Sanders County, Montana is located in western Montana. It is the home of approximately 11,000 residents. The county was established in 1905 and named after the pioneer and Montana Senator Wilbur Fisk Sanders. There is 1,510 road miles within the county. The county is the 18th largest in the state of Montana. Sanders County contains an impressive 1,733,000 acres, which consists of National Forrest lands, private property, and several communities. Those communities and Census designated places within Sanders County include the following; Heron, Noxon, Thompson Falls (county seat), Hot Springs, Plains, Paradise, Dixon, Lonepine, Niarada, Old Agency, and Trout Creek. The Clark Fork River runs through Sanders County on the way to the mighty Columbia River.