Spyglass Ground House
Idaho Panhandle National Forests — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: SMELTERVILLE, ID, ID
Price: From $45 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Season: May through October
Spyglass Lookout Ground House is located on Spyglass Peak, in the heart of the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests. It’s approximately 2.5 miles east and slightly south, as the crow flies, of the Magee Historic Site. The Spyglass Lookout site is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Bear Boxes, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/spyglass-ground-house to be notified when sites open up.
Historic Spyglass Lookout site on Spyglass Peak offering camping, fishing, and hiking in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Campers report it's very green, lush, quiet, and not crowded with well-maintained facilities.
Wildlife alert: Moose, Elk, White-tailed Deer, and Western Terrestrial Garter Snake present in area; also Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Common Merganser, and Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Insider tips for Spyglass Ground House: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 1 tent site Plan for minimal cell signal according to camper reports Bring earplugs if noise-sensitive — trains pass through hourly with horns
Skip Spyglass Ground House if: Expecting hookups — no hookups available at sites. Need reliable camp host support — campers report host was unavailable. Seeking river access — no river access available.
Best time to visit Spyglass Ground House: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Magee Rangers Cabin (COEUR D’ALENE, ID), Big Hank (Prichard, ID), Little Guard Lookout (SMELTERVILLE, ID), Berlin Flats (Prichard, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Spyglass Ground House
Cell signal at Spyglass Ground House (SMELTERVILLE, ID): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Spyglass Lookout Ground House is located on Spyglass Peak, in the heart of the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests. It’s approximately 2.5 miles east and slightly south, as the crow flies, of the Magee Historic Site. The Spyglass Lookout site is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 1 tent site
Plan for minimal cell signal according to camper reports
Bring earplugs if noise-sensitive
trains pass through hourly with horns
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From I-90 take Exit #43 (Kingston) and drive 24 miles north on Forest Highway 9 (2-lane and paved) to Prichard Junction. Continue on Forest Road 208 for 28 miles to the end of the pavement and the start of Forest Road 6310 (a gravel road with large rocks and potholes). Travel 7 miles to Magee Ranger's Cabin historic site, then continue approx. 1/4/ mi. to the junction with Forest Road 422. Turn left on Road 422 for about 1/2 mile, then left on Road 265. Road 265 is a windy, single lane road with
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Idaho Panhandle National Forests fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Idaho Panhandle National Forests before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Spyglass Ground House cost per night?+
What season is Spyglass Ground House open?+
Does Spyglass Ground House have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Spyglass Ground House?+
How do I make reservations at Spyglass Ground House?+
What is the cell service like at Spyglass Ground House?+
What season is Spyglass Ground House open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.