A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service cabin or lookout

Deer Park Cabin

Forest Service cabin or lookout in Boise National Forest, Boise County, Idaho. 5,563 feet. 22.4 miles from Idaho City.

Managed by
Forest Service Boise National Forest
Elevation
5,563 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
1 1 cabin non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Boise County

Overview

This site was originally established as Deer Park Ranger Guard Station in 1913, and a cabin was built here in 1917. This cabin, along with many others in Boise National Forest, was replaced in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Deer Park Cabin looks much the same today as it did in the 1930s.

Guests can drive to Deer Park Cabin in two-wheel drive passenger cars or trucks, although the roads may occasionally be rough. Many creature comforts are provided, but guests may need to bring additional gear and supplies to have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Recreation

The North Fork Boise River Trail, which begins directly behind the cabin, leads hikers upstream. The 5-mile trail passes through some of the roughest, most scenic canyon walls in Idaho before dipping down to the river's edge to pass by a rock bluff.

Horse Haven Trail begins about a few miles from the cabin and connects with the Swanholm/Warrior Trails. All these trails are open to hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, dirt bikers and motorcyclists, although some of the sections of the trail may be particularly difficult for motorcycles. Click here for an Idaho OHV Safety Message.

The river flows across the road from the cabin, offering good rainbow trout fishing after about July 1st. Big game hunting is also a popular pastime in the area.

Facilities

This is a DRY CABIN.

The cabin can sleep six people on ond futon and two sets of bunkbeds (bedding not provided). The kitchen is equipped with a table and chairs, cookware, dishes, utensils, a propane oven, refrigerator and dry sink. A propane stove is provided for heat. Limited bear-proof trash recepticles are located at the back of the cabin. Please be mindful and try to pack-out as much as you are able to.

A vault toilet outhouse is just outside. A shed to the right of the cabin houses a hand pump for potable water. A picnic table and campfire ring are located out front.

The cabin has no electricity, so please plan accordingly and bring your own light sources.

Guests are asked to please use provided cleaning supplies to clean the cabin upon checkout.

Natural Features

Deer Park Cabin is located in an open meadow lined with mature Ponderosa pines at an approximate elevation of 4,400 feet. Nearby, the North Fork Boise River rushes over rocks and through jagged granite walls studded with pine trees.

Wildlife watchers may want to look for deer and elk, and even moose. Bears are occasional visitors to the area as well. A variety of waterfowl are attracted to the river, as well as bald eagles and osprey.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • hunting
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Deer Park Cabin

The ringed pin is this cabin or lookout; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated March 11, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.