Booking A Room With A View Ranger District Opens Three Lookouts, Guard Cabin For Overnight Campers

Sun., Feb. 7, 1999

Rich Landers Outdoors Editor

Cheap rooms with million-dollar views are opening to the public this summer, thanks to the Panhandle National Forests.

Reservations are being taken for a new program to rent three lookouts and a guard station cabin for summer use on the Bonners Ferry Ranger District.

The accommodations are rustic. Water must be hauled in. Facilities are minimal. All of the lookouts accommodate up to four people, but only a twin bed is provided.

But few overnight spots offer such a top-o-the-world feeling.

Following are details for the latest additions

Shorty Peak Lookout, elevation 6,515 feet, is in the Selkirk Mountains 45 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry. Access is by hiking 2.5 miles, mostly uphill. The 15-foot square cabin is built on rocks. Rentals available July 1 through Sept. 30. Cost: $20 a night.

Deer Ridge Lookout, elevation 4,755 feet, is in the Purcell Mountains 24 miles northeast of Bonners Ferry. The 14-foot square cabin is on a 40-foot tower overlooking the Moyie River valley. Access is by road. Rentals available mid-June through Sept. 30. Cost: $25 a night.

Black Mountain Lookout, elevation 6,096 feet, is in the Cabinet Mountains 25 miles southeast of Bonners Ferry. The 14-foot square cabin is on a 53-foot tower overlooking the Kootenai Valley. Electricity is available for this cabin, which is accessible by road, but it’s not recommended for small children because of the high tower. Rentals available mid-June through Sept. 30. Cost: $25 a night.

Snyder Guard Station is along the Moyie River about 30 miles northeast of Bonners Ferry. Rentals are allowed from early June through Sept. 30 only in the old ranger house, which has electricity, water, shower, cook stove, refrigerator, table, chairs and five twin beds. Accessible by road. Cost: $35 a night or $175 a week.

To make reservations for these rentals, contact Bonners Ferry Ranger District, Route 4 Box 4860, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805-9764; telephone (208) 267-5561.

On the lookout For information on lookouts and cabins available for rent in North Idaho, Washington, Montana and Oregon, contact the Earth Science/National Forest Information Center, 904 W. Riverside in Spokane, 353-2574.

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