Entry No. 54 — the Missoula file — filed under: outdoor-weird

West Fork Butte Lookout

This is the closest rentable fire lookout to Missoula, about an hour and a half out in the Lolo National Forest, and one of the few you can book nearly year-round. You sleep in a historic 14-by-14-foot lookout cab set on a rocky knob, with near-360-degree views over Lolo Peak and the Bitterroot Mountains. Inside there are four bunk beds, a table and chairs, a propane cook stove and lantern, and a wood stove for heat. There is no running water or electricity, so bring your own water and plan for a genuinely off-grid stay. Heads up: the road gate is closed December 1 to April 30, when you have to hike, ski, or snowmobile roughly 7.5 miles in.

The move: Reserve the tower on Recreation.gov well ahead, haul up your own water and food, and spend a night watching the sunset and stars wrap 360 degrees around the cab with the wood stove going.

📍 Before you go Reservation required via Recreation.gov; sleeps up to 4, 3-night max stay. No water or electricity; bring everything. Closest lookout to Missoula bookable year-round, but high-clearance/snow access varies by season.

• 📍 Lolo National Forest (SW of Missoula)
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Lolo National Forest, near Lolo Hot Springs/Graves Creek area, MT (book via Recreation.gov)

Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3

last checked: 2026-06-24