Location: Thompson Falls is situated at the junction of Highway 200 (the “back road” to Glacier National Park via State Highway 56) and scenic State Highway 471, linking it to Interstate 90 via Kingston, ID.
Thompson Falls has the warmest climate in the state, allowing visitors to enjoy outdoor activities year round. With Lolo National Forest to the west and Kootenai National Forest to the east, the community is cradled by the majestic Cabinet and Coeur D’Alene mountain ranges. Surrounding public lands with a thousand miles of trails and logging roads offer abundant opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, hunting, snowshoeing, horseback riding, ATVing, alpine lake fishing and camping.
Local wildlife includes moose, elk, black and brown bear, wolves, mule and whitetail deer, mountain lions, big horn sheep, wild turkeys, a variety of birds and other animals. The Koo Koo Stint Big Horn Sheep viewing area is located five minutes east of town. Large groups of big horn sheep can be seen year around, but mainly during fall and winter months.
The Old Jail Museum is open from Mother’s Day through Labor Day. History buffs will appreciate the museum’s annual themed exhibits that celebrate the community’s past and the people who added character to the fabric of its history.
The construction of Thompson Falls Dam on the Clark Fork River in 1911 created a popular reservoir. Launch your boat, fish or swim off the dock at Goose Landing Park. The recent addition of a fish ladder allows visitors to witness endangered Bull Trout as they make their difficult journey up-stream to spawn. The fish ladder is located on PPL Island Park, a block from the recently renovated 1948 Falls Motel. The scenic park is accessed via the Gallatin Street Bridge. The newly renovated historic High Bridge, off Cherry Creek Road, connects Island Park to the other side of the river. Motorized traffic is not permitted on the bridges.
River's Bend Golf Course offers a nine-hole community course on the Clark Fork River. Enjoy current movies at the renovated historic Rex Movie Theater. Main Street has several antique, gift and craft stores. This vibrant community is host to a variety of events including vintage car shows, quilt shows, foot races, craft shows and bazaars, Christmas on Main Street and the Saturday Community Market offering local produce, baked goods, live music, arts and crafts.
In 1910, an unparalleled firestorm swept through this area, destroying three million acres with the deafening noise of tremendous explosions, crackling fire and 70 mph winds. Sanders County has honored the heroes of the “Big Blowup.”
The Ninemile Pack trains are known for their ability to haul anything anywhere. In any given year, they might haul bedsprings, culvert, dynamite, gravel, lumber and cement. The Remount Depot at Nine Mile has provided pack trains for fire fighting and project work across the Northern Rockies. Today it is home to the Forest Service’s Region One pack train of mules which lends a helping hand to other National Forests, and represents the Forest Service at the State Centennial and other events throughout the region.
