Scenic Stops along US 2 (MT-ID border)

by OurTimeToExplore · Published October 25, 2025 · Updated October 23, 2025

Traveling from Montana to Idaho along US 2 offers several scenic places to stop and explore nature’s wonders. We found lakes, waterfall, and small towns worth exploring.

Logan State Park

This small park between US 2 and Middle Thompson Lake is our lunch stop on the way to our next destination. The park consists of a campground, boat ramp on the SE side of the park, and a floating boat dock on the NW side. The lake is beautiful, the park surprisingly peaceful, and there are plenty of people out enjoying the water on kayaks, in canoes, and on rafts.

Below are panoramas from the boat ramp and floating boat dock, with Bowers Peak as the center point, to give an idea of what the full lake looks like.

The view southeast from the floating boat dock toward the campground and day use parking shows just how clear this water is.

Kootenai Falls

One of the largest free flowing falls in the northwest, this waterfall drops 90 feet in less than a mile with the main fall dropping ~30 feet. The trail to get here requires being able to walk on uneven ground, cross a bridge above active railroad tracks, and traverse several flights of stairs (leading from the bridge over the tracks to the ground below).

Overlook

Just past the parking area is a small overlook where we can see part of these incredible falls. It’s not a very good view even zoomed like below. But if you’re afraid of heights, can’t handle stairs, or are unable to walk on uneven terrain, then it’s better than nothing.

Walking on top of Trains

Unfortunately, we took a wrong turn on the path and just missed walking over the bridge when the train was passing underneath.

Train tracks from the middle of the second bridge

After heading down the stairs on the other side, we begin heading up the trail to the waterfall.

Before the Falls

Side view of the river leading into the falls

Getting ready to climb down and explore the falls

Exploring the Waterfall

At the falls – you can see the mist produced by the crashing water in the air

As usual, if you want to experience these falls follow this link to our YouTube page.

Looking back to the main trail and what we need to cross to get there

Once we reach the main trail, we head west and catch this view up the river from the rapids below the falls.

What an incredible experience! Next we head further west, to traverse the suspension bridge across the Kootenai River.

On the way, we see a few more small drops.

Suspension Bridge

The bridge is ~220 feet long and doesn’t swing as much as we thought it would because the forest service has added guide wires on either end to help reduce the sway.

First look at suspension bridge
Zoomed view of suspension bridge
Looking along the suspension bridge
View down the Kootenai River from the bridge
Looking up the river from the middle of the bridge
Walking across the bridge (looking back at the main trail)

Hidden Fall Overlook

Just beyond the suspension bridge is an overlook where we can see a hidden fall only visible from this vantage point. If you go further down the trail, it leads down to a small beach next to the river where several families are enjoying the water.

Looking up the Kootenai River to hidden fall
Zoomed view

Troy, Montana

This small city nestled on the bank of the Kootenai River, in the northwest corner of the state, is known for being the lowest point in Montana at 1,892 feet of elevation. For being such a small city it offers many outdoor recreation opportunities with easy access to waterfalls, wilderness areas, fishing, and hiking. It also has a small museum offering a history of the area and this lovely caboose outside.

Kootenai River Campground

A deviation of our usual dry camping, we opt for a full hookup RV park for this stop. Given the low elevation here, we need to run the AC longer than our battery/solar system is capable of. It’s a really nice, well run park, and the people running it are very knowledgeable about the area.

Sitting area with personality
Trail to the river
SE down Kootenai River
Bridge over Kootenai River
SW up Kootenai River

Bike ride

Based on our hosts recommendation, we take the bikes out the back of their property to River Road; which takes us up to Alvord Lake and then to Troy. We travel along forest roads, high up into the hills; which provides incredible views down into the valley below.

River Road
1st valley view
2nd valley view
View down the valley toward Troy, MT
Osprey nest on top of pole along River Road
Osprey on nest
Osprey
Looking across the Kootenai River
Looking down Kootenai River from Roosevelt Bridge

Alvord Lake

This natural lake, deep in the Kootenai National Forest is a sight to behold. It’s very quiet with a walking trail around the entire lake.

Troy Historical Landmarks

Historic Troy Jail – Built in 1924, this 20 x 40 foot jail served the community in two ways. First as you’d imagine a jail would, and second as a dividing line between the red light district and the respectable portions of town.

Theodore Roosevelt Bridge – Built in 1912, this historic “Parker Through-truss Steel” bridge is the only one of it’s kind still standing in the state, earning it’s place on the National Register of Historical Places.

Wildlife

On this stretch of road we see wild turkeys, coyotes, and deer. So much so that we have to make sure we both have our eyes constantly scanning the road.

Yaak Waterfall

Six miles up Yaak River Road, we find a roadside pullout that overlooks Yaak Waterfall. You can stay at the overlook, or like us head down one of the short trails to see other portions of the waterfall downriver.