Cooks Lake

Cooks Lake, tucked up in the mountains near Bonners Ferry, is a beautiful spot if you’re looking to relax or do some fishing. The road is primarily easy and graded, but the closer to the lake you get, the rougher the terrain. At one point, you will need to squeeze by a pretty sketchy 3–4 foot-deep hole that takes up one side of the trail with a drop-off on the other. There’s barely enough room for a 4Runner to get through, but you need to be very precise with your tire placement. Anything larger than a midsize SUV isn’t recommended due to this obstacle.

The drive up is stunning, offering views of the forest and an abundance of wildflowers in the summer. Much of the road is a narrow shelf road that winds through trees and brush as you climb past 5,500 feet. At the end of the trail, there’s a small campsite, and from there you can hike a short distance (1/4 mile one-way) up to the lake if your rig isn’t equipped for the steep, rocky section to get to the lake. Quads and side-by-sides can usually make it right up to the water’s edge, but for full-size vehicles, you’ll need high clearance, 4WD, and low range to tackle this section. Otherwise, it’s a quick hike on foot.