Established Camping
Little Guard Lookout
Little Guard Lookout is situated in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, featuring forested terrain with varying elevations. The area experiences temperature highs around 80°F in summer and lows near 20°F in winter. Visitors can explore nearby attractions such as the Silver Mountain Resort and the historic town of Wallace.
Description
USDA Forest Service
Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Overview
Little Guard Lookout, located about 9 miles north of Shoshone Camp, was one of the last remaining fire lookouts used in the Coeur d'Alene River area and has only just recently become inactive. The structure standing today on Little Guard Peak is the third in a series of lookout buildings that originated back to 1919. In October 1990, Little Guard Lookout was accepted for listing in the National Historic Lookout Register and the first for Idaho.
Recreation
Hiking is a great way to explore and take in the scenery of the grand mountains. The lookout provides access to the Shoshone Ridge Trail #81, a very nice day hike for visitors to the lookout. The trail provides many scenic viewpoints, but there is no source of water along the way, so hikers must bring plenty of their own.
Natural Features
At an elevation of 6,031 feet, the lookout boasts spectacular views overlooking the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River and the Bitterroot Mountains, with views of nearby Downey Peak to the northwest. Wildlife in the area includes mule deer, moose, osprey and calliope hummingbirds.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (208) 664-2318.
Location
Little Guard Lookout is located in Idaho
Directions
From I-90, take Exit #43 (Kingston) and drive 24 miles north on Forest Highway 9 to Prichard junction. From there, continue on Forest Road 208 for about 5 miles to Forest Road 602 (on the right just past Shoshone Base Camp). Drive about 9 miles to the lookout at the end of the road. Vehicles with high clearance and good tires are strongly recommended.
Address
173 COMMERCE DR. P.O. BOX 159
Smelterville, ID 83868
Coordinates
47.8027778 N
116.0094444 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiPoor
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileFair
Site Types
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
Drive Time
- 1 hr 59 min from Coeur d'Alene
- 2 hrs 28 min from Spokane
- 3 hrs 28 min from Missoula
- 3 hrs 54 min from Lewiston
