The history of Libby dates back more than 8,000 years to when the first indigenous peoples arrived in the area. The earliest known American settler, David Thompson, arrived in the 1800s. Like much of Montana, early economic activity included fur trading, railroad construction, mining, and logging. In 1867, miners flocked to Libby Creek, but it was deserted by the 1870s. In 1892, with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway, the town moved downstream, and the name was shortened from Libbysville to Libby. With a population of approximately 2,800 residents, Libby is a great place for those looking for a few amenities in the midst of miles and miles of wilderness.
Although Libby is a tiny town, it benefits greatly from the many natural wonders surrounding it, which draw flocks of tourists each year. Most notably, nearby Kootenai Falls draws a huge number of visitors, perhaps partially due to the area having been featured in major motion pictures such as 1994's "The River Wild" and 2015's "The Revenant."
Kootenai River Stampede: Held every summer for nearly 20 years, the Kootenai River Stampede offers a professional rodeo, beer garden, food vendors, craft vendors, and kids' events.
Libby Logger Days: Held each June for nearly six decades, Logger Days offers four days of family fun celebrating the logging heritage of the Libby area, including a carnival, live music, logging events, other family-friendly events, fireworks, and a 10-kilometer run.
Montana's Longest Table: Every year in June, Montana’s Longest Table is an event held in Lewistown which features a Montana-style dinner created from food grown in the state.
Glacier National Park: Located on the Canadian border, 121 miles from Libby, the park offers more than 734 miles of trails and enough terrain to explore to keep an adventurer busy for a lifetime. The highest point there is 10,000 feet above sea level. It will take you a little over two hours to drive there on US-2 E.
No trip to this area would be complete, of course, without a visit to the oldest national park in the United States, Yellowstone National Park. Established in 1872, this park covers almost 3,500 miles. Its location on top of a dormant volcano is the reason that it has more geysers and hot springs than anywhere else on Earth, including the renowned Old Faithful. Yellowstone is about 471 miles from Libby and about a seven-and-a-half-hour drive via I-90 E.
Libby is located right in the heart of Kootenai National Forest, so you don't have to wander far to explore all that this park has to offer. Some points of interest to visit include the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area, the Ten Lakes Scenic Area, the Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway, and the Ross Creek Scenic Area.
Located in Beaverhead County, Bannack State Park is an abandoned mining town that once boasted a peak population of nearly ten thousand residents. Around 60 buildings remain, most of which are open to visitors and offer a fascinating exploration into the region's past. Located high on the panhandle of Northern Idaho, Round Lake State Park is a 58-acre body of water formed by glacier activity during the Pleistocene Age. A forest of towering trees provides a canopy over much of the park while cattail, skunk cabbage, water grasses, and water lilies line the water's edge. While you are in the area, you can also check out Farragut State Park just down the road.
Our Lady of the Rockies Statue: The Our Lady of the Rockies statue is a 90-foot, glistening white statue built in the likeness of Mary, the mother of Jesus, that sits atop the Continental Divide overlooking Butte. It is the fourth-tallest statue in the United States and is dedicated to all women.
Fire Lookouts: Lookout towers and cabins were used by the Forest Service to spot forest fires and as remote work stations. Some remain in use today, but some are available to rent by the public for remote stays in a unique back-country facility.
Woodland RV Park: The only RV park in Libby, this beautiful, quaint park is nestled on 10 acres of towering pines. Open from April through September, they offer full hookups, WiFi, and cable TV at each site.
Kootenai River Campground: Located just west of Troy, about 15 minutes from Libby, the Kootenai River Campground offers both shaded and sunny pull-through sites with 30-amp electric, water, and sewer, as well as an on-site dump station, which you can use on your way out. All sites come with a picnic table and fire pit. Use of the campground restrooms, showers, and WiFi is included.
Rollins RV Park & Restaurant: Located on the shores of nearby Flathead Lake, this park has peekaboo views of the lake and back-in sites that will accommodate rigs up to 40 feet in total length. Amenities include a restaurant with excellent home cooking.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Libby, MT, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Libby?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Libby from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Libby?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.