Elisabeth Brentano worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this travel tip.
If you are keen to get off the grid and willing to put in some work, an overnight stay at a fire lookout might be a perfect adventure. Not only are guests rewarded with wildlife sightings and panoramic views of Idaho’s pristine national forests, but these historic lookouts offer some comforts of home, such as beds and stoves, making for an even more memorable experience in the wilderness.
More than a dozen lookouts in Idaho can be booked online. You may be able to snag a last-minute cancellation in the weeks before your trip, but reservations generally fill up the date they’re made available for booking. Keep an eye on Recreation.gov in December to secure a spot for the following summer.
High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended, as all lookouts in this article are accessed via narrow, steep forest service roads with sharp rocks and potholes. As you’re driving, it’s important to make a mental note of where pullouts are located, and it’s always a good idea to have both offline and paper maps handy. Most of the lookouts do not have electricity or potable water nearby, so that’s another important consideration, especially for the hike-in spots.
All the lookouts mentioned in this article are in black bear country, with several deep in the heart of grizzly bear habitat. Carrying bear spray is a must, and in addition to making plenty of noise when hiking, it is imperative to store food properly. Whether it’s inside the lookout or at a fire ring outside, keeping a clean camp ensures you won’t have any surprise visitors. Guests must pack out all trash, and it’s important to pay attention to any local restrictions for campfires.
This may seem like a long list of details, but if you do your homework, the payoff is well worth it. Here is the scoop on 12 fire lookout rentals throughout Idaho, presented from the easiest to access to the more remote outlooks.
Surveyors Lookout
Surveyors Lookout is a drive-up tower with a full gas stove and oven, plus sunrise views and kitchen amenities that make for an enjoyable stay. The last half mile of the road to Surveyors gets a bit rough, but as long as you go slow, it’s manageable. Please note that this area is also home to black bears. Rangers advise guests to lock all food and toiletries in their cars at night. The closest town with services is St. Regis, Montana, which is over two and a half hours away.
Arid Peak Lookout
The hike to Arid Peak Lookout is about five miles round-trip with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. While it requires a bit more effort than a drive-up spot, it offers guests far more solitude. There is a small spring near the tower, but it often dries up. Many guests opt to hike back to the trailhead for a resupply run on the second day, as trekking through the forest is far more enjoyable with a day pack. A two-hour drive away, Avery is the closest town with services.
Lookout Butte Lookout
Lookout Butte Lookout is currently closed for repairs.
Standing 60 feet above the ground, Lookout Butte tower offers unbeatable views of the nearby Seven Devils Mountains and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The drive through the communities of Clearwater and Big Cedar is surprisingly mellow, but hauling supplies up five flights of stairs can be a workout. The closest town with services is Kooskia, which is about an hour away.
Deadwood Lookout
Less than three hours from Boise, Deadwood is one of the most popular lookouts in the state. The beginning of Forest Service Road 555 may seem narrow and sketchy, but it becomes much smoother after another mile or so. The lookout cabin has a wood stove for heating and cooking, but firewood is not provided. Scott Mountain, Julie Creek and Nellie’s Basin are the most popular trails in the area. The closest town with services is Lowman, about an hour away.
Castle Butte Lookout
Castle Butte Lookout was rebuilt in 1950, and the cabin offers sweeping vistas of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the Seven Devils Mountains. This is a drive-up lookout located two miles off the Lolo Trail National Historic Landmark Corridor, which is usable by both hikers and OHVs. The closest town with services is Kooskia, approximately two and a half hours away.
Lunch Peak Lookout
Lunch Peak Lookout boasts views of the Selkirk Mountains and Lake Pend Oreille, just steps from the Pend Oreille Divide Trail #67. This drive-up cabin has a three-night maximum stay limit, and guests are advised to bring their own camp stoves, as this lookout does not provide one. The closest gas station is an hour away in the town of Hope, and more services, including restaurants and hotels, can be found in Sandpoint.
Bald Mountain Lookout
Bald Mountain Lookout stands 50 feet above the ground, offering a thrilling perspective of the surrounding landscape. In addition to a small network of hiking trails nearby, this drive-up tower is located off the White Pine Scenic Byway, which is a spectacular 80-mile route. The closest towns with services are Potlatch and Deary, both of which are about an hour’s drive away.
Little Guard Lookout
Little Guard Lookout is currently closed for repairs.
Stay the night in this fire lookout in the Idaho Panhandle, where guests are treated to views of the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River and the Bitterroot Mountains. This drive-up cabin is a half mile from Shoshone Ridge Trail #81, which offers access to Pond Peak, a nearly seven-mile trek with 1,400 feet of elevation gain. Wallace, which is less than two hours away, has fuel and a handful of charming eateries.
Deer Ridge Lookout
Deer Ridge Lookout is yet another fantastic drive-up option, and the gravel road to the tower is well-maintained. Cooking is not permitted inside the lookout, so guests are advised to bring a stove and a portable camp table for food preparation. The lookout is less than an hour’s drive from the town of Bonners Ferry, which has full services.
Shorty Peak Lookout
The hike to Shorty Peak Lookout is just over five miles round-trip with 1,300 feet of elevation gain. Those willing to trek through grizzly bear habitat are rewarded with views of the Selkirk and Purcell mountains. While there is a spring about a mile from the cabin, it isn’t always flowing, so guests should bring plenty of water. The nearest town with services is Bonners Ferry, which is about an hour away.
Bonus: Airbnb Lookouts
Visitors can also rent privately owned lookouts through Airbnb. While Crystal Peak Lookout near Fernwood is more expensive than a Forest Service lookout, it’s more luxurious and easier to reserve at the last minute. Amenities include a wood-burning sauna, an outdoor shower and a pump sink. The only challenge is the last quarter mile of the road to the lookout, as a 4×4 vehicle is necessary to navigate the steep, rocky terrain. Moon Pass Lookouts features five newly built lookout towers near Wallace. Towers feature full-size beds, kitchens, bathrooms, wood-burning stoves and glass roofs to enjoy the night skies. The property also features a central sauna and fire pit.
In addition to checking with local ranger stations about fire restrictions and road and trail conditions, please familiarize yourself with the Travel With Care principles. Help keep Idaho’s public lands wild and beautiful for many years to come.
Feature image credited to Elisabeth Brentano.
Elisabeth Brentano is a writer and photographer based in California, but her passion for nature takes her all over the world to produce travel and environmental content. You can follow her on Instagram at @elisabethontheroad.
Updated November 2025.
Published on January 5, 2021