Surveyors Lookout, Avery, ID

Surveyors Lookout is located in the St. Joe Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (3 hrs 38 min west of Missoula, MT) with an elevation of 6,158 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of August to the end of September. There is a fee of $55.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (19)

3.6 out of 5

5 star		26%
4 star		37%
3 star		21%
2 star		5%
1 star		11%

@DaveH8980161 · Camped on Aug 30, 2024 at Campsite #1

Overall a sturdy lookout in a great location. Plentiful huckleberries. Needs some cleaning and care, but we are very greatful to the FS for this lookout. Saw the craziest northern lights I've ever seen. Unfortunately this lookout needs a gate, as we were visited by 8 parties (7 ORV's and a truck) who wanted to walk around and see inside and stand on the deck or make phone calls. Then they proceeded to crank music and keep drinking on the summit parking area next to the lookout. We asked them to leave. Lookouts without gates attract visitors. They should raise the rates and build gates.

@RobertK4087757 · Camped on Aug 25, 2024 at Campsite #1

This lookout is uninhabitable. There were several pots and pans placed in the lookout by the previous renters to catch water from the leaking roof as it had recently rained. There was a strong mold smell to go with it. We could not spend more than 5 minutes in the lookout. Too bad because the location is very remote and took us 6+ hours to get there.

@HannahP1AD8E51 · Camped on Jul 27, 2024 at Campsite #1

Great lookout! Feels remote! But was disappointed with how dirty the lookout was. Felt like the last month none of the other guest had taken care to clean it! Road getting in is great. Just the last half mile is kind of tough. No service. Oven worked great, fridge did not.

@JamieL7227610 · Camped on Jul 19, 2024 at Campsite #1

Two stars only because of the beautiful location. Accommodations were LOUSY. This place could be great, but its clear that nobody cares to make it that way. We drove six hours to get here, and while the area is lovely, sleeping in a tent would be way better than this place.Combination lock absolutely did not work. Had to unscrew it to get in. Mouse infested. Mattresses are not good. Boards over the windows by the stove, so you cant air out the heat. There would be a lovely cooling cross breeze at night if those windows were fixed. Instead, we sweltered in the heat.We have stayed at several ranger cabins and one other lookout. This one was by far the worst choice. Would 10/10 recommend just bringing a tent and sleeping somewhere else in the area.

@RichardP563677 · Camped on Sep 15, 2023 at Campsite #1

Make sure you put away all food or the mice will keep you up. We made the mistake of leaving a few items on the table and it was a party for them even after I got up and stored everything. The next night was better as we used the refrigerator and the storage cabinet. We hiked the Scribner Falls Trail which leaves at the bottom of the spur road to the lookout but never actually saw the falls as they are hidden in a ravine down a spur trail. We also hiked up to Sawtooth Peak from Sawtooth Saddle. All trails are in good condition. There is a good spring just before Sawtooth Saddle which flows from a pipe.

@FrancesC333452 · Camped on Sep 14, 2022 at Campsite #1

What a remote location; no human lights visible in all directions! This is not a location for everyone for a few reasons. First, the travel to this lookout is long; it took us 3 1/2 hours to go apx 48 miles from St. Regis to the tower. The dirt roads are narrow, in fact one 8 mile portion is really a jeep trail with few places to navigate oncoming vehicles, which thankfully were very few. Second, do not plan to stay here without bringing comfortable sleeping mats as the mats provided seem to be 1960's relics that are as hard as sleeping on the floor. But if you're fine with these things it's an ideal spot for solitude, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Because of the effort to get to this lookout we suggest a multi-night stay. Nice to have the propane stove which we used just to make tea water on a cloudy cool morning. As the guidelines suggest, don't count on the propane heater to warm the cabin. It does provide a warmer spot right in front of it for dressing on a cold morning. There is no woodstove. We didn't use the lights. For being so late in the season (mid-Sept) we still found some edible huckleberries but left most to the resident grouse. Red crossbills were feeding on pine cones all around the tower; so enjoyable to watch and listen to.

@Kimberly430122 · Camped on Aug 15, 2022 at Campsite #1

No gate or hatch to close off the lookout - seen bears as well as a known issue with them coming right to the lookout and causing damage could not sleep at all after seeing one circling my SUV only good thing was the quite and huckleberrys

@AshleyS5221344 · Camped on Aug 12, 2022 at Campsite #1

I’ve always wanted to stay in a fire look out and I’m so thankful I stumbled upon the opportunity. Amazing views, fresh huckleberries everywhere! We had an amazing trip exploring and enjoying the scenery from every angle of the 360 view from the LO. Didn’t sleep much between the full moon and the sunrise but who can complain about that. Highly recommend!

@JenniferM11870 · Camped on Aug 10, 2022 at Campsite #1

I feel conflicted posting about how amazing this was, as it will probably make it harder to book in the future, but - this was a surreal experience, I feel so lucky to have snagged two nights here. It IS a rough road getting up, so I would recommend a dedicated stay rather than a quick stop. Huckleberries, surreal sunsets, and a lil oven made for the perfect trip.

@Erinc6378035 · Camped on Sep 4, 2020 at Campsite #1

Lovely experience, first lookout we have stayed in! The facilities were much cleaner and nicer than we anticipated. If you are visiting soon, consider donating a nice mop to help keep the floor clean? We found one night is too short of a stay to really relax unless you’re staying nearby. It’s a long slow drive in in a truck. Be prepared and follow forest service guidelines for food storage and bears. Lots of other visitors have reported bear trouble in the last few years in the log book. We didn’t see any signs of wildlife :)

@ErinC779 · Camped on Sep 4, 2020 at Campsite #1

@JoshuaS661 · Camped on Aug 20, 2020 at Campsite #1

This lookout location is amazing! Beautiful views with not one light in sight. This lookout is quite a haul to get up to it but worth the drive. It was reported in the log book that there has been a nuisance black bear in the area that did some damage to the cabin, pit toilet and guest coolers but we were bear free for our trip. Last section getting to the lookout was a bit rough so a good clearance vehicle is suggested. The huckleberries are everywhere around the cabin.

@JoshuaS4039138 · Camped on Aug 20, 2020 at Campsite #1

@BrianL8268206 · Camped on Sep 11, 2019 at Campsite #1

Long way in but worth every minute

@BrianL486 · Camped on Sep 11, 2019 at Campsite #1

Long way in but worth every minute

@MorganR826 · Camped on Jul 23, 2019 at Campsite #1

Great experience for our family every year! It's best to try and book this site during a new moon.

@MorganR8509083 · Camped on Jul 23, 2019 at Campsite #1

Great experience for our family every year! It's best to try and book this site during a new moon.

@KarenG3722457 · Camped on Jul 12, 2019 at Campsite #1

It's a long, long trip to get there, but it's wonderfully isolated. A bear got in my car, which was scary but made for a good story!

@KarenG466 · Camped on Jul 12, 2019 at Campsite #1

It's a long, long trip to get there, but it's wonderfully isolated. A bear got in my car, which was scary but made for a good story!

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