Bald Mountain Lookout (Nez Perce-clearwater National Forests, ID)

Our family of 4 stayed for 2 nights and it was amazing. A couple things, yes people do come up to the lookout during your stay. Overall however our stay was pretty quiet. We had 2 set of grandparents with their grand kids come up on 4wheelers to pick huckleberries. They were very nice and didnt stay long. We did have a couple show up at midnight asking to come up the tower. I was not very happy and came out, pistol on hip and politely told them to get bent. The road is honestly not as bad as most say, we drive our 1 ton diesel. However I will say, the road to the lookout from the emida side is 100x faster, not as steep and narrow and smoother.

Our family of 4 stayed for 2 nights and it was amazing. A couple things, yes people do come up to the lookout during your stay. Overall however our stay was pretty quiet. We had 2 set of grandparents with their grand kids come up on 4wheelers to pick huckleberries. They were very nice and didnt stay long. We did have a couple show up at midnight asking to come up the tower. I was not very happy and came out, pistol on hip and politely told them to get bent. The road is honestly not as bad as most say, we drive our 1 ton diesel. However I will say, the road to the lookout from the emida side is 100x faster, not as steep and narrow and smoother.

The views are amazing, however when it states on the listing that you will have frequent visitors that should be changed to constant visitors throughout the day. Everyone during the day were very respectful and most of them used the restroom, checked out the tower and would leave. The tower is at the top of an ATV mountain park and the tower is a pass through with the only restroom in the area. For those that enjoy huckleberries, they are all over the mountain but was told by a local that it gets pretty crazy when the berries come into season.
The major issue that we ran into were the visitors after dark! The locals know that this tower is rented and they do NOT care and they will tell you as such. It got so bad the second night when a larger group of the returned from the first night and made a point to be loud about not caring that we were there along with some friends that were in the campsite below. They were intoxicated, armed and hung out to have more drinks. When we calmly asked them to leave, they basically told us to shove it and that they could be there(even in the middle of the night). It was so bad that we packed up and left the next morning. I contacted the ranger station about what had happened and the lack of signage about the tower being a rental and that the same camp site rules need to be posted. A police report was filed due to how bad the situation was. I hope that they do put up more security around the tower and gate the stairs off. This was supposed to be a fun relaxing weekend that turned stressful because of locals and could have been dangerous if the situation escalated further than it did. Will probably never return which is unfortunate because it’s beautiful up there

The views are amazing, however when it states on the listing that you will have frequent visitors that should be changed to constant visitors throughout the day. Everyone during the day were very respectful and most of them used the restroom, checked out the tower and would leave. The tower is at the top of an ATV mountain park and the tower is a pass through with the only restroom in the area. For those that enjoy huckleberries, they are all over the mountain but was told by a local that it gets pretty crazy when the berries come into season.
The major issue that we ran into were the visitors after dark! The locals know that this tower is rented and they do NOT care and they will tell you as such. It got so bad the second night when a larger group of the returned from the first night and made a point to be loud about not caring that we were there along with some friends that were in the campsite below. They were intoxicated, armed and hung out to have more drinks. When we calmly asked them to leave, they basically told us to shove it and that they could be there(even in the middle of the night). It was so bad that we packed up and left the next morning. I contacted the ranger station about what had happened and the lack of signage about the tower being a rental and that the same camp site rules need to be posted. A police report was filed due to how bad the situation was. I hope that they do put up more security around the tower and gate the stairs off. This was supposed to be a fun relaxing weekend that turned stressful because of locals and could have been dangerous if the situation escalated further than it did. Will probably never return which is unfortunate because it’s beautiful up there

Bald Mtn. was amazing. So thankful that thw forest service has restored and opened these lookouts up to the public. We had a wonderful time. Views are amazing and photos don't do it justice. The propane range was awesome.

Bald Mtn. was amazing. So thankful that thw forest service has restored and opened these lookouts up to the public. We had a wonderful time. Views are amazing and photos don't do it justice. The propane range was awesome.

One of the coolest places we’ve stayed ever. The flys were kinda crazy when we first got there but quickly went away.

One of the coolest places we’ve stayed ever. The flys were kinda crazy when we first got there but quickly went away.

Things to know:
-There is an unbelievable amount of traffic at this tower. We stayed for for 3 nights and averaged around 8-10 groups visiting per a day. One group felt the need to pick huckleberries under the tower at 6am (they had a lovely conversation at full volume)
-Because of the traffic the roads leading up to the tower consist of moon dust.
-Bring your own sleeping pad/cot. The bed is a clapped out futon and very uncomfortable.
-As mentioned in previous reviews, someone “borrowed” the propane tank so the oven and light are inoperable.
-bathroom is nice
-Nice windows that all work.

TLDR; not a terrible look out but way too busy to get any kind of solitude. The early morning huckleberry pickers are loud.

Things to know:
-There is an unbelievable amount of traffic at this tower. We stayed for for 3 nights and averaged around 8-10 groups visiting per a day. One group felt the need to pick huckleberries under the tower at 6am (they had a lovely conversation at full volume)
-Because of the traffic the roads leading up to the tower consist of moon dust.
-Bring your own sleeping pad/cot. The bed is a clapped out futon and very uncomfortable.
-As mentioned in previous reviews, someone “borrowed” the propane tank so the oven and light are inoperable.
-bathroom is nice
-Nice windows that all work.

TLDR; not a terrible look out but way too busy to get any kind of solitude. The early morning huckleberry pickers are loud.