Idaho · Hiking

Gem Lake

2.7 mi
round trip
1,148 ft
climb
5,807 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Gem Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Idaho Panhandle National Forests. It doesn't name Gem Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Gem Lake is a moderate out-and-back hike in Idaho's Sandpoint Ranger District, part of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The trail is 2.7 miles long, with an elevation gain of 1,148 feet, taking you from a low point of about 4,647 feet to a high of about 5,807 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open from June 1 to September 30. The route is natural-surfaced and allows bikes, so it works for hikers and riders alike. The trailhead is at the Upper Lightning-9a Trailhead, with parking at the Upper Lightning-9a site. Several other hikes sit close by. Gordon Creek is about 0.1 mile away and Lake Darling about 0.2 mile. Char Falls is roughly 1.4 miles off, and Lunch Peak Lookout, a campground, is about 1.7 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.