Kootenai National Forest

Roads

Driving for pleasure and sightseeing is an important use of your National Forest. There are about 7900 miles of inventoried roads on the Kootenai National Forest with approximately 1700 miles maintained for passenger car traffic. 3700 miles of road are drivable and open for vehicle use, with about 550 miles of road with seasonal restrictions. Seasonal restrictions are usually applied in the fall for big game habitat protection. The remaining roads are restricted year round to motorized use. Road restrictions are developed in cooperation with the State and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, primarily to protect wildlife habitat and provide security. Use of roads is also restricted to protect soil and water quality, and provide non-motorized recreation opportunities. The forest publishes a travel map annually that is updated each spring. These maps show roads and restrictions and are available at the forest offices.

Road Type Hazards

Pavement/Blacktop/Asphalt: smooth surfaces may give a false sense of security, resulting in faster traffic. These roads are slippery when wet or frozen, and may have black ice (very thin, very slippery layers of frozen water that appear as dark patches) in the spring and early fall.

Aggregate/Graveled/Rocked: Rougher, slower, poor traction on corners, harder to stop, tendency to slide sideways when going to fast, flying rocks, holes, wash boarding (narrow lumps in the road that cause the car to vibrate, affecting control), dust on turnouts, fewer signs.

Native Dirt/Unsurfaced: Rough, rutted, slippery when wet or frozen, dusty, slow, poor sight distance, soft shoulders, narrow, few turnouts, minimal signing

Driving Tips

• Leave headlights ON while driving National Forest roads so others can see you easily
• Slow down! Speed limits normally aren't posted on Forest roads.
• Expect to see other traffic. Don't let your guard down if you don't see other traffic.
• Be aware of your surroundings: road width, surface, sight distance, possible turnouts, etc.
• When stopping for any activity, like berry picking, photography, or wildlife viewing, pull off the road in a safe area.
• Stay off edges of roads.
• If drowsy, pull off the road, get out, walk around.
• Allow enough time to make your trip. Making up time on the road is dangerous!
• Report potential hazards if possible.
• Don't swerve for animals.
• Don't eat or drink while driving.
• Use lower gears going downhill to save your brakes and cool your engine.

Safety on Blind Corners

Drive every corner as if you are going to meet another vehicle. Stay to the right, and slow down! You need to be able to stop in half the sight distance, and sight distance is limited around corners.

Watching for Oncoming Traffic

Look for dust ahead of you, indicating oncoming traffic. When you see someone, slow down, and look for a spot to pull over, not only for oncoming traffic but for traffic too close behind you. Try to let dust settle for best visibility.

Give the right-of-way to downhill traffic on narrow roads. As you drive, make a mental note of the last wide spot.

Remember, traffic is heavier in early mornings and evenings when workers are traveling to and from their jobs, and on weekends, when recreation traffic is common.

Know Your Vehicle

Make sure your vehicle is in proper working conditions; check the brakes, tires, cooling system, etc. Know how your vehicle handles. Prepare your vehicle for the trip by carrying adequate fuel, a spare tire, jack, chains, tools, fire extinguisher, and flashlight.

Know Your Route

Plan your trip. Call local authorities for information. Inquire about other traffic: construction, logging, and tourists. Inquire about closures and restrictions.

Don't leaved a parked vehicle in front of a gate.

Use a vehicle that is appropriate for the route you plan to take. Low clearance vehicles, and even some sports utility vehicles, are NOT suitable for certain types for forest roads.

USDA Forest Service - Kootenai National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 26 November 2003 at 11:32:02 EST