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
Gary E
VerifiedAugust 6, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Good
Gary E
VerifiedAugust 6, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Good
Gary E
VerifiedAugust 6, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Good
Barry B
VerifiedAugust 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
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 mi 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!
Barry B
VerifiedAugust 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
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 mi 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!
Barry B
VerifiedAugust 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
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 mi 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!
Terry M
VerifiedJuly 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
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!
Terry M
VerifiedJuly 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
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!
Terry M
VerifiedJuly 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
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!
Brent H
VerifiedJuly 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SHORTY PEAK LOOKOUT
Awesomeness 😊👍
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
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