Surveyors Lookout
Idaho Panhandle National Forests — riverside, hiking
Location: AVERY, ID, ID
Price: From $55 per night
Rating: 3.4 out of 5 (14 reviews)
Season: May through October
Located near the Mallard-Larkins Pioneer Area Attractions, Surveyors Lookout is perched atop a 30 foot tower, providing phenomenal views of Snow Peak and the surrounding mountains. The cabin is listed on the National Historic Register for Lookouts and offers visitors a unique camping experience in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. The original pole structure lookout was built in 1931 as part of a network of lookouts used to spot fires in the Upper St.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/surveyors-lookout to be notified when sites open up.
Surveyors Lookout offers a unique historic fire lookout tower experience perched 30 feet high with phenomenal views of Snow Peak and surrounding mountains in Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Real campers rate it 5/5 stars, calling it an unforgettable experience with rustic charm.
Wildlife alert: American Pika, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Dusky Grouse, Greater Yellowlegs, and Valley Garter Snake verified in area
Insider tips for Surveyors Lookout: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 1 tent site and high demand Access requires 29 miles east on St. Joe River Road (FH50) then 8 miles south on Red Ives Road 218 to Beaver Creek Road 303 Historic 1931 fire lookout tower listed on National Historic Register for Lookouts
Skip Surveyors Lookout if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at this site. You prefer standard campground facilities — only fire rings, picnic tables, and drinking water provided.
Best time to visit Surveyors Lookout: May-October — Seasonal operations limited to May through October per verified campground data.
Nearby campgrounds: Beaver Creek A-Frame Cabin (Id) (ST. MARIE’S , ID), Line Creek Stock Campground (Avery, ID), Red Ives Cabin (Saint Maries, ID), Cold Springs Peak Cabin - Clearwater Nf (Id) (OROFINO, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Surveyors Lookout
Cell signal at Surveyors Lookout (AVERY, 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.
Located near the Mallard-Larkins Pioneer Area Attractions, Surveyors Lookout is perched atop a 30 foot tower, providing phenomenal views of Snow Peak and the surrounding mountains. The cabin is listed on the National Historic Register for Lookouts and offers visitors a unique camping experience in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. The original pole structure lookout was built in 1931 as part of a network of lookouts used to spot fires in the Upper St.
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 and high demand
Access requires 29 miles east on St. Joe River Road (FH50) then 8 miles south on Red Ives Road 218 to Beaver Creek Road 303
Historic 1931 fire lookout tower listed on National Historic Register for Lookouts
Seasonal operations limited to May through October per verified campground data
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 the St. Joe River Road (FH50) to Beaver Creek, drive 29 miles east of Avery to the junction of the Red Ives Road 218. Turn south (right) and drive 8 miles to the junction of Beaver Creek Road 303 (just past Beaver Creek Campground). Drive about 7.5 miles to Road 201. Turn south (left) toward Sawtooth Saddle. Drive 13 miles to access road to Surveyors Lookout (Road 395A). From St. Regis, take Little Joe Road 282 about 14.5 miles to the top of Gold Summit. Stay on the same road which changes
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.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Surveyors Lookout cost per night?+
What season is Surveyors Lookout open?+
Does Surveyors Lookout have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Surveyors Lookout?+
How do I make reservations at Surveyors Lookout?+
What is the cell service like at Surveyors Lookout?+
What season is Surveyors Lookout 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.