Fire Lookouts are a great way to experience Idaho’s mountains. I just discovered a Boise National Forest brochure (linked below) that covers most of the existing fire lookouts in the forest and provides brief access information for each. All of these mountains have pages on this website. Fire lookout sites were chosen because of their commanding views. You will find on a visit to any of these lookouts that the Forest Service chose well. The views are uniformly impressive.
Use the link below to read the entire brochure. Courtesy of USFS
Boise National Forest Brochure Link: Sentries at the Skyline
I believe that the Forest Service has underestimated the difficulties of most of the access roads. I recommend a 4WD or at least a high-clearance vehicle with good all-terrain tires if you are going to visit any of these lookouts.
In addition to the manned lookouts, the brochure also lists 5 unmanned lookouts: Bear Valley Mountain, Thorn Creek Butte, Meadow Creek, Rice Peak and Swanholm Peak. Photos and links are found below. The lookout structures are still present on these mountains but they are no longer used. Many other mountains in the Boise National Forest were used as fire lookouts in the past. You can research these and many others at firelookouts.com or Idaho Lookouts.
The brochure also mentions the Deadwood Lookout but gives no directions. Deadwood Lookout is available to rent through recreation.gov. Be forewarned that this rental is extremely popular. You will need to reserve many months in advance. Finally, the brochure does not include Shafer Butte (at the center of the Bogus Basin Ski Resort), Hawley Mountain (near Horseshoe Bend) and Pilot Peak (near Idaho City). These lookouts offer great views and are also worth visiting.
Trinity Mountain as viewed from Peak 8554.
The Sunset Mountain Lookout (1/17/15).
The Scott Mountain Lookout has a commanding view. The view of the Sawtooths is outstanding.
A closer view of the Thunderbolt Mountain Lookout from the trail.
In addition to the large Jackson Peak Lookout, there is a large garage-like structure on the summit. The lookout was staffed in 2016.
The Silver Creek Lookout sits in the middle of steep country studded with granite outcrops.
The Deadwood Lookout is located south of the Bog Benchmark. Make sure after you tag the summit to continue on to the lookout for a great view. The lookout is available for overnight rentals.
The Meadow Creek Lookout in 2012. National Historic Lookout Registry Photo
Rice Peak in happier days. USFS Photo
Bear Valley Mountain summit has one of the scariest fire lookouts that I have visited.
The Thorn Creek Butte Lookout has seen better days but the view is still spectacular.
The Whitehawk Lookout has it all.
The old Shafer Butte Lookout sits just north of the high point.
The summit of Hawley Mountain. Dan Robbins Photo