Diamond Butte Lookout
Diamond Butte Lookout is perched atop a 30-foot masonry tower on Diamond Butte at an altitude of 4,245 feet in the Custer National Forest approximately 40 miles from Ashland, Montana. The lookout was moved from its original location of Yeager Butte in 1958 and was an active fire lookout until 2001. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. This vantage point offers the chance to enjoy sunrises, sunsets and star gazing on clear nights. The lookout is accessible by car, but it is a 200-foot walk up a steep hill to the lookout from the parking area. Guests should be prepared to bring most of their own supplies and gear.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | 4 / 4 |
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 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
The lookout can accommodate 4 people and is furnished with a table, chairs and1 twin bed with mattress, a double futon with mattress and a cot. Propane appliances include a cook stove with an oven, lights and a heater. A few cooking and eating utensils are provided, along with a broom, mop and bucket. Parking and an outhouse with a pit toilet are located at the gate 200 feet below the lookout. A wagon is stored in the lookout's basement to help haul gear. Water and electricity are not available. Guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and washing. Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, towels and an ice chest are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Ashland, Montana: travel east on State Highway 212 for approximately 3 miles. Turn south onto Otter Creek Road hwy 484 and travel 20 miles. Just past the Fort Howes Work Center, turn east onto Taylor Creek Road and travel 12 miles to Sonnette Divide Road.
| Nearest town | Ashland, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45.2492° N, 105.9325° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBuffalo 2
17 mi from the campground · 25 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1 miBridge Canyon ↗10.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 9 more
- 1.7 miMason Prong4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 9 more
- 1.7 miN.fork Taylor Creek3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 9 more
- 1.9 miMiddle Plum Cr3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 9 more
- 2.2 miLyon Creek ↗6.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 9 more
- 2.5 miLower Plum Cr4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 9 more
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
Natural features
The lookout offers expansive views of the nearby hills and the distant Bighorn Mountains, which are about 100 miles away. Vegetation is sparse, but sagebrush and lupin thrive on the surrounding landscape. Wildlife in the area includes fox, black bear, antelope and a variety of bird species ( bear safety ).
Recreation
You can enjoy hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking near the lookout. Opportunities are available to enjoy off-road vehicle riding and hunting.
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 Diamond Butte Lookout?
Sites at Diamond Butte 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 Diamond Butte Lookout?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Diamond Butte Lookout have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Diamond Butte Lookout?
Yes, pets are allowed at Diamond Butte Lookout. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Diamond Butte Lookout?
You can enjoy hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking near the lookout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Diamond Butte Lookout?
Ashland, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Diamond Butte Lookout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cow Creek Campground And Picnic Area (15.8 mi, first-come), Blacks Pond Campground (18.5 mi, first-come), and Red Shale Campground (24.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby