Noxon - Is it worth a visit? (Missoula, Kalispell: 2015, to rent)

[KingCnut66]

Hi there - I am planning a trip to the USA next year and would love to visit my namesake town of NOXON. As I have never been anywhere near this part of the world before I would love to know what there is to see and do in the area,what to expect etc. Any suggestions? Does anyone know of the history of the town, how it got its name etc? Thanks for any info..

[MTSilvertip]

I don't know much about the history of the town outside of the Trapping and Logging history, and the Big Burn of 1910, but it's a nice little place in a fantastically beautiful area.
Noxon Reservoir has great fishing including largemouth bass, and it's a great jumping off place for hiking in the Cabinet Mountains. Check out the Ross Creek Cedars to the north too.

Depending on what you like, there's a lot of wildlife in the area including Grizzly bears so be careful if you hike.

If you like mystery, that area has about the highest concentration of Bigfoot sightings as well

Thompson Falls and Troy are both nearby and delightful little towns.

Well worth the visit, but there are few amenities.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

^^^ from Silvertip! Of course you must visit Noxon, and have somebody take a picture of you next to a Noxon sign! There is a small town center by the river, with a park. Good photo opportunities. Coming from the UK you will, by the time you get to Noxon, probably already have been amazed that so many small towns in the Western part of the US look like towns in Western movies, with the rectangular buildings with wood or brick fronts of businesses, and the wide streets. In a sense the Old West still exists, and Noxon is no exception. If you don't know any Western movies, watch a few classics before coming over, such as "Shane."

The nearest hotels that I'm familiar with would be the Clark Fork Lodge in Clark Fork, Idaho, and the Amber Bear Inn in Heron. Off the top of my head I don't remember if there are any in Noxon, but there may be a hotel or a bed & breakfast in Trout Creek, and definitely in Thompson Falls. Thompson Falls is named after David Thompson, a British lad who traveled to Canada and became one of the greatest trailblazers and cartographers on the continent.

I don't know the history of Noxon, but I'll see what I can find out for you. How much time are you planning to spend in the area? There are some really spectacular places to visit, especially if you like scenery and have an interest in the American West.

How are you planning to get around? You probably know that public transportation is not what you are used to in England and Europe. If you're comfortable driving on the right, the best way to get something out of such a trip is to rent a car in a bigger city such as Spokane, Kalispell or Missoula, and drive around, with a good map and a GPS. It's generally easy to find your way.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Noxon on YouTube!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nbsgUI-LlBk

[Tuck's Dad]

I was just there last weekend meeting with my builder. The area is beautiful, but Noxon is SMALL. maybe 25 buildings total. It is small town Amercana from a different time/era - but that's why I am retiring there!

There is a hotel on Hwy 200 tied to the gas station/quick mart. It sits right on the Clark Fork river, but isn't a scenic place. Rooms are clean, a little on the small side, beds are some what cheap (quality), and the price is under $80 US per night. On balance, not a bad place for a nights sleep, but not somewhere I would want to stay for a week.

There is also a hotel in Noxon proper, but I have never been inside. Outside looks far to "rustic" for me (i.e. it looks run down!).

The Amber Bear Inn is... well hidden... Expect about 5 miles of dirt roads to get there, but the locatiopn and veiws are nice. I have never eaten or stayed there, but it seems to be "the" local place for hotel/dining.

They have an anual bluegrass music festival in the Noxon area: Big Sky Blues but other than that, I believe most of the entertainment is the scenery and outdoor activities like hiking, camping, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, hunting, etc.

I was on a motorcyle trip with my adult kids, and we road from Missouola to Noxon on Hwy 200 (I-90 to US 93 to US 200), and that may have been the most scenic mile for mile drive on our route (we went to Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier - it's worth the drive!).

Sandpoint ID is about 40 minutes away and has a variety services, restaraunts, shops, hotels, etc. ranging from unique to standard chain stuff, so you have a wide range of options.

Oh, and a heads up, maps, roads, and directions in the US are directional based (N, S, E, W) not city based like in Germany/europe. Since the geographic based directions in europe were confusing until I got familiar with the area, you may find the directional orientaion of US maps, etc to be a bit confusing initially.

We are building our home now, and should be ther permanently NLT June 2015, so as it get closer to your visit, send me a note. I'll buy you an ice cream at the pantry, and show you around - it won't take a long time!

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Tuck's Dad, we drove by on 56 a few weeks ago, and I was wondering if one of the construction sites was yours! Best of luck with the building process. I know how tough it is to watch your new home rising--in absentia, looking at e-mailed pictures from your builder! You just want to go there and camp out and watch the entire process...Our place in Clark Fork is also closer to being completed.

Glad you could supply info about the hotels in Noxon. I thought there had to be something. We had planned on having a farewell dinner at the Amber Bear this time, but something came up. Next time, for sure!

Yes, the stretch on 200 from Plains to Heron, and further to Sandpoint, is one of the most scenic roads in the entire country, I'm sure. We're so privileged to be able to think of it as "the way home"!

PS My 2014 Montana calendar from FarCountry Press has as its September picture my favorite view from Highway 56, the Cabinet Wilderness!

[Tuck's Dad]

View from my lot. Love the area!

[MTSilvertip]

Originally Posted by Tuck's Dad

Attachment 135721

View from my lot. Love the area!

That grade looks a little steep in your picture, might have to cut and fill to put up your cabin

[Tuck's Dad]

Bull river is off to the right. It will work very well for year round living!

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by Tuck's Dad

Attachment 135721

View from my lot. Love the area!

Beautiful! Is the mountain view toward the west? If so, we may be looking at the same mountains from our front porch, only from the Idaho side.

Originally Posted by MTSilvertip

That grade looks a little steep in your picture, might have to cut and fill to put up your cabin

So the Cabs are steep. Get used to it!