Camp ObserverCold Springs Peak Cabin - Clearwater NF (ID)
Camp site features
Across 1 camp site:
- Largest party: 4 people
Directions
The cabin is approximately 50 miles northeast of the community of Pierce, Idaho on the North Fork Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. The last 35 miles to the cabin from Pierce are mostly single lane, gravel surfaced roadways that may be peppered with large potholes and rocks, with the last 6 miles being rutted 2 track road requiring 4X4 high clearance vehicles operated by experienced operators and 2 miles of multi-use, moderate difficulty trail. Seasonal conditions permitting: Cold Springs Cabin is also approachable from I90 via Superior MT, with the addition of a high mountain pass that is usually impassible from late Oct to mid-July, and 60 miles of challenging gravel/rock/dirt road conditions. Visitors are strongly advised to consult a map, the forest web site, seasonal conditions in advance of making reservations as well as prior to travel, and to plan their trip accordingly as there are no services on the forest.
To approach Cold Springs Cabin from Idaho via US HWY 12 and State HWY 11: Locate French Mountain Road, also known as Forest Service Road 250 on the east side of State HWY 11 (Main St) on the south end of Peirce Idaho (approximately 3/4 of a mile from city center). Travel on FSR 250 for approximately 45 miles (be sure to stay to the right after crossing the North Fork of the Clearwater River at the “Historic Bungalow Ranger Station site”) until you reach the FSR 250 and FSR 711 junction at Cold Springs Cr (about 2 miles West of Kelly Forks Work Center)
From the FSR 250/FSR 711 junction, at Cold Springs Cr follow FSR 711 to the Junction of FSR 711/FSR 5295. At this point the remaining 6 miles to the Cold Springs Cabin becomes increasingly narrow, steep, rocky, rutted and brushed in travel, barely passable with high clearance 4x4 vehicles with an experienced operator during the best of conditions, so it is recommended to continue by ATV/UTV, motorbike, or on stock/foot following the established FSR 5295 to FSR 5297 route leading to the Flat Mountain Trailhead of the 176 trail. Follow the multi-use, moderate difficulty 176 trail 2 miles, and past the junction of the Elizabeth Mountain 445 trail to the east (at about the halfway point) to the Cold Springs Cabin.
Conditions permitting: Cold Springs Cabin can be approached from USI90 via Superior MT by locating the River St under pass of USI90. Follow River St to Diamond Match Rd on the south side of USI90, follow Diamond Match Rd southeast past Riverbend where the road curves to the south and becomes FSR 250, travel 25 miles (also known as the Trout Creek Road) to Hoodoo Pass at the Idaho-Montana state line. Continue southwest on FSR 250 for approximately 29 more miles past the FSR 250/FSR 255 junction and thru Black Canyon to the Kelly Forks Work Center, then continue on FSR 250 to the FSR 250 and the FSR 711 junction at Cold Springs Cr (about 2 miles west of the Kelly Forks Work Center) and follow directions in the paragraph above.
*NOTE: Hoodoo Pass, is a remote mountain pass that rises to 6,000 ft elevation and is typically impassable due to snow from late Oct until mid-July when the pass melts out. Black Canyon typically has spring debris slides that can make FSR 250 between Hoodoo pass and Kelly Forks Work Center impassible until cleared. An alternate route is to take FSR 255 through Deception and then follow it along Kelly Creek back to FSR250.
Stay Limit
Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Dan M
Loop:Area Cold Springs Peak Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 5 years ago
Been to many of these cabins and lookouts, and this one is a gem. Hiked in from Mush Saddle and enjoyed the views the whole way. Pretty well signed. Cabin is sparsely supplied compared to most FS rentals, so bring everything you’ll need. Including water. Don’t count on the spring. Hike down to Pete Ott Lake was great, spent the day there. Amazing views at the cabin watching sunrise/set and the stars. No mice that we heard, but some droppings here and there. Wood stove came in handy during a storm. We’ll be back!
Cat H
Loop:Area Cold Springs Peak Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 6 years ago
Several phone calls made with the local forest ranger station during the week leading up to the trip - wasnt until the day before the reservation that someone told us there was so much snow it would be at LEAST a 6 mile hike in and no guarantee we could actually access the cabin. Was told it was too late to cancel the reservation. I would recommend booking this one late season.
Angela B
Loop:Area Cold Springs Peak Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 7 years ago
Cold Peak Springs was an amazing hike, a well-kept cabin, and just the type of getaway we needed. If you're traveling late into the summer, be sure to bring lots of water or be willing to dig into the dried creek bed about a mile out from the cabin. You should also expect company from four-wheelers throughout your stay. To our delight, there was tons of huckleberries to pick on the climb up to the peak. Overall this was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone up for a rewarding backpacking trip.
Camp Sites
Availability not checked yet
We don't have availability data yet for camp sites at .
Interested in seeing what camp sites you can reserve here? Check it now, or watch this campground so we keep checking it for you.
