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Libby Dam

17877 Highway 37

Libby, Montana 59923-7828

Libby Dam Office (406) 293-7751 

Kootenai River Levels Recording (406) 293-5577

For Visitor Information contact the Visitor Center (406) 293-5577

 

 

Libby Recreation

Photo of Fall colors at Libby DamLibby Dam & Visitor Center is a great place to visit with family and friends.

The Libby Dam Visitor Center is open daily from 9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. through the summer, contingent upon staff availability.  Tours will be daily at 10am and 4pm starting June 2nd through August in Summer of 2024. Photo ID is required for everyone over 18 years of age and children must be accompanied by and adult.  Tours are at the top of the dam only.  Please call the Libby Dam Visitor Center at 406-293-5577 for more information.

The Souse Gulch day use area near the visitor center offers playgrounds, picnic shelters, and boat ramp access to lake Koocanusa. Enjoy a picnic with a view of Lake Koocanusa, or hike the trails and take in the views from the challenging 18 hole Kooky-Noosa disc golf course.  Camping, fishing, boating and wildlife watching are popular in the recreation areas below the dam.

The visitor center is located at the top of the dam on the west side on Forest Road 228.

Due to closure of the roadway on top of the dam, visitors travelling South from the Eureka area on Hwy 37 must take a scenic detour below the dam to reach the other side, crossing the David Thompson Bridge where in 1997, the Montana state record rainbow trout, 33lbs, was caught! Watch for Bald Eagles, osprey and more in this designated watchable wildlife area before turning right onto Forest Road 228 and heading uphill 1.5 miles to the Visitor Center in Souse Gulch.

Directions from Libby: go north on Hwy 37 13.5 miles, turn left onto Forest road 228, travel 3.5 miles, then turn Right onto Souse Gulch Road.

 

 

Campgrounds

There are four primitive campgrounds at Libby Dam. There are no reservations, and there is a 14 day maximum stay.
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 Campground Locator Map
 Alexander Creek camping area.
There are two camping spots at Alexander Creek camping area, located about 1.5 miles up Forest Road 228 on the West side of the Kootenai River.  Camping spots are identified by a metal fire ring, picnic table and garbage can. There is a primitive boat launch with parking across the street next to the Vault toilet.  Please park on the gravel to ensure protection of this resource! Thanks!
 Blackwell Flats Campground
Blackwell Flats Campground has 7 sites and is located on the West side of the Kootenai River approx 3.5 miles downstream from Libby Dam. Access from Forest Road 228.  There is a boat ramp with day-use parking onsite. Please park on the gravel to preserve this resource! Thanks!
 Downriver Camping area
Downriver Camping area has two sites immediately below the David Thompson Bridge on the East side of the Kootenai River. There is one more site just above the gravel boat launching area near the wildlife ponds.  Campsites are identified by a metal fire-ring, picnic table and garbage can.  Please do not block access to the boat launching area. Thank-you!
 Dunn Creek Flats Campground
Dunn Creek Campground has 13 sites.  Campground is located on the East side of the Kootenai River approx 3 miles below Libby Dam. There is a boat ramp and launching dock with day-use parking at this area.  Recreational opportunities include a basketball hoop, a small campfire-talk amphitheater,  fishing, birdwatching and wildife-viewing.  An old railroad grade connects this area to the Downstream launching area and wildlife ponds. The railroad grade area is designated for foot-traffic only to protect the wildlife nesting area.  Stop by the Visitor Center in Souse Gulch to learn more about watchable wildlife opportunities at Libby Dam!