Thompson Falls

Thompson Falls is a city of 1,300 people in Montana. The city sits next to natural waterfalls on the Clark Fork river.

Get in

Thompson Falls is on Montana Highway 200. It is 100 miles north of Missoula and 85 miles south of Sandpoint, Idaho.

The nearest commercial airport is in Missoula.

Get around

Most businesses are along the highway. They are spread out so using a car or bike is best.

Eat

• 1 Minnies Montana Cafe, 915 Main Sreet, ☏ +1 406-827-3747. M–Sa 7AM–9PM, Su 7AM–8PM. Old-school American diner, with huge portions. Breakfast served all day. Meat-heavy, though there are a few barely-vegetarian options. entrees $10-15. (updated Aug 2017)

Sleep

• Falls Motel, 112 South Gallatin, toll-free: +1-800-521-2184. New mattresses, a hot tub, wi-fi, cable (HBO, ESPN), DVD player, microwave, refrigerator, coffee and tea in room. 

Connect

• Thompson Falls Public Library, 911 Main St, ☏ +1 406 827-3547. Tu-Th 10AM-6PM, F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Computers with internet access are available for the public. Wifi available 24/7. Free. 

Go next

• Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, I-90 Exit 0 (40 miles west on Montana 471, through the mountains so drive takes 1.5 hours), ☏ +1 208 744-1301, Info@SkiLookout.com. Voted most family-friendly ski area in the Pacific Northwest. Soft opening in November moving to being open daily. Season usually ends by April. Ticketed summer lift rides with free frisbee golf course at the summit, or huckleberry picking in August. (updated Jul 2023)
• Route of the Hiawatha scenic bike trail (operated by Lookout Pass Ski area) is a 15 mile, mostly downhill rail-to-trail. There are 10 dark tunnels and 7 sky-high trestles.

Routes through Thompson Falls

Sandpoint ← becomes ←

W  E

→ Ravalli, jct → Missoula