while we were there. There was also no one collecting fees. There is also a train that runs right above the campsite with at least six long trains running every night. 3.5/5
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| Whitefish Lake |
Brewery: Backslope Brewing, Columbia Falls. There are other breweries in Whitefish (notably Bonsai Brewing Project) but we really liked the brewpub in Columbia Falls, a short drive away. Their beers were decent and they served great food. Excellent covid protocols. It is a newer building and the ambiance was a bit lacking, but still had a friendly, community feel to it. 4/5
Hike: Lion Mountain Trail. Fantastic and well maintained bunch of trails all through Whitefish, all part of the Whitefish Trail network, well maintained by the nonprofit Whitefish Legacy Project. Dog friendly, lots of mountain bikes and families out for a stroll. Not particularly challenging but a nice view at the end. 3.5/5
Kalispell
Campsite: Rocky Mountain Hi. Our camping system manages three days off grid, then we need power and water. We found this commercial campsite fit our needs well. It was early season and they were just de-winterizing their sites. As we find in most U.S. campgrounds these days, there are always several semi-permanent residents who live in old Winnebagos, Nomadland-style. However, those units were off to the side and their main traffic seems to be actual campers visiting the area and travelling through to Glacier National Park. Run by a very nice young couple, the sites were relatively large for a commercial site. The bathrooms were clean, the wifi worked, and the free showers were hot. 4/5
Hike: Swift Creek. Also part of the Whitefish Trail network, this hike climbs through a logged forest to Swift Lake and returns via Swift Creek. You cannot get to the lake or the creek on the trail which is a downside. Dog friendly. Not too many people. A moderate hike. I found it kind of "meh". 3/5
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| Swift Creek |
Brewery: SunRift Brewing A tough call to decide on SunRift as our favourite considering that we really like Kalispell Brewing on the main street of Kalispell. SunRift, however, has a great setting in a funky old apple storage facility. It has that small, hidden gem feel to it. Lots of locals. Friendly staff. Excellent beers, especially the Belgian style trippel and dubbel. The food was exceptional as well. Do not miss the steak bites. 5/5
Campsite: Flathead State Park (West Shore) This large state park is set along Flathead Lake. Sites are large and private and since it was not busy, we had great lake views down the hillside. Some nice walks through the area. Pit toilets were very clean. No water due to it being early season. 4/5
Brewery: I have to go with two for today because they were unique. Ronan Cooperative in the small town of Ronan (pronouced ROWE-nan) deserves points for what they are trying to do-revitalize a dying downtown. Surrounded by boarded up shop-fronts, these guys formed a co-op with the members of their town and started a community-minded brewery. Their brewers are passionate and full of advice and information about the town and area. We were the only people there and Eric gave us his full attention. They support local artists and have a cool project where visitors can pay for a beer for a friend or first responder or a teacher on their next visit. I was surprised that teachers were up by five beers when we were there. They also host events- the next one was a fundraiser for school supplies for teachers. The beers were pretty lager-y so not too much to our liking but full points for the venue and the mission! 3.5/5
Tamarack Brewing is a family owned brewery in a large factory like setting in Lakeside, Montana. The beers were very good and they served great meals. 4/5
Hike: Flathead State Park Lots of easy well maintained trails throughout Flathead State Park. We did three easy hikes, one in each campground in the park. Next time we come this way, we will take Eric's advice and visit the mountains east of Ronan where there is off grid camping and some excellent hiking in the nearby Mission Mountains, sometimes called the American Alps. These lands are tribal lands and require a permit to visit.
Spokane, Washington
Not sure why I am mentioning this because we didn't go to a brewery in Spokane, even though there are many good ones! We went to Spokane just to hit up Trader Joes. I'm not even ashamed to say it. It also has one of our all time favourite campsites, the Riverside Bowl and Pitcher State Park. This is a gorgeous place along the river with huge sites and full amenities. Beautifully maintained and affordable and just minutes from downtown Spokane, it also has many lovely walking trails. 5/5Hike: There are miles of trails through this state park. Take any of them!
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| Bowl and Pitcher |
Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Campsite: Robinson Lake National Forest Service. This exceptional campground between Bonner's Ferry (worth a visit on its own) and the Canadian border is free in the off season. Huge sites, firewood was provided, and there was an immaculate pit toilet. One family was camped at the far end of the campground and we were at the other, right beside the beautiful small lake. One of my favourite campgrounds ever. The dogs loved the lake and the freedom. So peaceful. There was also a great walking trail that went halfway around the lake and back. 5/5
Brewery: Kootenai River Brewing, Bonner's Ferry. Located in what appears to be an old service station or shop, this funky place is clearly a community gathering spot. Live music. A great long bar overlooking the street and river beyond dominates the roomy, light filled space. Service was friendly, great ambience, and the beers were decent. 4/5
More to follow from the road!
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