Campsite #1 at Shorty Peak Lookout, ID

@TheaEB36BA104F · Camped on Jun 26, 2025 at Campsite #1

My boyfriend and I were set to spend two nights here. We had a family emergency and had to leave just three hours after getting to the lookout. Though we didnt spend any nights, I still wanted to leave a review for what we did experience. When I was reserving this, I felt like the pictures of the inside of the lookout seemed really underwhelming and blurry, so I wanted to be able to provide better, more telling pictures for future guests of this cabin. I took only a few pictures before we got our call telling us to get back home asap. This was our first stay at any sort of mountain lookout. It was super fun to be inside one and feel on top of the world. The weather was cloudy and windy but with patches of sunshine. Mosquitoes were horrendous at the trailhead but nonexistent at the lookout for us. We used Apple Maps for directions, and as other reviewers have mentioned, you definitely need to compare to this sites written directions to get the correct start of the trek. We found it no problem though. We didnt get to see the spring but the signage there was clear along the way to the lookout. There is a fire pit by the lookout with a grate. The outhouse looked in good condition. I left behind tp in the cabin. There is a good amount of tools & games in the lookout. The guest book is fun to flip through. We toyed with fixing up a window crank while there & wanted to find a way to help the door open/close better but ran out of our very short time. There is plenty of firewood up there from renovations this spring. There is also some drinking water, fuel for a backpacking stove, bug spray, etc. There is also a broom & bucket & brush to clean with. I swept the place once we got there and disinfected surfaces so we left it pretty clean. Lastly, the twin bed frames are not movable, but the table and its 2 chairs are. There are also a couple benches. Saw a couple elk on the drive but no major wildlife on the hike. No snow on the drive or hike.

@TiffanyND191F9 · Camped on Jun 25, 2024 at Campsite #1

Great cabin with amazing 360 degree views!

@RebeccaRC89AED · Camped on Jul 1, 2023 at Campsite #1

Lookout in immaculate shape as always ! 3rd time up here and the mosquitoes always kill on the way up but the top is always worth it

@GraniteA186939 · Camped on Jul 6, 2022 at Campsite #1

Greatly enjoyed my stay here with a friend. Was an excellent chance to slow down and enjoy life!

@MarcusB2806217 · Camped on Aug 15, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great experience. It's a 2.6 mile hike up. About 1300' elevation gain. Trail is rough in spots. It winds through heavy timber for most of the way. The trail to the spring branches off about 1/2 mile before the summit and it's about a 1/2 mile down that trail to the spring. The spring is probably about 800 feet below the lookout. The lookout is in good shape, has two single beds with fairly comfortable mattresses. There is no stove for heat or otherwise. There is a table, a couple of chairs, and a bureau with drawers and doors which contains some various gear left for everyone to use. The outhouse is a bit of a hike down about 200 yards. The views from the lookout are amazing. You can see in all directions, as well as get a good view of parts of the Kootenai River Valley. Excellent view of the Lions Head, a stunning peak in the heart of the Idaho Selkirks.

@MarcusB121 · Camped on Aug 15, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great experience. It's a 2.6 mile hike up. About 1300' elevation gain. Trail is rough in spots. It winds through heavy timber for most of the way. The trail to the spring branches off about 1/2 mile before the summit and it's about a 1/2 mile down that trail to the spring. The spring is probably about 800 feet below the lookout. The lookout is in good shape, has two single beds with fairly comfortable mattresses. There is no stove for heat or otherwise. There is a table, a couple of chairs, and a bureau with drawers and doors which contains some various gear left for everyone to use. The outhouse is a bit of a hike down about 200 yards. The views from the lookout are amazing. You can see in all directions, as well as get a good view of parts of the Kootenai River Valley. Excellent view of the Lions Head, a stunning peak in the heart of the Idaho Selkirks.

@DesiS710 · Camped on Sep 27, 2020 at Campsite #1

Weather turned out amazing !! Sunset and sunrise were spectacular. Late September so a little chilly. Brought hand and feet warmers. Brought battery lights to hand in lookout. Couple games in cabin to play which was much appreciated. Lol cattle on road were very stubborn! But got to trailhead easy, road was well Maintained. Hike has a pretty good elevation gain 🥵 but totally worth it.

@DesiS1384704 · Camped on Sep 27, 2020 at Campsite #1

Weather turned out amazing !! Sunset and sunrise were spectacular. Late September so a little chilly. Brought hand and feet warmers. Brought battery lights to hand in lookout. Couple games in cabin to play which was much appreciated. Lol cattle on road were very stubborn! But got to trailhead easy, road was well Maintained. Hike has a pretty good elevation gain 🥵 but totally worth it.

@BrettB6065474 · Camped on Aug 12, 2020 at Campsite #1

Absolutely loved our stay at Shorty Peak! The 2.5 mile hike in isn’t too bad, just the first .25 miles and the last .25 miles are slightly steep. The lookout itself was immaculately clean as well as the outhouse, which was a nice surprise. The current configuration was two twin beds and a table. Was hoping for a stove/fireplace like Little Guard, but we were never cold at night, even when the temp dropped to about mid-40’s overnight. Great view of Creston, BC at night.

@BrettB168 · Camped on Aug 12, 2020 at Campsite #1

Absolutely loved our stay at Shorty Peak! The 2.5 mile hike in isn’t too bad, just the first .25 miles and the last .25 miles are slightly steep. The lookout itself was immaculately clean as well as the outhouse, which was a nice surprise. The current configuration was two twin beds and a table. Was hoping for a stove/fireplace like Little Guard, but we were never cold at night, even when the temp dropped to about mid-40’s overnight. Great view of Creston, BC at night.

@BarryB462 · Camped on Jul 25, 2020 at Campsite #1

We were pleasantly surprised at how clean the fire tower was inside. It made you proud of our backpacking community, you could tell guests had left things better than they found them. Previous guests also generously left a few needed supplies stashed in the room (which came in handy) and there were also some games. The guys were so excited to find poker chips! One of the coolest features was the mapping tool still in the tower from the 1930's. There is a guest book which we forgot to sign :( Bathroom is a bit of a rocky trek from the tower at night (esp in Grizzly territory) and smelled awful (when do they not?) but other than that it was definitely a fun and memorable experience. We never did hike in to the spring, which is a side-trail about 1/2 mile from the top, so can't say much for the water supply or the length of the trail to the spring. We packed all our water in and managed to get by. But, it is the only potential water source up there and would be bit of a hike from the tower if you didn't get it on your way up.
The morning sunrise is pretty intense as you're up on a peak and the windows have no UV protection/tinting. I recommend sunglasses or that big orange fiery ball will stare right at you!

@BarryB5514346 · Camped on Jul 25, 2020 at Campsite #1

We were pleasantly surprised at how clean the fire tower was inside. It made you proud of our backpacking community, you could tell guests had left things better than they found them. Previous guests also generously left a few needed supplies stashed in the room (which came in handy) and there were also some games. The guys were so excited to find poker chips! One of the coolest features was the mapping tool still in the tower from the 1930's. There is a guest book which we forgot to sign :( Bathroom is a bit of a rocky trek from the tower at night (esp in Grizzly territory) and smelled awful (when do they not?) but other than that it was definitely a fun and memorable experience. We never did hike in to the spring, which is a side-trail about 1/2 mile from the top, so can't say much for the water supply or the length of the trail to the spring. We packed all our water in and managed to get by. But, it is the only potential water source up there and would be bit of a hike from the tower if you didn't get it on your way up.
The morning sunrise is pretty intense as you're up on a peak and the windows have no UV protection/tinting. I recommend sunglasses or that big orange fiery ball will stare right at you!

@BrentH8002364 · Camped on Jul 18, 2020 at Campsite #1

Awesomeness 😊👍

@BrentH750 · Camped on Jul 18, 2020 at Campsite #1

Awesomeness 😊👍

@TerryM507 · Camped on Jul 15, 2020 at Campsite #1

Thank you forest service for keeping Shorty Lookout our favorite place to unwind! This was our 5th trip so you know we love it! The stars, Milky Way and the Comet were amazing!

@TerryM5038212 · Camped on Jul 15, 2020 at Campsite #1

Thank you forest service for keeping Shorty Lookout our favorite place to unwind! This was our 5th trip so you know we love it! The stars, Milky Way and the Comet were amazing!

@MikeB2167342 · Camped on Jul 3, 2020 at Campsite #1

Wonderful stay, lookout is in great shape and clean!

@MikeB292 · Camped on Jul 3, 2020 at Campsite #1

Wonderful stay, lookout is in great shape and clean!

@ChristopherB59 · Camped on Aug 21, 2019 at Campsite #1

Short on water but work the hike.

@JanetP478 · Camped on Jul 24, 2019 at Campsite #1

We love staying at this lookout. This year, we went after a big storm. It was so pleasant to see the weather clear and the stars come out. You really feel like you are isolated from the rest of the world. The lights of Creston BC can be seen in the distance. The lookout is in good shape, and is built on a rock so is not high off the ground. There are two single beds with mattresses, but it is sometimes fun just to sleep out on the deck. Bring something to carry water because the spring is back down the trail a short ways -- the only steep part of the trail of course!

@JanetP1353317 · Camped on Jul 24, 2019 at Campsite #1

We love staying at this lookout. This year, we went after a big storm. It was so pleasant to see the weather clear and the stars come out. You really feel like you are isolated from the rest of the world. The lights of Creston BC can be seen in the distance. The lookout is in good shape, and is built on a rock so is not high off the ground. There are two single beds with mattresses, but it is sometimes fun just to sleep out on the deck. Bring something to carry water because the spring is back down the trail a short ways -- the only steep part of the trail of course!