Campsite #1 at Gem Peak Lookout, MT

@ChereCB5F04122 · Camped on Sep 23, 2024 at Campsite #1

Easy to find. Clean. Hard to sleep the second night because of high winds and a window shutter (west side)that wouldnt stay closed. A few flies but not horrible. There is a battery powered light that uses 4 AA. Bring batteries with you. Nice Propane stove. I got up there fine with my Subaru Crosstrek

@PaulC8096585 · Camped on Jul 14, 2024 at Campsite #1

SETTING: Absolutely gorgeous!ROUTE: Good forest service road.SOLITUDE: Didnt see anyone during our three nights there.AMENITIES: Pit toilet was very clean. SECURITY: Nonexistent. No way to secure your belongings if you leave the tower. ENVIRONMENT: The fliesOMG! Bring your own fly swatter. Hundreds inside the tower upon arrival, but they disappeared as the sun set - then reappeared the next morning as the day warmed up. Great experience overall! If you venture into Trout Creek, the food at the Lakeside Motel and Resort was good.

@JanaeM81C684A2 · Camped on Sep 27, 2023 at Campsite #1

Not my first time here, but loved it regardless! Gem Peak is a truly a "Gem" and I love being on top of the mountains, with 360 degree views, and limited to no wifi! I love the sunsets and sunrises! I love the serene and peace that comes with this opportunity of being "on top of the world."Our night was a cold one! Rain, hail, wind gusts, fog, limited visability and a nice crackling hot fire from the wood stove. It was awesome. Spent the night here for my hub's birthday- only his second time in a look out. He works for USFS and used to be in charge of closing up and cleaning LO's, so its a new experience for him to stay overnight! Thanks USFS for these opportunities- they are priceless and I look forward every year to coming back. We left the LO much cleaner than we found it. Please, for those who stay- clean up after yourself. Wipe things down and sweep the bugs up after you leave. Its inevitable there will be bugs. Its inevitable there will be spiderwebs and things just need cleaned up. Please do your part so that staying in these awesome places is always an option and it sometimes only takes 1 person to ruin it for the rest of us. Adventure on! Get outside! GO play! Peace!

@NoelleKAC059DB · Camped on Sep 26, 2023 at Campsite #1

Wonderful lookout, will be back

@AnnaB8559934 · Camped on Aug 23, 2023 at Campsite #1

Great lookout! Need good tires to get all the way up there. The lookout is open to the public, so if you're there for a few days, expect visitors. Lots of flies during the day but they subside before sunset. No sign of rodents. Lots of hooks (compared to other lookouts) to hang lights, jackets, etc. Someone has left a 2 burner propane stove and minimal cooking supplies up there for people to use. Another pro is that the beds are on the opposite side of where the sun comes up, so you don't get roasted first thing in the morning.

@ToddS5367268 · Camped on Aug 18, 2023 at Campsite #1

What a beautiful and clean lookout! We enjoyed cooking delicious meals, picking huckleberries till our backs ached, and shopping in Thompson Falls. Due to the previous reviews, I was well prepared to be overrun by flies when we arrived at the lookout. Im happy to report we had zero issues with flies or bugs (even when there was no wind). The road to the lookout is well-marked, and the directions are easy to follow. The final 2.5 miles (after the Warming Hut) is pretty rough. I took a Ford Edge and made sure to take it slow. All tires survived the weekend! Service at the lookout will come and go (Verizon and AT&T) as our phones bounced back and forth between Montana and Idaho towers. Stop by Rode Haus Coffee in Trout Creek for a drink and yummy snack!

@TomC6900040 · Camped on Jun 28, 2023 at Campsite #1

The lookout tower was nice and the location was great. When I arrived the inside of the lookout had hundreds of flies buzzing around. I had several nights reserved and thought about leaving. Another one in the group left. I decided to stay. I spent several hours killing and cleaning out the flies. As the evening cooled down the seemed to subside. The next morning as it warmed back up the flies were back again. At that point I decided to leave and left several nights of reservations unused.
I saw in the comments others people had arrived at the lookout and immediately left because of the flies. I don't know how they were getting in or hatching in there. Maybe this does not occur year round.
It is nice to have the facility available and I would like to see it stay that way. It would be nice if the issue was addressed. I would like users to be aware of my experience and have a back up plan available.

@JuliaP1448072 · Camped on Aug 31, 2022 at Campsite #1

This experience exceeded our expectations. The lookout was very clean, and had amazing views of the mountains. We were blessed with a beautiful sunset and sunrise. Watched a storm roll thru then were able to enjoy gazing at the stars planets and Milky Way late into the night. Will definitely be renting a lookout again!

@RichardS712869 · Camped on Jul 26, 2022 at Campsite #1

lookout has great views, is clean and in good condition. the last 2 miles to gain access to the tower are pretty horrid. the road needs to be graded.

@RonR9814435 · Camped on Jul 22, 2022 at Campsite #1

A cancellation allowed us to reserve this lookout. This lookout deserves the designation "Gem" because it truly was. It was the largest of any towers we have stayed in and having been recently refurbished (new paint job, very clean inside the tower), it immediately jumped to #1 locations that we have stayed in... Even the vault toilet was exceptionally clean (although two grandsons spent a bout 20 minutes making it cleaner) so the stay at Gem Peak was exceptional. The tower was complete with cookstove, pots/pans, cleaning supplies, etc. Kudos to the Forest Service, or whoever provided that. Hopefully all visitors will leave it as clean as they find it. Access from Trout Creek was no problem with good roads. The last part of the road might benefit from high clearance. Great lookout, great views, great experience. Certainly worthy of a return visit!

@SusanC3925585 · Camped on Jul 12, 2022 at Campsite #1

Clean, beautiful tower with amazing views.

@AndyW4975919 · Camped on Oct 5, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great place, easy access from idaho side via the state line route by idaho point. Plenty of wood, though we brought extra. The wood stove was small, but more than up to the task of heating the small space.

@andyw853 · Camped on Oct 5, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great place, easy access from idaho side via the state line route by idaho point. Plenty of wood, though we brought extra. The wood stove was small, but more than up to the task of heating the small space.

@TerryM363 · Camped on Sep 8, 2021 at Campsite #1

A good solid lookout that's well cared for by the Cabinet Ranger District. There's hardly any vibration when walking around the catwalk or inside the cab making it a good platform for photography. The only thing I missed seeing was some cabinet space. There's not a single one, except for the base of the fire finder and it was already filled up with stuff. It might be a good idea to bring a camp table. There is room for one.

It was over an hour's drive from Noxon, so be prepared for that. But the roads were good and well signed, making it difficult to get lost. There was plenty of firewood for the wood stove but you have to carry it up three flights of stairs. Also, there was no axe for splitting, so don't forget to bring one. The stove heated the cab in a jiffy but there seemed to be a crack in the welding near the top far right corner that leaked smoke when the stove door was open. All in all, the positive aspects of Gem Point far outweigh the minor, negative ones, making it a trip you won't soon forget.

@TerryM5038212 · Camped on Sep 8, 2021 at Campsite #1

A good solid lookout that's well cared for by the Cabinet Ranger District. There's hardly any vibration when walking around the catwalk or inside the cab making it a good platform for photography. The only thing I missed seeing was some cabinet space. There's not a single one, except for the base of the fire finder and it was already filled up with stuff. It might be a good idea to bring a camp table. There is room for one.

It was over an hour's drive from Noxon, so be prepared for that. But the roads were good and well signed, making it difficult to get lost. There was plenty of firewood for the wood stove but you have to carry it up three flights of stairs. Also, there was no axe for splitting, so don't forget to bring one. The stove heated the cab in a jiffy but there seemed to be a crack in the welding near the top far right corner that leaked smoke when the stove door was open. All in all, the positive aspects of Gem Point far outweigh the minor, negative ones, making it a trip you won't soon forget.

@BradleyD194987 · Camped on Sep 2, 2021 at Campsite #1

Easily in my top 5 lookout experiences and quality of lookouts. I spent two days here just winding down although I do wish it could have been a few more. It's remote. Very remote. I didn't hear planes or helicopters though there was an active fire going almost due south roughly 10 miles away (Character Complex). I was fortunate in having very little smoke to obscure the view, but just enough to make the sunsets ridiculously colorful.

The two track is easily managed with a normal clearance vehicle if you take your time and avoid the 100's of potholes or at least take them slowly. I came from the northeast so had no issues navigating to the lookout; there is ample signage both to and from. Also, if you're worried there's decent GPS reception.

I think everyone's pet peeve with lookouts is the condition of the vault toilets. This one was immaculate, at least as much as that word can apply to a vault toilet for public use.

The lookout had two twin beds with soft covers on the mattresses which were both in good shape. The woodstove, which I did not need to use, appeared to be very well-maintained. All the windows were screened and functioned perfectly. Only a few panes were broken, but thoughtfully covered with plywood. And unfortunately there is no Osborne fire finder.

The gate about a 1/4 mile down from the lookout doesn't lock, but there is a sign that informs potential visitors to respect the occupants' privacy if it's closed. There is enough room to park 10 vehicles at the lookout.

@BradleyD616 · Camped on Sep 2, 2021 at Campsite #1

Easily in my top 5 lookout experiences and quality of lookouts. I spent two days here just winding down although I do wish it could have been a few more. It's remote. Very remote. I didn't hear planes or helicopters though there was an active fire going almost due south roughly 10 miles away (Character Complex). I was fortunate in having very little smoke to obscure the view, but just enough to make the sunsets ridiculously colorful.

The two track is easily managed with a normal clearance vehicle if you take your time and avoid the 100's of potholes or at least take them slowly. I came from the northeast so had no issues navigating to the lookout; there is ample signage both to and from. Also, if you're worried there's decent GPS reception.

I think everyone's pet peeve with lookouts is the condition of the vault toilets. This one was immaculate, at least as much as that word can apply to a vault toilet for public use.

The lookout had two twin beds with soft covers on the mattresses which were both in good shape. The woodstove, which I did not need to use, appeared to be very well-maintained. All the windows were screened and functioned perfectly. Only a few panes were broken, but thoughtfully covered with plywood. And unfortunately there is no Osborne fire finder.

The gate about a 1/4 mile down from the lookout doesn't lock, but there is a sign that informs potential visitors to respect the occupants' privacy if it's closed. There is enough room to park 10 vehicles at the lookout.

@RayH778 · Camped on Aug 4, 2021 at Campsite #1

Our experience was excellent! We drove our fully loaded Odyssey van up Marten Creek and drug bottom a few times. We drove out on Pilgrim Creek, and that was much smoother. Propane grill underneath cabin in good shape. BYOpropane. Cabin could use a rope pulley to lift goods from ground. Also rattle-proof window latches would be an improvement. Thanks to USFS!!!!!

@RayH7794737 · Camped on Aug 4, 2021 at Campsite #1

Our experience was excellent! We drove our fully loaded Odyssey van up Marten Creek and drug bottom a few times. We drove out on Pilgrim Creek, and that was much smoother. Propane grill underneath cabin in good shape. BYOpropane. Cabin could use a rope pulley to lift goods from ground. Also rattle-proof window latches would be an improvement. Thanks to USFS!!!!!

@JodyJ1677235 · Camped on Sep 7, 2020 at Campsite #1

The ride up to the cabin is rough. Go slow.

@JodyJ238 · Camped on Sep 7, 2020 at Campsite #1

The ride up to the cabin is rough. Go slow.

@NataliaB691 · Camped on Aug 9, 2020 at Campsite #1

The roads to get here were rough, but it was so worth it when you got to the top. This was my fourth lookout, and is now my second favorite in the area behind Minton Peak. We were able to comfortably sleep 6 and a dog; a couple of them on the floor of the lookout. The spot was beautiful, and the lookout had a handful of amenities and gadgets left behind by previous visitors. Highly recommend!

@NataliaB252549 · Camped on Aug 9, 2020 at Campsite #1

The roads to get here were rough, but it was so worth it when you got to the top. This was my fourth lookout, and is now my second favorite in the area behind Minton Peak. We were able to comfortably sleep 6 and a dog; a couple of them on the floor of the lookout. The spot was beautiful, and the lookout had a handful of amenities and gadgets left behind by previous visitors. Highly recommend!

@RachealS391 · Camped on Aug 4, 2019 at Campsite #1

Do NOT follow google maps! Coming from Coeur D Alene it took us on a deadly forest road. Climbing over large sharp rocks on a narrow road, make a wrong move and you will tumble down the cliff. Pay CLOSE attention to the roads to be taken on your booking instructions. My fault, but the roads listed were coming from the north, so I thought they were suggestions from nearby towns. This was my first time staying in a lookout. The lookout itself was decent. A picnic table would have been nice. Unfortunately it had lots of flies and some windows were busted out when we were there. Even if we were able to get the flies out they would come right back in through a window. We hung out for a while and opted to leave before dark in order to ensure we found a safer route home and get away from the flies. Plugging the road on the instructions from booking we found a very pleasant route home. If the windows weren’t broken I feel we would have had a wonderful time. The area is beautiful and would have been great for ATV riding and such. Our dog enjoyed our few hours there immensely! Please don’t follow google maps. Lots of people commented in the check in book that the road they took was deadly and terrifying, but I didn’t see it in a review when we went so it doesn’t help if you don’t get the information until you’ve already taken the ride. I hope this post prevents others from having the same experience.