Smith Lake
- 1.4 mi
- round trip
- 443 ft
- climb
- 5,830 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Smith Lake open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Three Rivers Ranger District. It doesn't name Smith Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Ross Creek Cedars Road Closure & Storm Damage Update
Agency closure covering Three Rivers Ranger District · Order 01-14-04-26-08 · USFS · Three Rivers Ranger District
Kootenai Flood Event & Inaccessible Areas
Agency closure covering Kootenai National Forest · USFS · Kootenai National Forest
Updated Skillet Fire Area, Road, Trail Closure
Agency alert covering Kootenai National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Kootenai National Forest
Spar Lake Road #384 Road Closed to Motorized Vehicles
Agency alert covering Three Rivers Ranger District · Order 01-14-04-26-04 · USFS · Three Rivers Ranger District
As of · Source: USFS · Three Rivers Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Smith Lake is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.4 miles on natural surface in the Three Rivers Ranger District of Idaho's Kootenai National Forest. The trail rises about 440 feet from a low point of 5,655 feet to a high point of 5,830 feet, and the Forest Service manages the land. The trailhead is parking area Smith Lake TH 156, and the trail stays open from June 1 through October 31. Bikes are allowed on this route, so the hike works well for riders as well as walkers. The trip is short and gentle, making it an easy way to get a little elevation in the forest before or after exploring the surrounding area. Smith Mountain sits just 0.3 miles away, and South Fork Callahan and Caribou Creek are both within about 1.7 miles. For an overnight stay, Lunch Peak Lookout campground lies about 5.7 miles off.
Local outfitters
- Kootenai River Campground10 mi away
- Nordman Resort42 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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Smith Mountain
Next door
2.22-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 812 ft elevation gain.
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South Fork Callahan
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7.30-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 2,574 ft gain.
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Moose Lake
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3.18-mile out-and-back trail to Moose Lake in Idaho with 543 ft of elevation gain.
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Callahan
~5 min drive
Callahan is a 1.63-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 78 ft of elevation gain.
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Caribou Creek
~3 min drive
10.62-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 2,216 ft elevation gain.
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North Fork Callahan
~8 min drive
8.93-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,082 ft elevation gain.
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Lake Darling Trail
~5 min drive
2.36-mile out-and-back trail at Lake Darling in Idaho with 675 ft elevation gain
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Pend Oreille Divide
~10 min drive
20.87-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 377 ft elevation gain.
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Goat Mountain
~11 min drive
4.67-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,038 ft elevation gain.
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Divide Lake
~13 min drive
0.02-mile out-and-back trail to Divide Lake in Idaho.
