USDA Forest Service · Idaho
Deer Ridge Lookout
USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 31 to October 5
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,754 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- DEER RIDGE (NFSR 2540) · native material · high clearance vehicles
- Lake
- Idaho Panhandle National Forests
- Nearest town
- BONNERS FERRY
- Address
- 6286 MAIN STREET, BONNERS FERRY, ID, 83805
- Phone
- 208-267-5561
- Activities
- Camping, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Deer Ridge Lookout, perched on a 40 foot timber frame, boasts excellent views of the Purcell mountain ranges of Northern Idaho, Canada and Montana. Located 24 miles northeast of Bonners Ferry, guests can enjoy magnificent scenery, hiking and wildlife watching.
The lookout can be accessed by car and the gravel road to the lookout is well maintained.
Recreation
Hiking and viewing the scenery are two well-loved activities at the facility. Hiking trails from the lookout follow along the Deer Ridge and Ruby Ridge. Huckleberry picking is enjoyed from August to September.
Fly fishing is available in the Moyie River, where anglers can cast for rainbow and brook trout. Make sure to check all regulations and secure all permits with the local Fish and Wildlife department before heading out.
Facilities
The 14' X 14' cabin has a wraparound catwalk, with a trap door that lifts for access to the tower's entrance staircase. The staircase is steep and is not recommended for small children. Furnishings include two twin beds, two chairs, a dresser and a table. A pit toilet is located 50 yards away.
No water is available. Guests should bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Cooking is not permitted in the lookout. All cooking should be done outside and at ground level. Guests should bring a tarp to block the rain. Other items to bring include bedding, a first aid kit, towels and flashlights.
Natural Features
The Lower Kootenai River Area (Bonners Ferry District) is bordered by the Purcell and Cabinet Ranges and the Montana Line on the east, the rugged Selkirk Range on the west, and the Canadian border to the north.
The Kootenai River meanders north and west through the District, and the Moyie River joins it from the north. Peaks are moderate in elevation (6000 - 7000 ft.) but are rugged due to heavy glaciation. They are renowned for their mountaineering challenge.
The lookout is perched atop Deer Ridge at an elevation of 4,755 feet. The view from the facility includes the rugged Purcell mountain peaks and the beautiful Moyie River Valley and Moyie Springs.
Elk, deer and black bears are among the wildlife in the area. Please be aware of and practice bear safety.
Nearby Attractions
The nearest town for groceries is Bonners Ferry, about 24 miles from the lookout.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 16° | -35° | 34° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 28° | 14° | -25° | 39° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 35° | 22° | -3° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 39° | 26° | 9° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 53° | 36° | 25° | 76° | 7 of 11 |
| June | 61° | 41° | 31° | 79° | 2 of 11 |
| July | 75° | 54° | 39° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 75° | 53° | 45° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 62° | 44° | 30° | 77° | 2 of 11 |
| October | 46° | 31° | 23° | 66° | 9 of 10 |
| November | 32° | 24° | 1° | 48° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 27° | 20° | -22° | 38° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Meadow Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Snyder Guard Station (Id) · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 1 sites
- Mt. Baldy-Buckhorn Ridge · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 1 sites
- Smith Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi
- Copper Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi
All public campgrounds in Idaho · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.