Kootenai National Forest · Montana

Big Eddy

4.5 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 998 · trail class 3 · typical grade 12-20% · tread 18-24 inches wide · hiking, horse, bike

Trailhead #998 Big Eddy Trailhead Drive there

#998 Big Eddy Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Big Eddy Trail #998 leads to Star Peak Lookout. Star Peak is the location of the first recorded lookout site in Montana. The original rock house still sits below the current lookout which was built in 1910. Stunning views of the Scotchman Peaks Recommended Wilderness Area, Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, and the Clark Fork Valley can be seen from the peak. Star Gulch Trail #1016 and Pilick Ridge Trail #1036 depart from the peak offering loop hiking/horseback opportunities.

Big Eddy Trail #998

Restrictions <ul><li><strong>Motorized use:</strong>&nbsp; Big Eddy Trail #998 is open to vehicles up to 50&rdquo; or less in width to the end of the two track portion of the trail (2.5 mile mark).</li><li><strong>Mechanized use:</strong>&nbsp; Big Eddy Trail #998 is open to mechanized use from the trailhead to the junction of Historic Big Eddy Trail #999 (2.8 mile mark). &nbsp;</li><li>Properly possess and store all food, refuse, and other attractants pursuant to Kootenai National Forest <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd534160.pdf">Food Storage Order</a> (CFR 261.58 (cc)).</li><li>Please practice Pack-in-Pack-out and Leave-No-Trace ethics</li></ul>

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

#999 Historic Big Eddy the Forest Service's write-up

Historic Big Eddy Trail #999 is a short but steep non-motorized trail that ends at Big Eddy Trail #998 approximately halfway up to Star Peak. The trail offers stunning views of the Clark Fork River Valley.

Historic Big Eddy Trail #999

Restrictions <ul><li><strong>No motorized use.&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>Mechanized use:</strong>&nbsp; Historic Big Eddy Trail #999 is open to mechanized use.&nbsp; However mechanized use is not advised due to occasional blowdown and tread conditions.&nbsp; Be advised Big Eddy Trail #998 from the junction of Historic Big Eddy Trail #999 to Star Peak Lookout is closed to mechanized use.</li><li><strong>Stock Use:</strong>&nbsp; Stock use is not recommended on Historic Big Eddy Trail #999 due to occasional blowdown and tread condition. Stock users are encouraged to use Big Eddy Trail #998.</li><li>Properly possess and store all food, refuse, and other attractants pursuant to Kootenai National Forest <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd534160.pdf">Food Storage Order </a>(CFR 261.58 (cc)).</li><li>Please practice Pack-in-Pack-out and Leave-No-Trace ethics.</li></ul>

This hike on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in Kootenai National Forest

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About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.