Kila is located on Smith Lake, a 400-acre lake bordered by wetlands on three sides. The Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area is a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. During bird migrations, the wetland complex serves as an important stopover and refueling site for tens of thousands of birds each year. Smith Lake offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. The annual bird migration makes the wetlands a clear nature-focused feature alongside the lake itself.

Shoreline and Access at Smith Lake

A two-mile paved section of the Rails-to-Trail route runs along the western edge of the lake. The Smith Lake Fishing Access Site provides direct access to the shore. The boat dock, paved gravel paths, and restroom facility at the site are accessible; picnic tables and a latrine are also available. Check the trail surface and current conditions at the site before your visit. The west-shore trail and the Fishing Access Site offer distinct practical reference points for a visit to the lake.

Trails and Views at Lone Pine State Park

Nearby Lone Pine State Park has 7.5 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. The trail options include four named activities. In clear weather, the park’s overlooks offer views of Flathead Lake, Big Mountain, the Jewel Basin, and Glacier National Park, as far as the Whitefish Mountain Ski Area. A public archery range with ten shooting stations on an 18-acre site adds to the options. If you want to focus your visit to the park, you can prioritize trail activities, overlooks, or archery.

Great Northern Historical Trail

The Great Northern Historical Trail offers a different emphasis. It runs 22.6 miles between Somers and Kila and partially follows the route of the former Great Northern Railway. The trail offers recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. The sections along the former railway route give the trail a historical connection and provide, alongside outdoor recreation, a point of interest for visitors interested in railroad history.

You can distinguish the options by interest and scale: birdwatching and shoreline at Smith Lake; a range of trail activities, overlooks, and archery at Lone Pine State Park; and the historic railway connection of the Great Northern Historical Trail. The distances also refer to different offerings: two miles for the paved section by the lake, 7.5 miles of trails in the park, and 22.6 miles for the trail between Somers and Kila. This can help you decide whether you would prefer to focus on a lakeside section, a park’s trail network, or a route between two towns.

Discover more destinations: Bigfork, Whitefish, Hungry Horse, Essex, Columbia Falls, Marion, West Glacier, Kalispell

For the main travel overview: Flathead.