Sandpoint, ID

On Saturday we decided to visit Copper Creek Falls, just this side of the Canadian Border. We were pleasantly surprised when the hike turned out to be very easy and the falls beautiful. The Falls is not just some little stream with a little tiny waterfall, this was the real deal. While you can’t hike to the very top of the falls, there is a lower trail that takes you to the river that the water dumps into, and a higher trail that takes you to a bridge and a great view of the falls. The river that the lower trail leads to was running really fast (so fast I wouldn’t let my 6 year old boy near it), but there was a bench nearby, so we were able to take a load off and enjoy the scenery in comfort.

Prepare to get wet on the overlook that the upper trail leads to because it is very close to the falls. Because the day was fairly hot, getting wet at the end of the hike was wonderful (my favorite part of the day!) The hike itself is very easy, under 1 mile round trip, and very little up hill. It’s not wheel chair accessible, (small strollers would work, or a baby backpack) but just about anyone would be able to take the walk. Not being much of a hiker, I was incredibly happy that is was so easy and I got such a great view with no work involved. The little picnic area at the trailhead made for a perfect spot for lunch before going on the hike. I could hear the waterfall clearly (that was exciting to know that it was so near). The picnic area is not shaded, which made me regret forgetting the sun block. There was a single restroom (vault toilet), clean thankfully.

There is also a campground (fairly small, but beautiful) just down the road, so the trip could be made into a weekend very easily. That is my next plan, to spend the night listening to the water. To get there you take highway 95 past Bonners Ferry, towards the Eastport port of entry on the Canadian Border. Turn right on Copper Creek Road (it’s just over a bridge, past Robinson Lake, road # 2517). Follow the dirt road about 2 miles, and park next to the restroom and picnic area. The trail head is on the left hand side of the road, the picnic area is on the right hand side. It wasn’t crowded at all; we had the trail and the roar of the waterfall all to ourselves. Bring plenty of water, as there is no water fountain.