Beach Trail #48

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Take ID 57 for 31 miles north from Priest River to Kalispell Bay Road. Go right onto Kalispell Bay Road for 0.9 miles to West Lakeshore Road. Take a right onto West Lakeshore Road and follow it for 0.4 miles. Just past the Marina is the entance to Kalispell Boat Launch on the left. Turn into Kalispell Boat Launch and follow the road to its parking area. The Kalispell Boat Launch has a $5 day use fee from May 1 through October 15.

Beach Trail is found at the end of the parking area, on the lake/east side. This is a forest trail that hugs the lake's shoreline, usually close to water level, but sometimes above the lake. It does run through a lot of civilization—a few campgrounds, a rustic resort, and many rustic cottages. These are on the interior/right side of the trail, except for their docks. They are clearly well managed, as shown by the crystal clear lake waters, how well the buildings blend into the forest, and the intact forest (the trees are preserved, not cut for open lawns for the most part). The National Forest Service manages Beach Trail and keeps it in good shape. It is a popular trail in the warmer months. In the colder months, one can have it to themselves, what with all the summer season people elsewhere.

Leaving the parking area, the trail enters the beautiful, mixed conifer forest, with lake views on the left/east. And the rugged Selkirk Mountains across the lake are a sight to see! The first sign of civilization is Luby Campground, about three-quarters of a mile after leaving the parking area. Then, about a half mile of cottages are passed.

At the 1.3-mile mark, there are some interesting interpretive signs. These are part of a museum on the right. Well worth visiting. After the museum comes the resort with all its cute little brown cabins. This is a wide-open area, with the trail right on the sandy beach. The last of the resort cabins are passed at the 1.8 mark, as the trail crosses West Lakeshore Road.

On the south/west side of West Lakeshore Road now, the trail re-enters the forest and turns east as it begins climbing. In the pretty forest, for the next mile and a half, there are no signs of civilization. The trail is high above the lake with great views of the lake and surrounding mountains. At the 2.5-mile mark, the trail descends to cross West Lakeshore Road again. Now on the north side of the road, the trail climbs above the lake again and continues on.

At the 3.3-mile mark, the trail veers south, dropping back down to water level. For the rest of its length, the trail travels south and passes cottages and their docks. Osprey Campground is reached at the 5.3-mile mark. After a few more cottages, Outlet Bay Campground is reached, along with a sign for Beach Tr. No. 48. This is at the 5.8-mile mark. Is this the Beach Trail end? Who knows... The path continues on passing campground facilities, but no more trail signs are to be found.

Mixed conifer forest - hemlocks, western white pines, some cedars, and more. The underbrush ranges from sparse to dense, with ferns, mosses, lichen, and low bushes. Deer live here.