Gem Peak Lookout Rental

Lookout was very sturdy, even in a pretty aggressive wind storm. No sink to wash dishes and pretty bare bones for cleaning supplies and cooking utensils, so bring everything like you are camping. The two cots were comfortable. We hiked to idaho mountain to the ID/MT boarder, very narrow rough road, but beautiful views up top, and you can see ripple rocks from the glaciers!

We did a roadtrip visiting and stay in 7 different fire lookouts 7 days in a row, bringing our cat along with us. If you want more information about that, find me on YouTube @JoelKalich.

Location and Access:
This lookout features a gate that guests are encouraged to close for proper privacy. The roads up to the lookout were in great condition until the last 2.1 miles, which was rather rough. My lifted Volvo XC70 had no issues and I'd expect a stock subaru to be fine as well, as long as you have good tires.

The lookout:
This was, hands down, the best maintained and stocked fire lookout on our trip. It was our favorite structure. It was also one of the three, of the seven we visited, where you could not see any lights in the distance at night - it felt extremely secluded. The table was a dining-room-style table and was great for playing cards. The mattresses were some of the best on our journey. The windows had custom window screens that were the best we saw on our trip, allowing us to get a great cross-breeze going, while containing the kitty. Additionally, it was the second highest tower on our journey, at 30 feet high, 10 feed shorter than Deer Ridge. There was a fairy light thing mounted for mood lighting. Considering I carry loads of batteries for cameras and whatnot, I was able to make sure we left it fully charged for the next visitors. It was a small thing. The toilet was close to the lookout with minimal elevation required to get to it. It was clean and well stocked with TP when we visited. Of all the lookouts we visited, this is the one we're most likely to come back to for a longer stay.

Great experience staying in Gem Peak Lookout tower. Place was clean and well stocked with beds, wood stove, firewood, table and chairs. Beautiful views all around.

The previously posted comments are on track: last 1/2 mile is difficult road conditions and many flies, but only in the afternoon. The condition of the lookout and outhouse are great. We took the trail east for a few miles and hit the timing right to pick huckleberries along the way. Thanks to NPS for funding the lookout stays!

Easy to find. Clean. Hard to sleep the second night because of high winds and a window shutter (west side)that wouldn’t stay closed. A few flies but not horrible. There is a battery powered light that uses 4 AA. Bring batteries with you. Nice Propane stove. I got up there fine with my Subaru Crosstrek

SETTING: Absolutely gorgeous!
ROUTE: Good forest service road.
SOLITUDE: Didn’t see anyone during our three nights there.
AMENITIES: Pit toilet was very clean.
SECURITY: Nonexistent. No way to secure your belongings if you leave the tower.
ENVIRONMENT: The flies…OMG! Bring your own fly swatter. Hundreds inside the tower upon arrival, but they disappeared as the sun set - then reappeared the next morning as the day warmed up.

Great experience overall! If you venture into Trout Creek, the food at the Lakeside Motel and Resort was good.

Not my first time here, but loved it regardless! Gem Peak is a truly a "Gem" and I love being on top of the mountains, with 360 degree views, and limited to no wifi! I love the sunsets and sunrises! I love the serene and peace that comes with this opportunity of being "on top of the world."
Our night was a cold one! Rain, hail, wind gusts, fog, limited visability and a nice crackling hot fire from the wood stove. It was awesome. Spent the night here for my hub's birthday- only his second time in a look out. He works for USFS and used to be in charge of closing up and cleaning LO's, so its a new experience for him to stay overnight! Thanks USFS for these opportunities- they are priceless and I look forward every year to coming back. We left the LO much cleaner than we found it. Please, for those who stay- clean up after yourself. Wipe things down and sweep the bugs up after you leave. Its inevitable there will be bugs. Its inevitable there will be spiderwebs and things just need cleaned up. Please do your part so that staying in these awesome places is always an option and it sometimes only takes 1 person to ruin it for the rest of us. Adventure on! Get outside! GO play! Peace!

Wonderful lookout, will be back

Great lookout! Need good tires to get all the way up there. The lookout is open to the public, so if you're there for a few days, expect visitors. Lots of flies during the day but they subside before sunset. No sign of rodents. Lots of hooks (compared to other lookouts) to hang lights, jackets, etc. Someone has left a 2 burner propane stove and minimal cooking supplies up there for people to use. Another pro is that the beds are on the opposite side of where the sun comes up, so you don't get roasted first thing in the morning.

What a beautiful and clean lookout! We enjoyed cooking delicious meals, picking huckleberries till our backs ached, and shopping in Thompson Falls. Due to the previous reviews, I was well prepared to be overrun by flies when we arrived at the lookout. I’m happy to report we had zero issues with flies or bugs (even when there was no wind).

The road to the lookout is well-marked, and the directions are easy to follow. The final 2.5 miles (after the Warming Hut) is pretty rough. I took a Ford Edge and made sure to take it slow. All tires survived the weekend! Service at the lookout will come and go (Verizon and AT&T) as our phones bounced back and forth between Montana and Idaho towers.

Stop by Rode Haus Coffee in Trout Creek for a drink and yummy snack!