Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout
Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout sits on the apex of Garnet Mountain, at an elevation of 8,245 feet. The lookout provides a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Highlights include the Spanish Peaks to the west, the Gallatin Range to the south, the Hyalite Ridge to the east and the Gallatin River Valley to the north. The structure can be accessed by hiking, horseback or mountain bike on the Garnet Mountain Lookout Trail in the summer. The 4.5-mile trail gains 2,800 feet along its path. Motorcycles and ATVs can access the lookout via the Rat Lake Trail from June 16 through December 1. During winter months, guests must plan on skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing up to 10 miles.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | People / vehicles |
|---|---|
| 001 | 15 / – |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
The lookout can sleep up to four people on provided bunk beds with mattresses. There is a wood stove for heat that can also be utilized for cooking. Other amenities include a table with chairs, basic cookware, dishes and utensils. A vault toilet is located outside the facility. Firewood is provided for the wood stove, and there is a campfire ring outside as well. Water and electricity are not available. Guests must bring their own water supply, as well as garbage bags for packing out trash. Items such as bedding, flashlights or lanterns, dish soap, extra toilet paper and first aid supplies are also not provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
| Nearest town | Bozeman, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45.4267° N, 111.2064° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedShenango Pile Rx
3 mi from the campground
- PrescribedNorth Bridger Brackett Creek Pile Burning Rx
32 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx Hell'S Canyon
34 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Grizzly Outfitters ↗ | 12.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Valley Trailer Sales Inc ↗ | 22.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 11.7 miBlackmore Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 11.7 mi
- 13.3 miPalisade Falls Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miRat Lake ↗5.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- under 0.1 miGarnet Mtn (snowmo) ↗5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.6 miGarnet Mountain ↗3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.7 miPioneer Lakes3.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.3 miStorm Castle Mtn2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.3 miGallatin Riverside ↗2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Lee Metcalf Wilderness begins about 9.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 9.9 miLee Metcalf Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 242,068 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Spanish Creek SchoolBuilding · Gallatin Gateway · 7.5 mi
- Little Bear SchoolBuilding · Gallatin Gateway · 8.5 mi
- Crail Ranch BuildingsBuilding · Gallatin Gateway · 12.3 mi
Natural features
A fire lookout has existed on Garnet Mountain since 1930. The current structure was built in 1962. The lookout is available for reservation year-round. It is an excellent vantage point for watching sunrises and sunsets, or for gazing at the stars on a clear night. Grizzly bears are extremely common in this area, and gray wolves, mountain lions, deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and the Canada lynx also make their home here. A wide variety of bird species can also be seen.
Recreation
Hikers, mountain bikers and off-road vehicle riders can access the same trail used to get to the lookout. Snowy conditions offer abundant opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Big game hunting for bear, elk or moose is a popular autumn pastime around Garnet Mountain.
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 Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout?
Sites at Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout?
Hikers, mountain bikers and off-road vehicle riders can access the same trail used to get to the lookout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout?
Bozeman, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Spire Rock Campground (1 mi), Greek Creek Campground (3.4 mi), and Swan Creek Campground (4.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby