Thompson Peak Lookout Tower
Thompson Peak Lookout provides great views of the Clark Fork Valley, the town of Superior, the Idaho state line and, of course, the big sky of Montana. It is close enough to Superior to allow for easy access, but remote enough to provide the quiet and solitude expected at a lookout. The modernized tower provides amenities not typical to a lookout, making it a desirable place to stay.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins with electric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 4 / 2 | Yes |
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
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The one-room rental cabin is equpped with 1 twin-bed with A mattress pad and sleeps up to four people. It is recommended to bring cots for additional sleeping options. The facility has electricity and cell phone service, as well as an electric stove, heater, microwave and small refrigerator. An outhouse with a vault toilet is provided. Guests will need to bring water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as bedding, towels, soap, garbage bags and toilet paper. Guests will need to clean the cabin before leaving. Some basic cleaning equipment and supplies are provided. The facility can be accessed by vehicle on available dates between May 20 and October 10. It is closed to the public during the remainder of the year. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Missoula, Montana, travel west on I-90 for about 55 miles to Exit 47 for Superior. Turn left at the stop sign. At the next stop sign turn left and proceed under the interstate. Turn left onto Diamond Match Road, towards the Exxon Gas Station, and continue just over a mile, then turn right onto Forest Service Road 320.
| Nearest town | Superior, Montana |
| Coordinates | 47.1783° N, 114.9075° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Some basic eating and cooking utensils are supplied, as well as pots and pans, however drinking water is not available.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx D7 Lost Creek 155/559
7 mi from the campground · 17 acres
- PrescribedD4 Rx Simmons Peak
18 mi from the campground
- WildfireNugget Hill
30 mi from the campground · 35 acres
- WildfireMoose Mountain
31 mi from the campground · 5,832 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 9.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bretz RV & Marine ↗ | 45.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 45.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1 miCedar Creek Driveway ↗8.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miVista1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.3 miThompson Creek ↗10.7 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- St. Regis Airway BeaconStructure · St. Regis · 10.1 mi
- Gildersleeve MineHistoric district · Superior · 11.5 mi
- Guy Ressler Homestead HouseBuilding · Huson · 13.5 mi
Natural features
The lookout is located on the third floor of a multiple story building that is used as a radio and cellular tower. Equipment is located on other floors of the building. It is constructed out of concrete blocks with an enclosed stairway, making it more suitable for children. The 2 million-acre Lolo National 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. Both the bald and golden eagle reside in the forest, along with trumpeter swan, herons and dozens of varieties of duck.
Recreation
A variety of trails exist in the area, allowing visitors a chance to explore the surrounding forest. Wildlife spotting is also a popular activity. Most of all, visitors come to the tower to relax and enjoy the scenery.
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 Thompson Peak Lookout Tower?
Sites at Thompson Peak Lookout Tower are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Thompson Peak Lookout Tower?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Thompson Peak Lookout Tower have?
1 site, including 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Thompson Peak Lookout Tower?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Thompson Peak Lookout Tower?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Thompson Peak Lookout Tower?
A variety of trails exist in the area, allowing visitors a chance to explore the surrounding forest. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Thompson Peak Lookout Tower?
Superior, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Thompson Peak Lookout Tower is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Trout Creek Campground (4.6 mi), Sloway Campground (6.8 mi, partly first-come), and Quartz Flat Campground (9.5 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby