Kootenai falls is the largest undammed falls in the state and a major attraction to those traveling through the area. Grizzly bear attack from the trailer for the movie the revenant. This moderately easy hike is a great way to experience kootenai national forest and the beautiful kootenai falls. Numerous hiking trails, picnic areas and river access are all available. The 11 months of shooting was notoriously complicated. The updates include new plush carpet, paint and wall coverings, modern furniture, energy efficient lighting, draperies, larger refrigerators. Each montana film in the book earns its own writeup with littleknown facts. Inside the revenant, new movie about 1823 grizzly bear mauling. Now a student at north idaho college in coeur dalene, schwindt has visited. The bridge was originally created to help the forest service access the area across the river to help fight forest fires in 1984, a flood ripped through the area and tore out the original bridge. Because the various waterfalls along the missouri river in great falls have been largely dewatered, kootenai falls is currently the largest waterfall in montana by volume. Location scouts reportedly searched all over north america for an epic river backdrop, finally settling on kootenai falls near libby.
Yvonne hill, who owns the sandman motel where the revenant stunt crew spent much of last july while some filming for the movie was completed on the kootenai river, said a stunt double for. Mens journal has published an article about the upcoming hollywood movie the revenant which will be released on january 8, 2016. Its since been rebuilt with a stronger foundation and is not protected by the libby dam from future. This weekend is the oscars, and the revenant along with its star leonardo dicaprio. The film, starring leonardo dicaprio as american frontiersman hugh glass, who sets out for revenge after being left for dead following a bear attack, is already the stuff of legend. Daniel mitchell not only is it one of our states easiest hikes, but theres stunning scenery around every corner. The kootenai falls trail will show you a side of montana you. The revenant has been nominated for a dozen oscars at next months academy awards, including best picture and best cinematography. Watch the revenant based in part on michael punkes book of the. Meryl streep was seen frequently leaving the venture inn where she was staying in a white mercedes and waving at passing folks.
The true story behind the revenant, as told in 1939. Trapping beaver, they contend daily with the threat of indian tribes turned warlike over the white mens encroachment on their land, and other. Kootenai falls on the kootenai river, adjacent to u. The falls can also be seen in the movies the river wild and the revenant kootenai falls is accessed via short dirt trail from the parking lot on highway two between troy and libby. Kootenai falls was recently made famous as the setting for a swimming scene in the 2015 movie the revenant, but it is known among boaters as a great spot to park and huck when the flows are right. Jan, 2016 revenant set in montana, but mostly filmed in canada. The revenant is ultimately a tale of servival grounded in an awe for both the majestic strength of nature and for man resolution to stay alive in the face of its raw power. The revenant is based in montana but filmed basically everywhere else this weekend is the oscars, and the revenant along with its star leonardo dicaprio are poised to bring home some serious awards. The calm river suddenly gathers momentum surging first through china rapids and then over kootenai falls, dropping 90 feet in less than a mile.
The only shots on screen actually filmed in the treasure state occurred on kootenai falls in the libby area. River view rooms have been freshly renovated in 2018. The scene is truly breathtaking and has been used in several movies, including the revenant and the river wild. Movies filmed in kootenai country kootenai country is located in the extreme northwest corner of the state known as big sky country. Shot in montana by brian dambrosio riverbend publishing. If anything, you know that he is attacked by a bear like 4 times. A vast portion of revenant was filmed in the vast kananaskis country in the canadian rockies.
Kootenai falls swinging bridge, libby montana duration. Revenant set in montana, but mostly filmed in canada. Explore kootenai falls, kootenai river historical marker. Libby, montana, usa waterfall scene at kootenai falls calgary, alberta, canada kananaskis country, alberta, canada burnaby, british columbia, canada san francisco peaks, arizona, usa white mountains, arizona, usa. Oscar force the revenant shot near libby academy awardwinning cinematographer selected kootenai falls for epic river scene. The beauty of montana has been profiled in landscape art for hundreds of years. The raft flip and helicopter rescue below kootenai falls. The kootenai river swallowed up academy awardwinning actress meryl streep in the river wild, a stunt double for leonardo dicaprio tumbled down kootenai falls in the revenant, and forrest gumps brother ran through glacier national park. This place is situated in lincoln county, montana, united states, its geographical coordinates are 48 26 53 north, 115 46 54 west and its original name with diacritics is kootenai falls. Kootenai falls near libby, montana, us an injured glass ends up in some rapids and a waterfall in the film in a bid to escape from the arikara native americans. Libbys ties to oscarwinning revenant include accusation. The incredible filming locations of the revenant the telegraph. A dramatic sequence was shot at the kootenai falls near libby, montana. We visited kootenai falls and the swinging bridge across the river for the first time this year.
Hiking trails and natural scenic wonders such as kootenai falls, yaak falls, and ross creek cedars are all just minutes away. Movie clip showing the kootenai falls in libby, montana. Kootenai river, the falls, t he revenant jim honan. Montanas kootenai river swallowed up academy awardwinning actress meryl streep in the river wild, a stunt double for leonardo dicaprio tumbled down kootenai falls in the revenant, and forrest gump ran through glacier national park. In the summer the parking lot is often full and even has some vendors selling objects and food. Offensive comic book characters that turned many heads. Crew members shoot a scene for the oscarwinner feature film the revenant at kootenai falls. A foggy morning at kootenai falls, montana on vimeo. After parking in the lot, one path leads to the falls overlook and in the opposite direction, the path leads to the swinging bridge. However, the last part of the trail once you get near the falls may not be appropriate for bicycling. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. The revenant, we recommend the original thrilling novel by michael punke in which the film.
Discover kootenai falls swinging bridge history of the kootenai falls swinging bridge. From the bridge you can see the rapids of the kootenai river and the kootenai falls farther down. It was featured in major films including revenant and river wild starring meryl streep and kevin bacon. The revenant opens in select theaters on christmas and. Picnic areas and rest rooms are available near the parking area. Being one of the largest untamed waterfalls in the northwest, it is clear why the falls and location scouting for feature film the revenant. Kootenai river trail in libby, mt, a hiking trail to kootenai. A novel of revenge by michael punke from amazons fiction. Libbys ties to oscarwinning revenant include accusation stuntman was injured. Most of the reasonably level terrain lies in the narrow kootenay river valley from bonners ferry to kootenay lake and in parts of the rocky mountain trench from canal flats to lake koocanusa. Feb 09, 2016 1 min video of the beautifully rugged stretch of the kootenai river below the falls. Anyway, we stumbled upon the waterfall that is in that movie, kootenai falls. Be sure to make time to visit kootenai river falls and the swing bridge located just 9 miles west of us.
Most of the revenant was filmed in the canadian rockies with the exception of the waterfall scene that was filmed on kootenai falls between troy and libby, montana definitely not on the great plains. Smith and inarritu is based in part on michael punkes 2002 novel of the same name, describing frontiersman hugh glasss experiences in 1823. Yvonne hill, who owns the sandman motel where the revenant stunt crew spent much of last july while some filming for the movie was completed on the kootenai river, said a stunt double for academy awardwinning actor leonardo dicaprio. Oscar force the revenant shot near libby flathead beacon. This scene sequence was filmed at kootenai falls on the kootenai river between libby and troy, montana. The filming locations of the revenant capture the splendor of an epic landscape, and also the tough conditions of survival and filming in such a frigid environment. It offers an unforgettable and breathtaking view as the kootenai river loses 300 feet in elevation traveling a few hundred yards down river.
Over the falls the waterfall scene was filled at kootenai falls on the kootenai river near libby, montana, northwest montana. The scenes in the waterfall were filmed at the kootenai falls. A novel of revenge by michael punke about the book the year is 1823, and the trappers of the rocky mountain fur company live a brutal frontier life. The revenant has more ties to montana than the relatively brief screen time that came from the kootenai falls shoot. The revenant is based in montana but filmed basically. Being one of the largest untamed waterfalls in the northwest, it is clear why the falls and surrounding area are considered sacred to. If there were ever a true story ripe for big screen treatment, its that of hugh glass, a 19th century trapper who traveled 1,500 miles through the wilderness in pursuit of vengeance against the men who left him for dead after he was mauled by a bear. Jul 26, 2018 the kootenai swinging bridge trail is a short, milelong hike that leads to the beautiful kootenai falls. Revenant set in montana, but mostly filmed in canada the only shots on screen actually filmed in the treasure state occurred on kootenai. The idea of filming the book reportedly came out of an. News december 2015 inside the revenant, new movie about 1823 grizzly bear mauling of mountain man hugh glass.
Start by parking at the kootenai river historical marker, which commemorates the kootenai people and records their struggles with the neighboring blackfeet and white settlers. Birds eye view of the revenant starring leonardo dicaprio. Officially released for private showings on december 25, 2015, the film had a wide released on january 8, 2015. Dec 20, 2015 oscar force the revenant shot near libby academy awardwinning cinematographer selected kootenai falls for epic river scene. Im sure you are familiar maybe not seen, but familiar with leonardo dicaprios movie the revenant. A century of filmmaking puts montana in the spotlight tgif. The audience is given the perspective mostly of hugh glass, the assumed protagonist, but not necessarily the hero. Inside the revenant, new movie about 1823 grizzly bear. The kootenai falls offer a perfect day trip for the entire family. The waterfall itself is pretty cool, wide, lots of water, very blue. Behind the river safety that went into filming the revenant friday february 12, 2016.
Jan 11, 2016 alberta wasnt the only canadian province to house the production of the revenant. Revenants reallife landscapes used in the oscarnominated movie. But youll love them just as much for whats outside, because 65 select guest rooms have private balconies with a gorgeous view of the kootenai river or choose from the 36 larger rooms in the kootenai falls lodge expansion. Kootenai falls, the largest undammed falls in montana, served as the setting for the 1994 film river wild starring meryl streep, but it. Actually, montana snuck in the back door by way of its breathtaking scenery, albeit in the wrong part of the state. I might have gotten a better photo in getting closer, but with the amount of water going down river i didnt think it. Mar 30, 2017 troy the kootenai falls seem different from day to day, moment to moment. If there were ever a true story ripe for big screen treatment, its that of hugh glass, a 19th century trapper who traveled 1,500 miles through the wilderness in pursuit of vengeance against the. Kootenai falls, one of the largest freeflowing waterfalls in the northwest u. In canada, filming took place in calgary and fortress mountain in alberta, in kananaskis country west of calgary, the badlands near drumheller, and at squamish and mammoth studios, burnaby, in british columbia. Feb 29, 2016 the incredible filming locations for the revenant. I return every year for the car show in august and usually make a visit to the falls and ross creek cedars.
The kootenai river penetrates a canyon and flows over kootenai falls. The scenes in the waterfall were filmed at the kootenai falls near libby. Now we move to the kootenai falls near libby in montana, usa. The river the waterfall scene was filled at kootenai falls on the kootenai river near libby, montana, northwest montana. Kootenai falls swinging bridge northwest travel magazine.
How to reach montanas hidden kootenai falls swinging. I had to drive over to libby yesterday to sell a bike i wasnt using and decided to stop at kootenai falls on the way back. The kootenay river is defined by rocky uplands and steep mountains, and there is relatively little flat land in the watershed. Highway 2 between libby and troy, is a scenic attraction not to be missed. Montanas kootenai river swallowed up academy awardwinning actress meryl. It is possible to take this trail all the way to kootenai falls and the famed swinging bridge. Behind the river safety that went into filming the revenant. This is the area where many scenes from the river wild were filmed. Behind the river safety that went into filming the revenant the. Incredible high water at kootenai falls near libby, montana mt duration. A century of filmmaking puts montana in the spotlight. The movie the river wild with merrill streep and kevin bacon was filmed there as well as the revenant with leonardo dicaprio. Keeping with true northwest montana style, the area has no guide rails or paved paths next to the river, giving visitors a natural view of the falls. It gets a bit dicey above the falls and if you do take your bike that far, you may need to walk it or even pack it.
Birds eye of big sky was initially asked to scout locations for the feature film at kootenai falls in libby, montana. The kootenai river swallowed up academy awardwinning actress meryl streep in the river wild, a stunt double for leonardo dicaprio tumbled down kootenai falls in the revenant, and forrest gump s brother ran through glacier national park. Inspired by true events, the revenant follows the story of legendary explorer hugh glass dicaprio on his quest for survival and justice. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from june until september.
The revenant is a 2015 american epic adventure drama film directed by alejandro gonzalez inarritu. Jan 15, 2016 the beautiful kootenai falls and swinging bridge area between troy and libby montana. The only cameo of the big sky state in the film is a brief scene shot near libby. Included are films made in libby, lakes, streams and rivers, the local shooting range, parks, the museum, the local microbrewery, the koocanusa dam, and kootenai falls swinging bridge. Another movie that used the kootenai river and falls was the river wild, starring kevin bacon and meryl streep. Get directions, maps, and traffic for kootenai falls, mt. Filming was done almost exclusively on the whitewater rapids of the kootenai river which was named after the kootenai indians and kootenai falls. Smith and inarritu is based in part on michael punkes 2002 novel of the same name, describing frontiersman hugh glasss. The falls are made up of a series of small drops totaling 55 feet in height, with the tallest individual sections standing about 30 feet alone. Over the falls this scene sequence was filmed at kootenai falls on the kootenai river between libby and troy, montana. Inside the revenant, new movie about 1823 grizzly bear mauling of mountain man hugh glass new hollywood movie has a libbytroy connection by dawn ballou, december 12, 2015. Kootenai falls, montana, united states world waterfall database. Jan 18, 2017 im sure you are familiar maybe not seen, but familiar with leonardo dicaprios movie the revenant.