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

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

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

Bald Mountain Lookout offers the opportunity to enjoy unforgettable views and participate in a variety of recreational opportunities. It was built in 1956 and was used as a fire lookout until 1984. Guests can drive to the lookout in vehicles with good ground clearance, but trailers are not recommended due to some rough spots on the road. The lookout is typically open from early July through early October. The accommodations are mostly primitive, but some conveniences are provided. Guests will need to bring some of their own supplies and gear for a comfortable experience.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Photography

Photography

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Views and Setting

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Missing information?

001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

🏠 Cabin
  • 4 guests

Site Details

Up to 4 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
Driveway entry: Pull-Through
View Site Details

Reviews (26)

What Guests Are Saying

Bald Mountain Lookout offers stunning 360-degree views and a unique experience, with amazing star visibility at night. While there can be a significant number of visitors, especially on weekends, many guests find their stay relatively peaceful. The amenities, including a gas stove and outdoor facilities, enhance the visit, and the area is great for activities like hiking and huckleberry picking.

Review Summary

3.7
26 reviews
5
30.8%
8
4
26.9%
7
3
26.9%
7
2
7.7%
2
1
7.7%
2

COURTNEY H

Verified

July 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

3

Needs to be gated in order to get peace from all the other visitors that show up. Such as we had over 12 vehicles show up in one day with each one loaded with people and dogs. I also recommend taking window cleaner due to all the dust from all the visitors and logging operations in the area. A pully system would be nice to have installed to help with bring up your coolers as to not leaving them down in your vehicle with all the other visitors at the tower on a daily basis. When I say no peace, I mean no peace and quiet to enjoy what would have been great nap time and sleep throughout the night. Or if ya do book this maybe a weekday would be better, but we rented from Saturday to Monday with the most visitors on Sunday.

Samuel P

Verified

July 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

4

Beautiful 360 views. Stars were amazing. The cabin has a gas stove with gas already hooked up, though we did most of the cooking at the base. There is a picnic table, fire ring and outhouse at the base on the edge of a gravel pull around. Not much privacy at the base with people parking or driving around. There is active logging on the mountain, with some noisy equipment. The paths around are FS, logging, or ATV trails. We drove to Feather Creek trail for a nice hiking trail. Tons of huckleberries, just starting to ripen in early July. Great unique spot!

Kailey H

Verified

July 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

5

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.

Kailey H

Verified

July 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

5

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.

Tanisha D

Verified

July 11, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

2

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

Tanisha D

Verified

July 11, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

2

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

Jon C

Verified

September 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

5

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.

Jon C

Verified

September 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

5

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.

Evin B

Verified

August 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

5

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

Evin B

Verified

August 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA BALD MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

5

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

Location & Directions for Bald Mountain Lookout (Nez Perce-clearwater National Forests, ID)

1700 Highway 6, Potlatch, ID 83544 United States

Elevation: 1,623 ft

Getting There

From Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, drive 70 mi south on U.S. Highway 95 to State Highway 6. Turn left on State Highway 6, White Pine Scenic Byway, travel through Potlatch and continue on for 22 mi. Turn right on Forest Road 377, Palouse Divide Road. This ...

Nearest town

Potlatch, ID - 29 mi

About 54 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via U.S. Highway 95 and State Highway 6, approximately 22 miles from the junction of U.S. Highway 95 and State Highway 6 in Potlatch, Idaho.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Explore Potlatch, ID

Population: 922

Nearby city: Coeur d'Alene, ID

Approx. 45 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 2,569 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service