Big Hole Lookout
The Big Hole Lookout offers guests an opportunity to experience an old-time Forest Service lookout. The tower commands an impressive 360 degree view of valleys and mountain ranges for miles and miles. We are excited to offer this new, unique opportunity on the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. The lookout can be accessed on the Big Hole Lookout Trail by foot, horse or bicycle for 3 miles, one way, on a easy to moderate trail. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Fire lookouts | 1 |
Amenities & rules
The 14-by-14 structure is small, but can accommodate up to four people. There is a twin bed for with a mattress pad, two cots, a table with two chairs, and a wood stove. No other furnishings are provided. A rustic outhouse with a vault toilet is available about 200 feet from the lookout. Guests will need to bring water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as their own bedding and cots for additional sleeping options, cooking and eating equipment and fuel, cooking and eating utensils, flashlights, matches and toilet paper, among other necessities. There is no water available at the site, however, 3/4 mile downhill of the lookout is a spring with non-potable water. There is room plenty of room outside the tower for tents or stock animals. Guests should be prepared for cold and often wet or damp weather, even if the weather in the valley is warm and dry. Food, garbage and other waste needs to be put away at all times to avoid attracting bears. Firewood may be collected locally for the wood stove.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Plains, Montana travel northwest on Highway 200 for approximately 7.5 miles to Weeksville Creek Road (FR 887). From Thompson Falls, Montana travel southeast on Highway 200 for approximately 17.5 miles to Weeksville Creek Road (FR 887).
| Nearest town | Plains, Montana |
| Coordinates | 47.6042° N, 115.0703° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The structure is small and is not elevated like many other lookouts, and is available for rent from June to early October each year.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx D7 Lost Creek 155/559
31 mi from the campground · 17 acres
- WildfireNugget Hill
35 mi from the campground · 35 acres
- PrescribedD4 Rx Hwy 50 Roadside Salvage
36 mi from the campground
- PrescribedD4 Rx Simmons Peak
37 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 38.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bish's RV ↗ | 52.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miBig Hole Lookout2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miBay State Creek ↗5.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miTodd Springs3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miSpring Creek ↗7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle
- 0.8 miSheep Camp1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle
- 1.2 miMunson Creek ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- IOOF LodgeBuilding · Thompson Falls · 12.7 mi
- Preston HouseBuilding · Thompson Falls · 12.7 mi
- Northern Pacific WarehouseBuilding · Thompson Falls · 12.8 mi
Natural features
Big Hole Peak Lookout was built for what was originally the Cabinet National Forest in 1930. It is a ‘Grange Hall’ type lookout; 14 feet square with four courses of large logs atop a short talus foundation. This type of lookout predates the standard L-4 design, and due to the difficulty in its construction, is quite rare. In fact Big Hole Peak Lookout is one of only two remaining intact lookouts of this kind on the Lolo National Forest. It was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 for the Lookouts on the Lolo Project. The site has not been used for fire detection purposes since 1972. The 2 million-acre forest includes four wilderness areas and a wide variety of trees, plants and wildlife. The area is home to mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, deer and grizzly and black bears (learn more about bear safety). Both the bald and golden eagle reside in the forest, along with trumpeter swan, herons and dozens of varieties of ducks.
Recreation
Big Hole Lookout has an amazing 360 degree view of several mountain peaks and ranges. Various non-motorized trails link to the site allowing renters to hike, bike, or ride for several miles. The area is popular for wildlife viewing, star gazing, and enjoying the piece and quiet of the backcountry.
Guidebooks for Montana
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Big Hole Lookout?
Sites at Big Hole Lookout are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Big Hole Lookout have?
1 site, including 1 lookout.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Big Hole Lookout?
Big Hole Lookout has an amazing 360 degree view of several mountain peaks and ranges. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Big Hole Lookout?
Plains, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Big Hole Lookout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Copper King Campground (5.6 mi, first-come), Cabin City Campground (18.2 mi, partly first-come), and Fishtrap Lake Campground (18.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby