#5351 - The Baum Shelter, Warren, ID - 8/23/23

The Baum Shelter Too, Warren, Idaho

The community of Warren, Idaho was established in what was then still Washington Territory after gold was discovered in Warren Creek in 1862. Over the next decade the population boomed to over 2,000, including over 1,000 Chinese miners. The boom days are long past now and the year-round population was recently counted at 7, but that doesn’t mean the town some 45 miles north of McCall — the last 16 unpaved — does not have a fine bar and grill. 

In 1975 Larry and Gale Baum purchased the place and created the original “Baum Shelter.” (Larry just passed away in April 2024.) Since that time, various friends of the Baums have run the business, at one point renaming it the Winter Inn. When the business was acquired by current owner Carol Lungren, who had been friends with the Baums from before either of them owned property in Warren, it re-established the old name (now “Baum Shelter Too”). 

The rustic decor is full of old artifacts and pictures, with big scrapbooks full of old newspaper stories and notes on local history. One of the many I pulled out:

"March 17, 1884 - From observations it is apparent that a few gossips and mischief makers of this town are listened to by many as oracles of the gods, and hence the emnity that is engendered between families and neighbors. These gossips are not confined to one sex."

The Baum Shelter Too now serves a broad menu of traditional pub foods to locals, hikers, hunters, snowmobilers, and other visitors. It is also said to now serve the "World’s Greatest Finger Steaks." It's worth the drive, no matter what you're riding.

131 Bemis Gulch Rd, Warren, ID 83671 - (208) 636-4393
Est. 1975 
Previous bars in this location: Winter Inn
Web sites: facebook - instagram 
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor - visitmccall.org