Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental
McGuire Mountain Lookout was originally constructed in 1923 and was actively used as an observation point for detecting forest fires for over 20 years before it was abandoned around 1944. The structure was later renovated between 1983 and 1998 and is now available for rent for up to four people. McGuire Mountain is located approximately 14 miles southwest of Eureka. Access to the lookout requires a 2.5 mile hike from the parking area at Little Sutton Mountain; visitor arrival is dependent on road and weather conditions.
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 | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 4 / – | Yes | Standard |
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 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The lookout is a 12 x 12 foot wood-frame cabin with a pyramidal-shaped roof. On top of the roof there is a pyramidal-shaped cupola and a wooden ladder inside the cabin leading up to it. Windows completely surround the structure, providing a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. The main room is equipped with a modern wood stove, 2 twin size bed boards (no mattresses), a table, a bench, a shovel, a bucket and cleaning gear. Firewood is provided, but the supply cannot be guaranteed. There is no water available at the lookout and water sources in the area are limited. There is a toilet provided outside the lookout. Guests are advised to bring plenty of their own drinking water. In addition to water, several supplies are needed to ensure a comfortable stay. Sleeping bags and pads, cooking equipment, toilet paper, lanterns, food supplies and matches are recommended.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Access depends on weather conditions. The road is normally plowed within 14 miles of the cabin. McGuire Mountain is located approximately 14 miles southwest of Eureka and may be reached by taking Othorp Lake Road 854. Stay on this road to Pinkham Creek Road 856 and continue for approximately 13 miles.
| Nearest town | Eureka, Montana |
| Coordinates | 48.6835° N, 115.2027° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The rustic-style cabin is not wired for electricity.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 15.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Everything RV ↗ | 25.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | The Toggery ↗ | 43.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1 miMcGuire/Inch ↗11.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.7 miLydia Pinkham ↗9.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.2 miMcGuire Creek ↗7.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.5 miWarex Peak3.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.7 miTenmile ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
This campground sits inside Kootenai National Forest.
- inKootenai National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,622,202 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
Natural features
The McGuire Mountain Lookout is located in the Rexford Ranger district within the Koocanusa Area, which is primarily centered along the narrow 90-mile Koocanusa Reservoir, formed by the Libby Dam. The Koocanusa Reservoir is the major recreation attraction in the area and contains a large and stable population of Kookanee salmon, Kamloops (rainbow) trout, bull trout, West slope cutthroat trout and burbot. The Koocanusa Area is the perfect setting for year round recreational attractions, including: fishing, water sports, rock and ice climbing, and driving for pleasure, especially during the fall Western Larch color change.
Recreation
Backpacking opportunities abound in the area surrounding McGuire Mountain. Take trail #446 past the lookout and enjoy many more miles of scenic views. A day trip to Koocanusa Reservoir offers visitors the option of biking, fishing, hiking or boating around the lake. Trail #90, which starts just off of the Koocanusa Reservoir on Hwy 37, follows McGuire Creek closely for a scenic hike along the water. Because the McGuire Lookout is surrounded by windows on top of one of the area's tallest summits (almost 7,000 feet), visitors have the best views of the sunrise and sunset over the surrounding cabinet mountains.
Nearby
Two paved highways running adjacent to the reservoir and extending from Eureka to Libby have been designated by the Forest Service as a Scenic Byway. Traffic is light and views along the roadways are memorable, including glimpses of the Ural-Tweed Big Horn Sheep herd, located on the eastern side of the reservoir along Hwy 37.
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 Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Sites at Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Yes, pets are allowed at Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Backpacking opportunities abound in the area surrounding McGuire Mountain. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Eureka, Montana. Two paved highways running adjacent to the reservoir and extending from Eureka to Libby have been designated by the Forest Service as a Scenic Byway.
Source: Getting there
What if Mcguire Mtn. Lookout Rental is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Rocky Gorge Campground (5.4 mi, first-come), Peck Gulch Campground (5.6 mi, first-come), and Camp 32 (10.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby