Site Open

West Fork Butte Lookout

Current Conditions

Closed April 1 to May 31.

West Fork Butte Lookout is an ideal place for guests to experience the mountains south of Missoula from a unique vantage point. The facility provides near-360-degree views of the surrounding area. It is equipped with basic supplies and provides guests a base camp location from which to explore the area. Access by vehicle is available for a relatively short time during the summer months and is variable during the spring and fall. The gate at the bottom of Forest Road 37 is closed December 1 to April 30 each year and, guests will need to hike, ski or snowmobile roughly 7.5 miles to the facility. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

The lookout can sleep up to four people and is equipped with bunk beds and mattress pads. The lookout also has a table and chairs, a propane cook stove and lantern, as well as a wood stove for heat. Cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils, cookware and other amenities may be available, but are not always guaranteed. A vault toilet is provided. Guests should bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. Bedding and towels, propane fuel canisters, flashlights, matches, lighters, garbage bags, toilet paper and cleaning supplies are not supplied at the facility. Guests are responsible for cleaning the lookout prior to departure.

The 14x14-foot lookout cab is situated on a rocky knob with spectacular views of the surrounding area, including Lolo Peak, the Bitterroot Mountains and the Lolo Creek drainage. The lookout is close to the Montana-Idaho border and Lolo Pass. The surrounding forest is comprised primarily of lodgepole pine and larch. The area is home to elk, moose, deer and black bears.

Hiking trails are available in the area. Visitors often bring cross-country skis or snowshoes for wintertime fun. Snowmobiles are often used to reach the lookout in the winter, and there is a system of groomed trails to explore nearby. Fishing is available in Lolo Creek.

View the site through the interactive map.

The Westfork Butte Lookout

Image of the Westfork Butte Lookout on the Lolo National Forest, Montana. (US Forest Service Photo by Kate Jerman)

Reservations

Make Reservations Here

Reservations required on Recreation.gov.

General Information

The cabin is equipped with a propane cooking stove, a wood stove, 4 metal bunk beds, broom/dust pan, dishes, utensils, pots, pans, and chairs. Bring your own bed linens/sleeping bag. We recommend that you bring your own lantern, lantern propane, matches/lighter, and cleaning supplies such as paper towels and cleaning spray. Please remember to clean the lookout when you leave. A lighter is useful to thaw the combination lock if frozen in winter. Firewood can be limited, so please conserve wood or bring your own.

Open June 1- March 31.

Check-in is at 3 p.m. and check-out is at 12 p.m.

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.

No smoking or candles in the lookout.

Overnight Use:
$55 per night

Pets are not allowed in the lookout.

Photo of the Lolo National Forest Supervisor's Office.

Address: 24 Fort Missoula Road Missoula, MT 59804
Phone: 406-329-3814
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 46.735122

Longitude: -114.415872

Directions

From Lolo, Montana drive 17 miles west on U.S. Highway 12. Turn left (south) onto West Fork Butte Road # 37 (near the Earl Tennant Campground). Follow Forest Road #37 approximately 6.9 miles to the second junction. Take a sharp turn to the left (north). Look for the West Fork Butte Lookout road sign and gate. Follow the road to the lookout. Winter Access: The gate at the beginning of Forest Road #37 is closed during the winter and early spring to provide skiing and snowmobiling opportunities.