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The Selkirk Mountains
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Explore Washington’s Selkirk Mountains for quiet forests, alpine trails, remote lakes, wildlife and small-town heritage near the Canadian border.

Washington’s Selkirk Mountains form a rugged, forested corner of the state where the Columbia River bends through the far north-east before meeting the Canadian border. The range is part of a much larger mountain system extending into British Columbia and Idaho; this guide focuses on the Washington portion, principally within and around Colville National Forest and the remote north-east of the state. It is a region of granite ridges, deep timbered valleys, cold lakes and broad inland skies rather than a single resort destination or compact town-based circuit.
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The most accessible bases lie around Newport, Ione, Metaline Falls and Metaline, with smaller communities and forest roads leading towards trailheads, lakes and high country. Newport, on the Pend Oreille River near the Idaho boundary, is a practical southern base. Farther north, the communities of Ione and Metaline Falls provide access to the river corridor and the northern Selkirks, while Republic and Kettle Falls serve as useful gateways from the west and south-west. None of these places should be mistaken for alpine resort centres: services become sparse quickly once visitors leave the main roads.
Outdoor travel is the region’s defining experience. Hikers can explore the Salmo-Priest Wilderness, where old-growth forest, steep slopes and high ridges create a genuinely remote setting, or seek quieter walks and lakes around Sullivan Lake and the surrounding forest. Mountain biking, wildlife watching, fishing, paddling, hunting in season, camping and scenic driving are also important, although road conditions and access vary considerably. Snow makes many forest roads and high trails inaccessible in winter, while spring can bring muddy tracks, swollen streams and lingering snow at elevation.
The landscape also carries a layered human history. Indigenous peoples, including the Kalispel, Sinixt and members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, have longstanding cultural connections with the rivers, forests and mountain passes. Later came fur trading, mining, timber extraction, railways and hydroelectric development along the Pend Oreille. Small towns such as Metaline Falls retain traces of that industrial past, while the surrounding public lands reveal how conservation and resource use continue to coexist.
Visitors should approach the Selkirks as a self-reliant mountain region rather than a checklist of famous viewpoints. Distances are longer than they appear on a map, mobile coverage is unreliable away from settlements, and many recreational sites require careful preparation. The reward is a quieter landscape of dark conifer forests, clear water, wildlife habitat and high ridges, with remarkably little urban intrusion within Washington’s section of the range.

Getting to and around The Selkirk Mountains

How to get there

The Washington Selkirks are most practically reached by road. US 2 approaches the southern part of the region via Spokane and Newport, while US 395 and State Route 20 provide access from the west and south through towns such as Kettle Falls and Republic. Spokane International Airport, outside the region, is the principal large-airport gateway and offers the broadest choice of domestic connections; a hire car is normally needed for onward travel. The Canadian border is nearby in the north, but crossing points, identification requirements and opening arrangements should be checked before travelling. There is no major commercial airport within the mountain area.

Transportation

A private or hire car is the most flexible way to explore the Selkirks, particularly for reaching trailheads, lakes and dispersed camping areas. Main highways are generally straightforward, but secondary forest roads may be gravelled, narrow, rough or seasonally closed, and some are unsuitable for ordinary hire cars. Local public transport is limited and does not form a dependable sightseeing network. Cycling is possible on selected roads but requires preparation for hills, traffic-free distances, heat and limited services. Hikers should confirm parking, permits, road conditions and trail access before setting out.

Best attractions in The Selkirk Mountains

The Washington Selkirk Mountains are primarily an outdoor destination, with attractions spread across a large landscape rather than concentrated in one resort town. The Salmo-Priest Wilderness offers demanding hiking through dense forest, steep mountain terrain and remote high-country habitat, while Colville National Forest provides a wider network of trails, campgrounds, scenic roads, fishing waters and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Sullivan Lake and other forest lakes are suited to paddling, swimming where conditions permit, fishing and quiet camping, although facilities and road access vary by site and season. The Pend Oreille River corridor adds boating, riverside scenery and a strong sense of the region’s industrial history. Around Metaline Falls, the dramatic valley setting, local heritage and nearby Boundary Dam reveal the relationship between mountain communities and hydroelectric power. Newport and the southern approaches are useful for combining river landscapes with forest outings. In the wider north-east, Republic and Kettle Falls provide museums, heritage interpretation and practical gateways to mountain country, though they sit on the margins rather than in the core high Selkirks. Winter visitors should expect snow-based recreation and restricted forest access, while summer and early autumn are generally the most flexible seasons for hiking and driving. Activities should be matched carefully to weather, road conditions, fire restrictions and personal experience.

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Best landmarks in The Selkirk Mountains

The Pend Oreille River is the Selkirks’ defining geographical landmark in Washington, cutting a broad valley through the mountains and linking the region’s communities, forests and hydroelectric infrastructure. Near Metaline Falls, Boundary Dam is an imposing modern landmark whose power station and reservoir illustrate the scale of twentieth-century engineering in an otherwise sparsely settled landscape; access around operational infrastructure is controlled. The Salmo-Priest Wilderness is a landmark of a different kind, recognised for its extensive protected forests, high ridges and lack of permanent roads through much of its interior. Sullivan Lake provides a memorable mountain setting where water, dark conifer slopes and rockier uplands meet. The small towns themselves also carry visual significance: Metaline Falls retains a compact settlement character associated with mining, timber and river industry, while Newport marks the southern gateway where the Pend Oreille valley meets the Idaho border. High points such as Abercrombie Mountain and Gypsy Peak are significant to experienced backcountry travellers and offer a sense of the range’s elevation and remoteness, but routes can be strenuous, seasonally snowbound and dependent on forest-road access. Together these landmarks show the region as both wild terrain and a working human landscape.

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Best restaurants in The Selkirk Mountains

Dining in the Washington Selkirks is shaped by small-town services, outdoor travel and the agricultural and river landscapes around the mountains rather than by a concentrated restaurant scene. Newport, Metaline Falls, Republic, Kettle Falls and other gateway communities provide the most reliable choice of cafés, diners, family restaurants, bakeries and casual places to eat. Menus commonly reflect broader north-western American cooking, with burgers, sandwiches, breakfast dishes, soups, grilled meats and seasonal produce more typical than a narrowly defined Selkirk cuisine. Freshwater fish, locally produced fruit and vegetables, and regional beers may appear, but their availability varies by establishment and season. Traditional pubs and cafés are useful for an early meal before a trail outing, while self-catering is sensible for remote camps and longer drives. Farmers’ markets and roadside producers can offer fruit, preserves, baked goods and other local products when operating, particularly in the warmer months. Visitors should not expect frequent dining stops on forest roads: carry provisions, confirm service in small communities and plan meals around fuel and accommodation. The food culture is practical, locally oriented and closely connected to the realities of a dispersed mountain region.

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Best bars in The Selkirk Mountains

Nightlife in the Washington Selkirks is low-key and centred on small-town pubs, taverns, restaurants and occasional community events rather than nightclubs. Newport and the Pend Oreille valley offer the broadest choice of evening venues, while Metaline Falls, Republic, Kettle Falls and other gateways rely more on local bars, casual dining and seasonal activity. A pub may function as a social meeting place for residents, travellers, outdoor workers and visitors, but opening arrangements and food service can vary, so late-night options should not be assumed. Live music, fairs and other community gatherings may create busier evenings at particular times of year without forming a permanent entertainment district. Breweries and craft drinks associated with the wider inland North-west may be available in gateway towns, but the region is not primarily a cellar-door or club destination. In remote areas, evenings are more likely to involve campfires where permitted, stargazing, quiet accommodation or riverside and lakeside relaxation. Drink-driving is particularly hazardous on long, dark and winding roads; arrange a safe return and follow all Washington alcohol laws.

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Best nightclubs in The Selkirk Mountains

Nightlife in the Washington Selkirks is low-key and centred on small-town pubs, taverns, restaurants and occasional community events rather than nightclubs. Newport and the Pend Oreille valley offer the broadest choice of evening venues, while Metaline Falls, Republic, Kettle Falls and other gateways rely more on local bars, casual dining and seasonal activity. A pub may function as a social meeting place for residents, travellers, outdoor workers and visitors, but opening arrangements and food service can vary, so late-night options should not be assumed. Live music, fairs and other community gatherings may create busier evenings at particular times of year without forming a permanent entertainment district. Breweries and craft drinks associated with the wider inland North-west may be available in gateway towns, but the region is not primarily a cellar-door or club destination. In remote areas, evenings are more likely to involve campfires where permitted, stargazing, quiet accommodation or riverside and lakeside relaxation. Drink-driving is particularly hazardous on long, dark and winding roads; arrange a safe return and follow all Washington alcohol laws.

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Best shops in The Selkirk Mountains

Shopping in the Selkirk Mountains is concentrated in small gateway communities rather than purpose-built retail districts. Newport, Metaline Falls, Republic and Kettle Falls offer practical supplies, groceries, outdoor necessities, books, gifts and locally oriented independent shops, while their main streets provide a glimpse of the region’s dispersed commercial life. Seasonal farmers’ markets and roadside stands may sell fruit, vegetables, preserves, baked goods and other produce from the surrounding inland valleys. Visitors looking for souvenirs should consider regional maps, locally made crafts, artwork, photography, fishing and outdoor equipment, or food products that travel well. Antique and vintage items may appear in small-town shops, though stock and opening arrangements are variable. Shopping choices become very limited once travellers enter the national forest, so purchase fuel, food, medication and camping essentials before heading towards remote trailheads. The Washington Selkirks are not a major luxury-shopping destination; their retail character is practical, independent and connected to working communities, forestry, farming and outdoor recreation. For a wider selection of mainstream shops, Spokane is the nearest major urban centre but lies outside the region.

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The Selkirk Mountains essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD), as throughout Washington and the United States. Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted in established shops, accommodation and fuel stations in places such as Newport and other gateway communities, but service can be intermittent in remote areas. Carry cash for smaller businesses, campsites, rural services and unexpected delays, and refuel before entering sparsely settled forest country. Canadian dollars are not a substitute for US dollars, despite the region’s proximity to the Canadian border.
Safety
The principal risks are environmental and logistical rather than urban. Mountain roads may be rough, winter conditions can persist at elevation, and summer heat, smoke and wildfire closures can affect plans. Carry water, navigation equipment and suitable clothing, and never rely solely on mobile-phone coverage. Bears, moose and other wildlife should be observed from a safe distance, with food stored securely. Check boating conditions on lakes and rivers, use life jackets, and take care near steep terrain, fast water, falling branches and changing weather.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 for police, fire or ambulance emergencies in Washington State. Tell the dispatcher your precise location, road number, trail name, campsite or coordinates, since addresses may be unclear in remote forest areas. Search-and-rescue assistance may involve county services, sheriff’s offices, fire departments or specialist teams, but response times can be long in the mountains. For a non-urgent problem, contact the relevant county sheriff or land-management office; do not assume that a distant town has immediate access to specialist medical care.
Do's and Don'ts
Do follow posted fire restrictions, leave gates as you find them, stay on permitted routes and pack out rubbish. Do respect private land, tribal lands, wildlife closures and restrictions around dams or other infrastructure. Do not assume that every inviting forest track is a public road, and do not approach wildlife or feed animals. At lakes and rivers, observe local boating and fishing rules. In small communities, queue politely, support local businesses and remember that outdoor recreation takes place alongside working forestry, agriculture and hydroelectric operations.
Local Tips
Use Newport, Ione, Metaline Falls, Metaline, Republic or Kettle Falls according to your route, but check fuel, food and lodging options before committing to a remote excursion. The Salmo-Priest Wilderness requires especially careful planning because routes are long and services are absent. Forest roads can change rapidly after storms or fires, so local ranger information is often more useful than an old online itinerary. Autumn brings colour and cooler hiking conditions, while winter turns much of the high country into a snow-travel environment rather than a conventional sightseeing landscape.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHey there[Hay thare]
GoodbyeSee you later[See yew lay-ter]
YesYep[Yep]
NoNope[Nope]
Please/You're welcomeSure thing[Shur thing]
Thank youThanks a lot[Thangs a lot]
Excuse me/SorrySorry about that[Sor-ree abowt that]
How are you?How's it going?[How's it goin'?]
Fine. And you?Good. You?[Good. Yew?]
Do you speak English?Do ya talk English?[Doo ya talk Ing-lish?]
I don't understandI ain't following[I ain't follerin']
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[Can I see the men-yoo?]
I don't eat meatI'm a vegetarian[I'm a veg-e-tair-ee-an]
Cheers!Bottoms up![Bot-toms up!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the check?[Can I get the check?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help me![Help me!]
Go away!Leave me alone![Leev me alon!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![Call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![Get a doc-tor!]
I'm lostI'm turned around[I'm turned around]
I'm illI'm not feeling well[I'm not feelin' well]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[Just brow-zing]
How much is it?What's the price?[What's the price?]
That's too expensiveThat's a bit pricey[That's a bit pricy]
Can you lower the price?Can you cut the price?[Can you cut the price?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What’s the time?[What’s the time?]
It's one o'clockIt's one[It's one]
Half past (10)Half past ten[Half past ten]
MorningMorning[Mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[Aft-er-noon]
EveningEvening[Eve-ning]
YesterdayYesterday[Yest-er-day]
TodayToday[To-day]
TomorrowTomorrow[To-mor-row]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[Where's the...?]
What's the address?What's the address?[What's the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you point it out?[Can you point it out?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[When's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to...[A ticket to...]

History of The Selkirk Mountains

Indigenous homelands and river networks

The Selkirk region lies within the longstanding cultural landscapes of Indigenous peoples including the Kalispel and Sinixt, while the wider north-east Washington area is also closely connected with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Rivers, lakes, mountain passes and seasonal camps supported fishing, hunting, gathering and travel long before American settlement. The Pend Oreille and Columbia corridors linked communities across what are now international and state boundaries. Visitors should understand the mountains as lived cultural landscapes rather than empty wilderness, even where modern conservation designations limit development.

Fur trade and boundary-era exploration

During the early nineteenth century, fur-trade networks and exploratory journeys connected the Columbia, Kootenay and Pend Oreille watersheds with trading posts and routes farther north and east. The Selkirks were difficult terrain, but their valleys and river corridors formed part of a wider inland network used by Indigenous travellers, traders and later surveyors. The eventual international boundary and the creation of Washington Territory imposed political lines across a much older pattern of movement, leaving the mountains divided between the United States and Canada.

Mining and settlement in the nineteenth century

Mineral exploration and mining intensified in north-east Washington during the late nineteenth century, drawing prospectors and promoting small settlements in mountain valleys. Lead, zinc, silver and other ores were worked in the broader Pend Oreille and Boundary districts, though the scale and longevity of individual operations varied. Mining brought roads, mills, shops and speculative growth, while also leaving altered landscapes and contaminated sites in some areas. Metaline Falls and neighbouring communities retain visible links to this period of resource-led settlement.

Timber, railways and small-town economies

Commercial timber became a major force in the regional economy as railways and improved roads made it possible to move logs and products beyond the mountain valleys. Towns such as Newport, Ione and Metaline Falls developed around combinations of forestry, transport, agriculture, mining and river commerce rather than a single urban centre. The result was a dispersed settlement pattern that still shapes travel today: services are concentrated in a few communities, while large tracts of forest separate them.

Colville National Forest and public-land management

The establishment of Colville National Forest in 1907 placed much of Washington’s Selkirk country within a federal system intended to manage forests, watersheds and extractive use. Over time, recreation, wildlife protection, fire management, timber production and grazing have all influenced decisions on these public lands. The forest is not untouched wilderness in the strict sense, but a managed landscape containing roads, working forests, recreation sites and areas preserved for their ecological and scenic value.

Dams, power and the Pend Oreille River

Hydroelectric development transformed the Pend Oreille corridor during the twentieth century. Boundary Dam, completed near Metaline Falls in the 1960s, created a major power-generating installation and altered parts of the river environment, while communities and roads developed around the project. The dam reflects the region’s continuing tension between rugged scenery, industrial infrastructure and economic use of natural resources. It is also a reminder that the Selkirks are not an entirely undeveloped mountain landscape.

Modern conservation and outdoor recreation

Late twentieth-century conservation efforts protected important high-country and old-growth habitats, including the Salmo-Priest Wilderness, while recreation expanded through hiking, camping, boating, fishing and wildlife tourism. Contemporary management must balance habitat protection with wildfire risk, access, timber interests and the needs of nearby communities. The modern visitor encounters this layered history in wilderness boundaries, forest roads, working towns, interpretive sites and the continuing presence of Indigenous communities and cultural interests.

The Selkirk Mountains in Photos

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Neighbouring regions of The Selkirk Mountains

The closest regions to The Selkirk Mountains, if you have time for more than one.

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Washington
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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to The Selkirk Mountains

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Explore the majestic Selkirk Mountains with Evendo, a free travel guide app offering detailed insights into attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more, ensuring an unforgettable journey.

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Nestled in the northeastern reaches of Washington State, The Selkirk Mountains beckon with their breathtaking vistas and rich history. With Evendo, immerse yourself in this enchanting region like never before. Our app provides detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities. Whether you're standing before the majestic Kettle River Range or exploring the serene beauty of Priest Lake, Evendo ensures you have all the local tips and historical insights you need.

Looking to savor local flavors? Discover culinary gems like the renowned Ivano's Ristorante for authentic Italian cuisine or the rustic charm of the Old Tin Can Roadhouse. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers not only world-class skiing but also stunning hiking trails in the summer. Each location in the app is enriched with images, descriptions, maps, and contact details, making it easy to plan your itinerary.

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