Waking up on top of one of Idaho’s glorious mountain ranges just as the sun peeks over the horizon in a vibrant display of pink and orange is an exhilarating sight – especially when it’s from the comfort of a warm bed.
Rare, panoramic, and rustic, fire lookout towers have a fascinating history that goes back well over a century. From the ground up, each tower is its own unique architectural marvel – no two are the same! Fortunately, Idaho has always had the highest density of lookout stations in the country and today many of these rustic beauties are available to rent through the USFS for a quaint cabin-like camping experience with one of the most breathtaking views you could ever hope for. Perfect for those with a genuine love for the great outdoors and primitive recreation, a stay in a fire lookout tower is already one of our top bucket list items… but this one fire tower in North Idaho is a particularly special getaway and road trip destination. Check it out!
Shorty Peak was originally built in 1927, but updated in the 60s, making it one of the best maintained lookouts in the country.
Nestled in the lush Lower Kootenai River Area of Idaho’s Panhandle, this scenic beauty is surrounded by expansive mountain scenery on every side.
D. Taylor in Idaho/Flickr Montana’s Cabinet Range cascade to the east, the Purcell mountains of British Columbia fade into the north, and the rocky crags of Idaho’s Selkirks rise up to the west in a breathtaking panoramic view.
With four walls of windows and a 360-degree view, there’s seemingly nothing that you can’t see from up here.
In fact, you can see the twinkling lights of Creston, British Columbia in the distance.
No other lookout has such a unique and expansive view!
Navigating the trail by horseback is one of the best ways to get here.
Richard Austin However, other pets and animals are not allowed.
Beds, books, and views are all provided.
Alexandra M/Flickr While you’ll have a short hike to obtain water from a nearby spring, the lookout provides all the furnishings you need while still offering a primitive experience – a table, chairs, and beds are there for your convenience.
An Osborne Fire Finder helps visitors identify peaks (or scout for fires!)
Chris D 2006/Flickr
With so much beauty and solitude, the 2 1/2 mile hike to get here is worth it.
And the wildlife roaming free within an arm’s reach of the steps? Priceless.
But why stop with just one lookout? Visit them all!
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
Ready to see this view for yourself?
Sadly, fire towers and their U.S. Forest Service employee lookouts are a dying breed across the US, having recently been replaced by the modern technologies of heat sensing cameras, smoke-detecting software, GPS tracking, and more. In fact, only around 800 out of 2,500 lookout stations across the US are still manned, and thousands more have been demolished in recent years. Idaho is uniquely fortunate to have so many of them remaining!
D. Taylor in Idaho/Flickr
Montana’s Cabinet Range cascade to the east, the Purcell mountains of British Columbia fade into the north, and the rocky crags of Idaho’s Selkirks rise up to the west in a breathtaking panoramic view.
No other lookout has such a unique and expansive view!
Richard Austin
However, other pets and animals are not allowed.
Alexandra M/Flickr
While you’ll have a short hike to obtain water from a nearby spring, the lookout provides all the furnishings you need while still offering a primitive experience – a table, chairs, and beds are there for your convenience.
Chris D 2006/Flickr
And the wildlife roaming free within an arm’s reach of the steps? Priceless.
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
Keep in mind that reservations are needed to stay at Shorty Peak Lookout via the recreation.gov website. These beautiful towers are also on the National Register of Historic Places, so be responsible and use caution when staying here.
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