About Shorty Peak Lookout
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Views and Setting
- View
001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
- 4 guests
Site Details
Reviews (68)
What Guests Are Saying
Visitors to Shorty Peak Lookout enjoyed stunning views and a memorable experience, with highlights including sightings of the northern lights and an overall sense of adventure during the hike. While some noted challenges such as spider infestations and bugs on the trail, many appreciated the lookout's cleanliness and available amenities. Overall, guests found their stay worthwhile, appreciating the beautiful scenery and the chance to connect with nature.
What Guests Are Saying
Visitors to Shorty Peak Lookout enjoyed stunning views and a memorable experience, with highlights including sightings of the northern lights and an overall sense of adventure during the hike. While some noted challenges such as spider infestations and bugs on the trail, many appreciated the lookout's cleanliness and available amenities. Overall, guests found their stay worthwhile, appreciating the beautiful scenery and the chance to connect with nature.
Review Summary
Paul O
VerifiedOctober 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Had a great stay (2 nights) at Shorty Peak. I believe we were maybe the last for the season. Saw the northern lights on the first night, and we got snow on night 2, so winter must not be far off. Was cold, but that’s better than buggy in my book. Long hike up the hill, so be prepared and don’t overpack, but bring everything you’ll need. Excellent views at the top! All in all, we had a great time!
Paul O
VerifiedOctober 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Had a great stay (2 nights) at Shorty Peak. I believe we were maybe the last for the season. Saw the northern lights on the first night, and we got snow on night 2, so winter must not be far off. Was cold, but that’s better than buggy in my book. Long hike up the hill, so be prepared and don’t overpack, but bring everything you’ll need. Excellent views at the top! All in all, we had a great time!
Paul O
VerifiedOctober 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Had a great stay (2 nights) at Shorty Peak. I believe we were maybe the last for the season. Saw the northern lights on the first night, and we got snow on night 2, so winter must not be far off. Was cold, but that’s better than buggy in my book. Long hike up the hill, so be prepared and don’t overpack, but bring everything you’ll need. Excellent views at the top! All in all, we had a great time!
Angie C
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
The view from this lookout is spectacular. The hike was great--a couolesteep spots, but it was pretty easy. The reason we're not rating this 5 stars is because the tower is infested with spiders. Infested. We killed hundreds and hundreds, but when they come out at night there no escaping them. The beds were pretty worse for the wear. We didnt expect a five star hotel, but next time we'd take a tent to set up inside the tower. There's nowhere outside for a tent--too many rocks. It was a gorgeous view, but not much sleep was had by anyone because they were too busy swatting spiders! 😆
Angie C
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
The view from this lookout is spectacular. The hike was great--a couolesteep spots, but it was pretty easy. The reason we're not rating this 5 stars is because the tower is infested with spiders. Infested. We killed hundreds and hundreds, but when they come out at night there no escaping them. The beds were pretty worse for the wear. We didnt expect a five star hotel, but next time we'd take a tent to set up inside the tower. There's nowhere outside for a tent--too many rocks. It was a gorgeous view, but not much sleep was had by anyone because they were too busy swatting spiders! 😆
Angie C
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
The view from this lookout is spectacular. The hike was great--a couolesteep spots, but it was pretty easy. The reason we're not rating this 5 stars is because the tower is infested with spiders. Infested. We killed hundreds and hundreds, but when they come out at night there no escaping them. The beds were pretty worse for the wear. We didnt expect a five star hotel, but next time we'd take a tent to set up inside the tower. There's nowhere outside for a tent--too many rocks. It was a gorgeous view, but not much sleep was had by anyone because they were too busy swatting spiders! 😆
Danielle J
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Awesome stay! Be prepared for a workout on your way up. Absolutely worth it though!
Danielle J
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Awesome stay! Be prepared for a workout on your way up. Absolutely worth it though!
Danielle J
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Awesome stay! Be prepared for a workout on your way up. Absolutely worth it though!
Michael W
VerifiedAugust 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Amazing lookout very well kept up. My only advice is to bring bug spray for the hike out to the lookout. It's a buggy trail. But the huckleberry were huge.
Location & Directions for Shorty Peak Lookout
6286 Main Street, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 United States
Elevation: 1,940 ft
Getting There
From the Bonners Ferry Ranger Station: Take Highway 95 north for 17 mi. Turn left onto Highway 1 and head north for 2 mi. Turn left onto Copeland Road and head west for 4 mi. Stay right at the T junction and continue north on Westside Road for 9 ...
From the Bonners Ferry Ranger Station: Take Highway 95 north for 17 mi. Turn left onto Highway 1 and head north for 2 mi. Turn left onto Copeland Road and head west for 4 mi. Stay right at the T junction and continue north on Westside Road for 9 mi. Stay to the left around the switchback, onto Forest Road 281, then drive west for 8 mi. Turn right on Road 655 and drive west 1.5 mi. Stay right again at the switchback, heading east 1 mi on Rd 282. Go
straight at the next junction, and continue northeast on Road 282 for 4 mi. Park at the trailhead on top of the saddle before the locked gate. Hike 2.5 mi up the trail to the west to reach the lookout.
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Last updated: October 22, 2026