Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental
Yaak Mountain Lookout rests atop its namesake peak at an elevation of 4,977 feet within the Rocky Mountains in the Kootenai National Forest. The lookout tower has been used as an observation point for spotting forest fires since 1958. The lookout is typically open from mid-June through late September. Access is available via primitive roads, and high clearance vehicles are recommended. This rustic retreat offers a few amenities, but guests will need to bring most of their own gear and supplies.
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 | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Pull-through | Gravel | No / No | 4 / 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 sits atop a 45-foot tower and has a catwalk encircling the cabin. It can accommodate up to 4 people and comes equipped with 2 twin beds and 4 mattresses. Other amenities include a propane stove, heater, lights, table and chairs, fire extinguisher and cleaning gear. An outhouse with vault toilet is located a short distance away. No electricity or water is available. Guests must bring their own supply of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Items such as cooking gear, bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, and towels 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 Troy, Montana, follow Highway 2 west for 3 miles to the East Side Road 176. Follow the East Side Road 176 for 2 miles north to the Kilbrennen Lake Road 2394. Follow Kilbrennen Lake Road 2394 approximately 2 miles to the Yaak Mountain Road 4407. You will find a gate on this road and need the combination code to enter.
| Nearest town | Troy, Montana |
| Coordinates | 48.5602° N, 115.9214° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireSilver
34 mi from the campground · 2,593 acres · 30% contained
- WildfireParker Lake
39 mi from the campground · 1,531 acres · 1% contained
- WildfireUpper Smith
40 mi from the campground · 4,848 acres · 41% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Everything RV ↗ | 20.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | North 40 ↗ | 33.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 36.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.8 miSears Flat Loop B1.1 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 1.8 miSears Flat Loop A1.7 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 1.8 miSears Flat X-C Ski0.3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 2.6 miFeeder Creek2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowmobile
- 3.6 miCougar Ridge X-C Ski3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 4.3 miFeeder Mountain4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowmobile
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
- 8.4 miIdaho Panhandle National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,943,333 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
- Theodore Roosevelt Memorial BridgeStructure · Troy · 6.4 mi
- Troy JailBuilding · Troy · 6.9 mi
Natural features
The lookout is located in the Yaak Area, which features mountainous and heavily forested terrain, as well as several lakes scattered at varying elevations. Guests can enjoy outstanding views of the town of Troy, especially for 4th of July fireworks, as well as the Kootenai and Yaak River valleys and the surrounding mountains. Kootenai National Forest supports populations of deer, elk, moose, grizzly and black bears, wolves and mountain lions ( bear safety ). A variety of smaller mammals and birds can also be found.
Recreation
Yaak Mountain Road is for non-motorized use only, with the exception of guests who reserve the lookout. Hikers can hike along this road, as well as explore the remnants of the structures that stood here before the current lookout. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout in the Kootenai River. The Yaak River and its many tributaries provide habitat for cutthroat, rainbow, brook and bull trout.
Nearby
Yaak Falls is a popular destination just a short drive northwest from Yaak Mountain. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, when the snowmelt finds its way over the falls.
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 Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Sites at Yaak 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 Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Yes, pets are allowed at Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Yaak 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 Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Yaak Mountain Road is for non-motorized use only, with the exception of guests who reserve the lookout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Troy, Montana. Yaak Falls is a popular destination just a short drive northwest from Yaak Mountain.
Source: Getting there
What if Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Yaak River Campground (2.4 mi), Kilbrennan Lake Campground (2.9 mi, first-come), and Yaak Falls Campground (6.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby