Early settlement of the Tobacco Valley by Europeans was tied to the extension of the Great Northern Railroad from Columbia Falls to the Town of Rexford. This railroad link was started in 1901 and completed in 1904. It was built to connect the Fernie Branch Railroad which hugged the east bank of the Kootenai River to gain better access to British Columbia. Following the completion of the line, trains brought in farmers from the eastern states. However, the biggest result of the arrival of rail service was access to lumber markets and the development of a timber economy in the Tobacco Valley area.

Fast forward to 1997, when Sunburst began a collaborative effort with various agencies to establish the Kootenai Rails-to-Trail from downtown Eureka to Lake Koocanusa along this same railroad line. Sunburst, along with the US Corps of Engineers, the US Forest Service, the Tobacco Valley Ranch landowner and the railroad, gathered permits and agreements needed to have a continuous 7.5 mile public trail suitable for walking, cycling and horseback riding.

The US Forest Service clears brush and fallen trees, and the Tobacco Valley Ranch deeded an easement to Sunburst to insure the continuity of the trail. Benches, a picnic table and restrooms are available along the trail. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks helped fund improvements on the trail. Interpretive signs were built, developed and designed through efforts from an Eagle Scout, a local graphics artist, a Forest Service interpreter, a local historian, a Scout leader, and a YCC crew! The Kootenai Rails-to-Trail is definitely a community effort that benefits not only Tobacco Valley residents but visitors as well. Take time to explore this trail and its route along the beautiful Tobacco River.

Sunburst continues to support the trail’s value to our community by enhancing signage, doing seasonal clean-up and holding fundraisers to cover expenses for portions of the Kootenai Rails-to-Trail.