Best Waterfalls in North Idaho Near Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, and Priest Lake
Explore the best waterfalls near Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, and Priest Lake, including easy hikes, scenic forest trails, and local tips for planning a North Idaho waterfall trio.
North Idaho is not the kind of place where waterfalls usually announce themselves with big parking lots, paved viewing platforms, and a line of people waiting for the same photo. Most of the waterfalls here ask a little more of you. A gravel road. A short walk through thick forest. A drive that takes longer than the hike itself.
North Idaho has plenty of waterfalls hidden deep in the backcountry, in places that are harder to reach and, in many cases, better left that way. Some pockets of this region still feel mostly untouched, and part of their beauty is that they haven’t been turned into destinations.
The waterfalls in this guide are different. Most are relatively easy to reach, which makes them good choices if you want a beautiful North Idaho waterfall experience without needing a rugged backcountry adventure.
I’ve visited these waterfalls over the years with my family, usually with a camera in hand, snacks in the car, and a loose plan that changes with the weather and road conditions.
If you’re planning a trip to North Idaho and want to see waterfalls near Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, or Priest Lake, these are the ones I’d put at the top of the list.
1. Myrtle Falls near Bonners Ferry
If I were sending someone to one waterfall in North Idaho that delivers the most beauty for the least amount of effort, I’d send them to Myrtle Falls.
Myrtle Falls sits inside Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge near Bonners Ferry, which already makes it feel like more than a quick waterfall stop. The refuge is a beautiful place in its own right, and it’s easy to add more to your day while you’re there. You can walk another trail, look for wildlife, or bike the Auto Tour.
The hike to Myrtle Falls is .9 miles out and back, making it short and doable for most visitors. The trail crosses Myrtle Creek before narrowing into a dirt trail that zigzags toward the overlook.
The trail leads to a lookout where the waterfall drops through a steep, rocky gorge, framed by forest and shadow. At around 100 feet, it feels dramatic without requiring much effort to reach.
This is one of the easiest waterfalls to recommend for families. The hike is short, there is plenty of parking, and bathrooms are available near the visitor center. That said, the overlook has steep drop-offs, so younger kids need to stay close.
Best for: first-time visitors, families, photographers, easy waterfall seekers
Nearest town: Bonners Ferry
My take: the best all-around waterfall experience near Bonners Ferry
Parking: Big parking lot with space for plenty of cars
Bathroom: Located at the Visitors Center across from the trailhead
2. Snow Creek Falls near Bonners Ferry
Snow Creek Falls feels a little more tucked away than Myrtle Falls, and that’s part of its appeal. If Myrtle is the easy, polished choice, Snow Creek feels more like a small forest adventure.
It’s only about a 15-minute drive from Myrtle Falls, so the two are easy to pair in one day. That’s how I’d recommend doing it if you’re already making the trip to Bonners Ferry.
The Upper Falls is the more dramatic viewpoint, and if the temperatures are right, not too cold and not too much water rushing through, you can even wade in the small pool below. As with all recommendations we make, use your best judgment. Waterfalls change with the season, and what feels safe one month may not feel that way another.
I personally prefer Snow Creek Falls because it has more of that classic waterfall feeling. The trail, the forest, the sound of the water, and the remote setting all work together. It feels like you’ve stepped a little farther away from the everyday world, even though the hike itself is short.
Best for: a short forest hike, families, pairing with Myrtle Falls
Nearest town: Bonners Ferry
My take: one of the prettiest and most satisfying short waterfall hikes in North Idaho
Parking: Parking along the side of the road
Bathroom: None
3. Granite Falls near Priest Lake
Granite Falls is one of the most atmospheric waterfall stops in North Idaho because it’s tied to the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars. The grove houses otherworldly cedar trees that date back 3000 years. If you’re a tree hugger and a waterfall chaser, this is the place for you.
The main trail in the grove is a 1-mile popsicle trail, with a short spur leading to Lower Granite Falls. The lower viewing area is dramatic and wet, with water pushing through the rocks at an angle. All waterfalls are strongest and most beautiful in late spring, but Granite Falls is the one I especially like seeing when it’s full. The sideways rush of water is part of what makes it a unique waterfall.
The upper falls are viewed from a wooden platform, offering a great bird’s-eye view.
Because of its remote location, I think Granite Falls works best as part of a bigger trip to Priest Lake. Priest Lake is one of my favorite places in Idaho and is well worth a long weekend. I wouldn’t necessarily drive all the way from Sandpoint just for the waterfall unless I was either a serious waterfall lover or already in the mood for a long forest-road kind of day.
FYI: After a heavy snow or rain season, the road to the grove can get rutted out and quite bumpy. We managed in a sedan, but a high-clearance vehicle is ideal.
Best for: old-growth forest, hot summer days, Priest Lake itineraries, families
Nearest area: Nordman / Priest Lake
My take: the best waterfall if you want the whole North Idaho forest experience
Parking: Space for several cars
Bathroom: Yes
4. Grouse Creek Falls near Sandpoint
Grouse Creek Falls is the closest waterfall on this list to Sandpoint, which gives it an obvious advantage. If you’re staying in Sandpoint and don’t want to commit to a full day of driving, this is the waterfall I’d look at first.
It’s not the most dramatic waterfall in northern Idaho. In truth it’s more of a series of small cascades, but the scenery is spectacular, and the water color is a blazing aquamarine on a sunny day.
It’s also the one I’d describe with the most caution, not because it’s dangerous, but because it can feel less straightforward than some of the others. The trail is a little over one mile out and back, but the trail can be narrow, rocky, and slippery depending on conditions.
There’s also a point near the end where the trail splits. Staying to the right keeps you along the water and is better suited for younger kids. The other route climbs a steep hill that gives a higher lookout point above the falls
Closer to the start of the hike, there are also spots where you can sit along the pebbly shore and enjoy the creek. A great option for families.
Best for: visitors staying in Sandpoint, a shorter outing, local-feeling adventure
Nearest town: Sandpoint
My take: beautiful, but better for people comfortable on uneven trails
Parking: Yes, small gravel lot
Bathroom: Yes
5. Char Falls near Sandpoint and the Pend Oreille Scenic Byway
Char Falls is one of those waterfalls that feels less about the hike and more about the journey. It’s an easy hike at 1.2 miles out and back, but it does require a 16-mile drive on a gravel road to a fairly isolated trail in the Cabinet Mountains.
This is classic North Idaho: forest roads, mountain creeks, spotty service, and the sense that you’re leaving the more obvious version of the region behind. For some, that’s the whole appeal. For others, especially if you’re short on time or not comfortable navigating rural roads, it may feel like a lot of effort for one stop.
The hike leads to an upper viewing point, but the better view is from below, which requires scrambling down a steep stretch of trail. The scramble down might not be ideal for young kids or anyone uncomfortable with loose footing.
Char Falls is best for people who enjoy scenic drives and don’t need every destination to be efficient. If your idea of a good day is wandering with a loose plan, stopping for photos, and letting the road be part of the experience, Char Falls makes sense.
If you want the easiest waterfall payoff, I’d choose Myrtle or Snow Creek first.
Best for: scenic drive lovers, waterfall collectors, adventurous travelers
Nearest area: Clark Fork / Lake Pend Oreille region
My take: worth it if you enjoy the drive as much as the destination
Parking: Pull out parking on the road.
Bathroom: None
6. Copper Falls near the Canadian Border
Copper Falls is just a short distance from Canada, and that’s the main thing to understand before you go. This is not a casual add-on from Sandpoint unless you’re already planning a long day. But if you’re in Bonners Ferry or exploring the far northern edge of Idaho, it’s definitely worth considering.
At 225 feet long, it’s the tallest waterfall in the bunch. It’s a narrow waterfall, though, so viewing it in late spring is ideal. An easy 1.4-mile trail takes you to both a lower view of the falls and an upper view from a wooded platform. When we visited, the waterfall mist was a refreshing pick-me-up!
Would I rank it as the first waterfall for a visitor with limited time? Probably not. But would I stop if I were already in the area, especially on a Bonners Ferry or Moyie River day? Yes.
Copper Falls is in grizzly bear country, so be aware, make noise as you walk, and bring bear spray.
Best for: far-north Idaho exploring, pairing with Bonners Ferry or Moyie River
Nearest town: Bonners Ferry
My take: beautiful, but best when you’re already headed that direction
Parking: Small lot
Bathrooms: Yes
How I’d Plan a North Idaho Waterfall Trip
If you only have one day and you’re based in Sandpoint, I would choose one region rather than trying to see everything. North Idaho distances can be deceiving, and a waterfall day can quickly turn into hours of driving if you try to cover Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, and Priest Lake all at once.
For a Bonners Ferry waterfall day, I’d pair Myrtle Falls and Snow Creek Falls. If you have extra time and energy, add Copper Falls, but know that it pushes the day farther north.
For a Priest Lake waterfall day, I’d focus on Granite Falls and the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars, then build the rest of the day around the lake. This is the day I’d choose in summer when I want shade, water, and that deep cedar forest feeling.
For a Sandpoint-based short outing, I’d choose Grouse Creek Falls. It’s the most convenient from town and gives you a quick taste of the wilder forested landscape around Sandpoint without committing to a full-day drive.
For a scenic drive day that’s off the beaten path, I’d consider Char Falls, especially if you’re already exploring the Lake Pend Oreille or Clark Fork side of the region.
Best Time to Visit Waterfalls in North Idaho
Spring and early summer are usually the most dramatic times for waterfalls because the water is moving with snowmelt. That said, early spring can also mean muddy trails, lingering snow, rough roads, and colder conditions.
Summer is easier for most travelers, especially families, but some waterfalls may be less powerful later in the season.
No matter when you go, check current road and trail conditions before heading out. Cell service can be unreliable in the mountains, and gravel roads may not be suitable for every vehicle after storms or during shoulder season. In general, a high-clearance vehicle is best.
For a full rundown of the weather in Idaho, you can check out this article on the best time to visit Idaho.
What to Bring
For most of these waterfalls, you don’t need serious hiking gear, but you do need to be prepared like you’re in North Idaho, not a city park.
- Water
- Bug spray (Don’t sleep on this tip! The mosquitoes can be intense!)
- Downloaded driving directions
- A light layer
- Bear spray
- Bag for trash
- Sturdy waterproof shoes
- A full tank of gas
If you’re traveling with kids, I’d also bring extra clothes or water shoes if you plan to linger near creeks.
For a more in-depth look at clothes and gear in Idaho, check out this article on what to pack for an Idaho adventure.
Be a Good Steward of the Land
North Idaho’s wild places are beautiful because they still feel wild, and keeping them that way is up to all of us. Pack out everything you bring in, stay on established trails, respect private property and posted signs, and never leave behind trash, food scraps, diapers, or pet waste.
These waterfalls in North Idaho may be easy to reach, but they still belong to a wild place. Treat them that way.
Happy Waterfall Chasing!
Looking for more guides to North Idaho? Here are more articles to help you plan your next trip to the region.
The Ultimate 3 Days In Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
Lake Life And Beyond: 25 Ways To Enjoy Sandpoint
The Best Day Trips From Coeur d’Alene
10 Adventures To Have In Priest Lake
PIN IT FOR LATER
