Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin
Deadwood Lookout Recreation Cabin is a historic Forest Service fire lookout on Deadwood Mountain. The structure provides sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding forest, making this a unique place to overnight. At least two other lookouts have existed previously on Deadwood Mountain, but the current one was built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was actively used as a fire lookout until 1972. It has since become one of the most popular rental cabins in Idaho. The peak season is late June through mid-October. Guests can drive to the cabin, but high clearance vehicles are recommended for the dirt access road because it is narrow, steep and winding.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Gravel | 4 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
This rustic cabin is a 14x14-ft. room equipped with two single beds with mattresses that can be fastened together. A wood stove is available for heating and cooking. A wood counter with shelf and a table with two chairs complete the furnishings. A vault toilet, picnic table, and campfire ring are located outside and below the lookout. The cabin is surrounded by an exterior catwalk. No water, electricity or firewood is available. Guests must bring their own water supply, as well as trash bags to pack out garbage. Bedding, pillows, cookware, kitchen utensils, and tableware are not provided. Guests are expected to clean the lookout before leaving. A broom and dustpan are provided for this purpose.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | End of May to End of September |
| Forest | Boise National Forest |
| Booking | This is a fee campground with 6 sites and no reservations are necessary. This campground is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fee envelopes and a collection box are provided near the entrance. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Boise, Idaho, take Highway 55 north about 35 miles to Banks, Idaho. Turn right (east) on Banks-Lowman Road and proceed 25 miles to the junction with Forest Road 555. Turn left (north) on Road 555 and proceed 9 miles to the junction of Forest Roads 555 and 555EC.
| Nearest town | Emmett, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.1089° N, 115.7033° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
12 mi from the campground
- PrescribedParadise Rx
49 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Eco Lounge Freeride Shop ↗ | 40.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Happy Camper ↗ | 42.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 2.4 miJulie Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7.5 miBanner Ridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.4 miKirkham Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 2.4 miJulie Creek ↗11.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 4 more
- 2.9 miDeadwood Ridge ↗21.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 3.3 miNellies Basin ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 4.4 miEdna/Rock Creek ↗24 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.5 miLogging Gulch ↗7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 4 more
- 4.7 miScott Mountain ↗6.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.4 miJulie Creek Trailhead ↗Boise National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Boise National Forest.
- inBoise National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,526,862 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The cabin is perched atop Deadwood Mountain at an elevation of 7482 feet. A variety of colorful wildflowers bloom around the base of the cabin in the summer, and stands of conifers dot the landscape. Mornings bring unobstructed views of sunrises. Guests can watch the sun set each evening and then gaze out at an endless canopy of stars. Wildlife enthusiasts may spot elk, deer and bear in the surrounding area. Bull moose have occasionally been spotted along nearby trails. Guests may find swallows and other birds nesting just outside the lookout. Guests can also expect to see various types of snakes, including Gopher snakes, Garter snakes, Racer snakes, Bull snakes & Rattlesnakes, especially when temperatures reach 70-82 degrees fahrenheit outside.
Recreation
Hikers and mountain bikers have access to three nearby trails: Scott Mountain, Julie Creek, and Nellie's Basin. The Deadwood Ridge Trail is a popular destination for equestrians, hikers, mountain bikers, and off-road vehicle enthusiasts.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin?
Sites at Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin are reservable on Recreation.gov. This is a fee campground with 6 sites and no reservations are necessary. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season End of May to End of September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin?
Hikers and mountain bikers have access to three nearby trails: Scott Mountain, Julie Creek, and Nellie's Basin. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin?
Emmett, Idaho.
Source: Getting there
What if Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pine Flats (3.3 mi, partly first-come), Mountain View (5.4 mi, partly first-come), and Park Creek (Idaho) (6.1 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby