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
Brett B
VerifiedAugust 18, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Absolutely loved our stay at Shorty Peak! The 2.5 mi hike in isn’t too bad, just the first .25 mi and the last .25 mi 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.
Mike B
VerifiedOctober 1, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Wonderful stay, lookout is in great shape and clean!
Mike B
VerifiedOctober 1, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Wonderful stay, lookout is in great shape and clean!
Mike B
VerifiedOctober 1, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Wonderful stay, lookout is in great shape and clean!
Desi S
VerifiedOctober 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
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.
Desi S
VerifiedOctober 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
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.
Desi S
VerifiedOctober 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
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.
Marcus B
VerifiedAugust 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Great experience. It's a 2.6 mi 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 mi before the summit and it's about a 1/2 mi down that trail to the spring. The spring is probably about 800 ft 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.
Marcus B
VerifiedAugust 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Great experience. It's a 2.6 mi 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 mi before the summit and it's about a 1/2 mi down that trail to the spring. The spring is probably about 800 ft 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.
Marcus B
VerifiedAugust 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Great experience. It's a 2.6 mi 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 mi before the summit and it's about a 1/2 mi down that trail to the spring. The spring is probably about 800 ft 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.
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