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Black Mountain Lookout

Closed

Not currently available for rental. The lookout was relocated in 2019 and requires restoration work before it can be opened to the public through the recreation rental program.

Air Quality Alert issued August 9 at 1:47PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

1:47 PM — August 10th, 2:00 PM

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in Coeur d'Alene ...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY FROM THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FOR Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah Counties... * WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. * WHERE...Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah Counties... * WHEN...Next update 11 AM August 11th. * IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

About

Black Mountain Lookout stands at 6,096 feet in the Kaniksu portion of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, about 6 miles southeast of Bonners Ferry. The current structure is a Region 6 Flat Top cabin mounted on a 53-foot treated timber tower, originally built in 1963 at Faset Peak before being relocated to Black Mountain in 1975-1976. The lookout has a rich staffing history dating back to 1921 when the first elevated cabin was constructed. It was upgraded to a 40-foot pole tower with an L-4 cab in 1935, then received its current tower in 1976. The Idaho Department of Lands staffed the lookout as recently as 1997. In 2019, the entire tower was moved approximately half a mile east-northeast to a new site with plans to eventually add it to the Forest Service recreational rental program. However, the lookout currently needs restoration work to meet safety standards for public use and is not yet available for overnight rental through Recreation.gov.

Directions

From Naples, Idaho, take USFS road #274 (Black Mountain Road) to USFS road #408 (Twenty-mile Leonia Road) in the Kaniksu National Forest. The route is a moderately used gravel road with some mild inclines near the top of Black Mountain. High-clearance vehicles are recommended due to potential downed trees and washouts.

Amenities

Water
Fires Allowed
Toilets
Dump Station
Wifi
Pets Allowed
Showers
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store
Price $60

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites

Contact

Phone +1 (208) 267-5561

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

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