Cougar Peak Lookout

Current Conditions

Closes 10/15/2026.

Cougar Peak offers an opportunity to experience the lifestyle of early day Forest Service fire lookouts. The scenery is exceptional. It commands an impressive view of the river valley and the surrounding Cabinet Mountains. The 14x14-foot lookout cabin sits on the ground (not elevated). It is available for rent from June 20 to September 18 each year. The lookout can be accessed by vehicle, although late spring snow drifts may compromise parts of the road, requiring visitors to hike a short distance. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

View the site through the interactive map.

Cougar Peak Lookout

Images of the Cougar Peak Lookout on the Lolo National Forest, Montana. (US Forest Service Photo by Kate Jerman)

Reservations

Make Reservations Here

Reservations required through Recreation.gov.

General Information

The 14x14-foot lookout structure is small, but can accommodate two to four people. There is a single bed, a table and two chairs and a wood stove. No other furnishings are provided. Bring your own gas stove for cooking, all cooking, eating and washing utensils and implements as well as bathroom tissue, sleeping pads and cots. Pack out your own garbage. Firewood may be collected locally for the heating stove in the lookout. There is room nearby to set up a small tent if additional sleeping space is needed. Cougar Peak is within grizzly bear habitat. Visitors to the lookout and surrounding area need to be aware of the possibility of encountering a bear.

June 14 - October 1

Arrival is no earlier than 2:00pm. Departure is no later than 11:00am.

Please visit the Forest's Alerts page for information on restrictions, in particular please review the Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order to help reduce the likelihood of human-to-bear conflicts.

Overnight Use:
$45 per night

Pets are not allowed in the Lookout.

Photo of the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger Station in Plains, Montana on an early spring day.

Address: 408 Clayton Plains, MT 59859
Phone: 406-826-3821
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 47.744403

Longitude: -115.383686

Directions

From Thompson Falls, travel west on state highway 200. Turn right on the Blue Slide Road which is about a mile from Thompson Falls. Drive 9 miles along the Blue Side Road and turn right onto the Cougar Peak Road #403. Follow the road to the end. Lookout cabin sits on the ground near the end of Road #403. 150-foot walk to lookout.