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Lookout Cabin Rentals

RED LODGE POST

Fire Lookout Cabins in Montana National Forests

National Forests Montana
Montana National Forests. Map courtesy National park Service.

Some travelers seek a place to get off the grid. Lookout cabins fit this description. Lookout cabins are rustic accommodations owned by the National Forest Service. Located in remote areas, they are available to the public for modest rental fees.

Over many years, the National Forest Service built lookout towers to watch for forest fires. To make life a bit better for the ranger on duty, a cabin of sorts with some basic amenities was added to the top of lookout towers.

Lookout cabin MT
Lookout tower and cabin (with basic amenities), at the top. Located in a Montana National Forest. Photo courtesy National Forest Service.

Access to lookouts is usually over primitive, rough roads, so a high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended. In some cases, parking is some distance away from the lookout and visitors have to hike in. A strenuous three and one-half mile hike uphill gets you to Medicine Point Lookout in Lolo National Forest, for example.

Here is a list of lookout cabins for rent in Montana’s National Forests.

Flathead National Forest

  • Mission Lookout: 40-ft tower, near Bigfork
  • Hornet Lookout: 2-story lookout, near Polebridge

Kootenai National Forest

  • Yaak Mountain Lookout: 45-ft tower, near Troy
  • Baldy-Buckhorn Ridge: 26-ft tower, near Troy
  • Garver Mountain Lookout: 40-ft tower, near Troy
  • Sex (yes, correct spelling) Peak Lookout: cabin, near Trout Creek
  • Minton Peak Lookout: 5-ft tower, near Libby
  • Gem Peak Lookout: 30-ft tower, near Noxon
  • Big Creek Baldy Lookout: 52-ft tower, near Libby
  • Webb Mountain Lookout: short tower, near Rexford
  • Wam Lookout: cabin, near Eureka
  • McGuire Mountain Lookout: cabin, near Rexford

Bitterroot National Forest

  • McCart Lookout: 10-ft tower, near Sula
  • Gird Point Lookout: 8-ft tower, near Darby
  • Medicine Point Lookout: 10-ft tower, near Conner

Lolo National Forest

  • Up Up Lookout: 40-ft tower, near Haugen
  • Thompson Peak Lookout: multiple-story, near Superior
  • Double Arrow Lookout: 20-ft tower, near Seeley Lake
  • Cougar Peak Lookout: cabin, near Thompson Falls
  • West Fork Butte Lookout: cabin, near Lolo

Custer-Gallatin National Forest

  • Diamond Butte Lookout: 30-ft tower, near Broadus
  • Garnet Mountain Lookout: short tower, near Gallatin Gateway

Lewis & Clark National Forest

  • Monument Peak Lookout: cabin, near White Sulphur Springs

Helena National Forest

  • Granite Butte Lookout: 20-ft tower, near Lincoln

For a complete description of lookout cabins in Montana’s national forests go to Recreation.gov.  Just type in the name of the lookout you’re interested in. This Website has a ton of essential information on each lookout.

Read the information carefully so you know what to expect when you arrive at a particular lookout. Some amenities are usually provided at lookout cabins, but a lot of things that you’ll need must be brought from home.

Granite Butte Lookout, near Lincoln, Montana, is an example of how lookouts are furnished. This lookout has a twin bed, with mattress, and three twin costs. The lookout comes with a table and chairs. A propane stove, propane lantern, and a wood stove are also provided. However, bring your own propane.

As a reminder that this lookout is off the grid, there is no electricity or running water. Guests bring drinking water and water for washing with them. Guests also bring their own bedding, towels, and other personal necessities. A vault toilet is nearby.

After leaving the lookout, guests are expected to clean up facilities and pack out garbage. Bring garbage bags. A broom and basic cleaning supplies are on site.

Granite Butte Lookout accommodates four guests. Furnishings may vary from one lookout to another, so carefully read details about the site you plan to visit in advance.

Reservations for lookouts can be booked on the Recreation.gov Website. A search for a specific lookout on Google or Bing also leads to a Web page on Recreation.gov which provides full information.

Lookouts come with hazards, so be aware. Weather can get nasty, navigating/climbing steps from ground level to the top of a lookout can be challenging, and bears roam the forests, to name a few. Recreation.gov says, “guests are responsible for their own safety.”

Lookout cabins are a great way to experience nature. Views of forests and mountains from the top of lookout towers are spectacular. And, as an added benefit, you can enjoy wildlife which may be nearby. Solitude for sure!




Absaroka Mountain, Mont.

© 2021 John Sandy

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RSS Glacier Official News

  • Glacier National Park 2023 Vehicle Reservations Open February 1 30/01/2023
  • Glacier National Park Announces Plans for 2023 Reservations 16/12/2022
  • Glacier National Park Hiring for the 2023 Season 21/11/2022
  • Going-to-the-Sun Road Closes October 16 14/10/2022

RSS Yellowstone Official News

  • Yellowstone's winter season begins Dec. 15, 2022 08/12/2022
  • UPDATE: Yellowstone National Park releases name of individual involved in incident at West Thumb Geyser Basin 17/11/2022
  • Yellowstone visitation statistics for October 2022 15/11/2022

Hiking In Helena Montana

Want to go hiking in the mountains. Try the trail that goes to the top of Mt. Helena, in Helena. This is an easy one even for young people. Elevation at top, 5,468 feet. Biking allowed too. The view of the mountains to the south and west from the top is awesome.

Don’t Miss in Montana

Montana Historical Society Museum in Helena. *** Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. *** Bigfork, a quaint and charming town in the wilderness. *** Funky downtown Missoula.

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Shop Merino Wool Clothing

Made is Montana is always special. For the finest Merino Wool clothing go online to DuckworthCo.com. Wool used in their products comes from sheep raised on a ranch in southwest Montana.

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Luxury vacation destinations offer extra nice lodging, great cuisine, and abundant activities, all in beautiful surroundings:. Triple Creek Ranch near Darby, Montana in the Bitterroot Valley offers so much. (406) 821-4600. TrippleCreekRanch.com. *** The Resort at Paws Up near Greenough, Montana, located 35 minutes northeast of Missoula, rivals the best. (877) 580-6343. PawsUp.com *** The Sage Lodge, a few miles south of Livingston, Montana, offers luxury and great amenities. This is a new resort. In a word, very Nice. (855) 400-0505. SageLodge.com *** The Silver Bow Club, in southwest Montana, offers luxury and wonderful outdoor activities. In Divide, Montana. (406) 491-2157. Silverbowclub.com ***

Gold Prospecting Supplies

The Prospector Shop is on U.S. Highway 12 a few miles west of Helena, Montana. A great place to pick up all kinds of supplies needed for prospecting. Gold mining pans and more. Nice souvenirs here too for wanna-be prospectors. Call (406) 442-1872.

Starbucks in Montana Too

Hey you are in far away Montana.  But finding a familiar coffee shop is a good thing.  Starbucks coffee houses:  in Billings (Grand Avenue); in Kalispell (Main Street); in Bozeman (Main Street) in Missoula (Reserve Avenue); in Helena (Prospect Avenue); in Great Falls (10th Ave. South).

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