Exploring Idaho's Hidden Treasures: Trestle Creek to Lightning Creek Adventure

Hello Friends! We are bringing you along on another one of our Idaho adventures. This episode, we dove deep into the wilderness of Trestle Creek, just a short drive from Sandpoint. We’ve mentioned Lightning Creek before, and this adventure ties right into it. If you haven’t checked out that episode, no worries—we’ll link it for you here so you can follow along with our Northern Idaho explorations.

Mountain Views on our Drive

Today, we’re heading toward Trestle Creek, which merges with Lightning Creek to form some of the most remote and stunning landscapes we’ve encountered in this region. So buckle up as we take you on this journey through scenic routes, mountain trails, hidden waterfalls, and some unexpected surprises along the way.

How to Get There

Don't be an Asshole! ;)

We started from Sandpoint and headed east on Highway 200, passing the Pack River. If you’re familiar with our episodes, you know that most of the fun outdoor spots are out this way. Right before reaching Clark Fork, you’ll see the Trestle Creek Recreation Area sign. You can take a left here and follow a winding road for about 4 miles before hitting National Forest land. The first part is private property, so take it slow!

Before 4-mile mark, you’ll reach the Trestle Creek Day Use Area, which is a fantastic pit

Mileage Sign at the Start of Trestle Creek

stop. Whether you’re shopping in Sandpoint, Skiing Schweitzer or exploring Lake Pend Oreille, this area is perfect for a quick escape. It has vault toilets, picnic tables, and the beautiful Trestle Creek flowing right through. You can hike around a bit or just relax and enjoy the serenity of the mountains.

Adventure in the Mountains

From the day-use area, you’re still on private property for another few miles, so take your time and enjoy the scenery. There’s a snowmobile parking lot, which, in the summer, makes for a great spot to park your rigs and take off on motorcycles or ATVs. We saw a bunch of dirt bikes and side-by-sides tearing it up, so if you’re into off-road fun, this is your spot!

Once you pass the snowmobile lot, you’ll reach the Huckleberry Campground—a free, first-come, first-serve spot with basic amenities like vault toilets and creek access. This is dry camping at its finest, so come prepared!

The Climb to Breathtaking Views

An past wildfire took out some of the trees, but the views are nothing short of amazing

As you continue along Trestle Creek Road, you’ll begin a series of switchbacks climbing steeply into the mountains. Trust us, this drive is worth it for the views alone. We climbed around 2,000 feet, taking in jaw-dropping mountain vistas and wildflowers that seemed to bloom everywhere, even as we entered the fall season. It was 90 degrees in town, but up here, it felt like a perfect 75.

About halfway up, you’ll find Trailhead 55, a favorite hunting spot of our son. He camps here during hunting season, scanning the mountains for game from his truck. He hasn’t had much luck yet, but we think that adds to the thrill!

Lunch Peak Look out tower from the Intersection (left to lunch peak, right to lightning creek)

Wilderness Blooming Year-Round

One thing we’ve absolutely loved about spending so much time in this area is witnessing nature in every season. No matter when you come, something is always blooming—wildflowers in the spring and summer, vibrant leaves in the fall, and even berries in late summer. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and of course, huckleberries are plentiful here. It feels like an untouched paradise, with nature showing off its best colors throughout the year.

Hidden Gems: The Waterfalls

WE WENT BACK! OMG These Falls!

Now, the real reason we came out here today was to track down some hidden waterfalls we’d heard about. After climbing to the top of Trestle Creek, you’ll reach a three-way intersection. Take the right. Soon after, you will come to another 3-way, go right there as well, and begin your descent along Lightning Creek Road. You will eventually see a hidden left - you have to be looking for it, or you'll drive right by it - this left will bring you to a remote area where we found some dispersed camping spots, benches around a fire pit, and a secluded trail leading to the waterfalls.

The water was SOOOOO COLD!

At this point, there’s no signage, and the trailhead seems almost like a secret. But once you follow the path, you’ll come to a stunning gorge with waterfalls cascading into a deep, crystal-clear pool. The water looked waist-deep in some parts, and it looked like the perfect spot for a swim—if only it wasn’t so crowded that day!

We had hoped to hang out there with the dogs, but the area was packed, so we opted to explore more remote spots. Even though we didn’t stay, the sight of those falls was incredible, and we’ll definitely be back when it’s less busy. [Listen to our Return trip here!]

Planning Your Trip

If you’re itching to visit this hidden waterfall, we have the trailhead pinned on the map here so you can find it easily. There’s no cell service out there, so make sure to download maps or screenshots before heading out. Trust us, it’s worth the trek.

Bonus Spot: Lunch Peak Lookout

Before we wrap up, we’ve got to mention the Lunch Peak Lookout. If you take the left turn at the three-way intersection we mentioned earlier, you’ll head up to this old fire lookout tower. It’s now a short-term rental, offering 360-degree views that go on for days. Sunrise and sunset here are pure magic. If you’re in the mood for a scenic and secluded overnight stay, this is your spot.

Final Thoughts

We can’t wait to head back to Trestle Creek soon. Next time, we’ll definitely capture more photos and share all the details about the waterfalls in our upcoming episodes. If you’re in the Sandpoint area and love the outdoors, this is one spot you absolutely must visit. From winding mountain roads to hidden waterfalls, Trestle Creek is a wilderness lover’s dream.

Thanks for reading!

<3Cara