Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin

EMMETT, Idaho

Idaho

Free — you'll pick up right here.

No verdict for this campground

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

  • Inside Boise National Forest

    2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.

    Boundary data

What's missing

  • No access route mapped

    We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

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Campsite availability

Live from Recreation.gov for Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin.

Book on Recreation.gov
Oct 11 – Oct 18
7 nights

We'll watch 2026-10-11 → 2026-10-18 and email you the moment something frees up. No account needed.

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Deadwood Lookout Rec Cabin

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About this campground

Overview 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. The cabin offers only a few basic amenities. Guests should be prepared to bring most of what they need to make themselves comfortable, but the views of the mountains by day and the stars at night guarantee a memorable and rewarding experience. 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. Facilities 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. 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.

Campsite info

Sites
1
Site types
Cabin
Reservable
Yes
Vault toilets
Reserve a site

Directions & GPX

Facts about this campground

When to go

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Deadwood Lodge, ID weather station, 25 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan35° high8° low
  2. Feb36° high12° low
  3. Mar42° high16° low
  4. Apr49° high22° low
  5. May61° high30° low
  6. Jun70° high35° low
  7. Jul82° high40° low
  8. Aug81° high38° low
  9. Sep73° high32° low
  10. Oct57° high26° low
  11. Nov40° high16° low
  12. Dec31° high9° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Boise National Forest as of Oct 10, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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Guided trips nearby

Local operators near EMMETToffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Haven Hot Springs

Camping business nearby (~8 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Garden Valley RV Park

Camping business nearby (~12 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Middle Fork Campground

Camping business nearby (~13 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator