Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental
Garver Mountain Lookout is perched on top of Garver Mountain at an elevation of 5,874 feet. The lookout is located in the Yaak area of the Kootenai National Forest, characterized by its minimal services and rugged beauty. This destination is ideal for visitors with an adventurous attitude, looking for a plethora of outdoor activities. Garver Mountain Lookout has been used as an observation point for detecting forest fires since 1929. The first lookout was a one-story log cabin, which is still on the site. The current lookout was built in 1963 and is available for rent for up to four people.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | No / No | 4 / 2 | 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
| Max vehicle length | 22 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The current lookout is 144 square feet and 40 feet tall. The lookout is equipped with 2 twin beds with 4 mattresses, a wood stove, table, chairs, shovel bucket and cleaning gear. Due to vandalism, however, these items are not guaranteed. The lookout tower is a short but steep hike from the end of the road parking. There is a pit toilet located outside. Although there are a few amenities provided, guests will need to bring their own supplies such as drinking water, sleeping bags, pillows, toilet paper, matches, food and cooking utensils, to ensure a comfortable stay.
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 9.5 miles to Yaak Highway 508. Follow Yaak Highway 508 north for 30 miles to the town of Yaak. Continue on Yaak Highway 92 to French Garver Road 276, turn right and follow road to junction with road 5857. Follow 5857 to the gate to Garver Mountain.
| Nearest town | Troy, Montana |
| Coordinates | 48.9291° N, 115.7951° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The lookout is not wired for electricity and water sources are limited.
Fire nearby
- WildfireUpper Smith
37 mi from the campground · 4,848 acres · 41% contained
- WildfireParker Lake
38 mi from the campground · 1,531 acres · 1% contained
- WildfireSilver
45 mi from the campground · 2,593 acres · 30% 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 ↗ | 17.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Kootenay RV ↗ | 35.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miGarver Mountain Lookout0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miGarver Spring0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miGarver Mountain ↗4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
- 0.5 miMount Obermayer3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowmobile
- 1.1 miFrench Creek1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miBeetle Creek Snowmobile3.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
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
Kootenai National Forest begins about 1 mile away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1 miKootenai 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 Yaak area is home to grizzly bears, wolves, elk, deer and a variety of smaller mammals and birds. The Yaak River and its many tributaries provide habitat for cutthroat, rainbow, brook and bull trout. There are also several lakes scattered at varying elevations for hikers and fisherman to enjoy.
Recreation
Garver Creek is located near the lookout and offers opportunities for trout fishing. Day hiking is another popular pastime in the area around the lookout. The Lookout is situatied along the Pacific Northwest National Scenic trail, and through hikers may visit you in the lookout.
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 Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Sites at Garver 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 Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental?
The longest site here provides 22 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Yes, pets are allowed at Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Garver 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
What is there to do at Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Garver Creek is located near the lookout and offers opportunities for trout fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental?
Troy, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pete Creek Campground (7 mi, first-come), Whitetail Campground (7.1 mi, partly first-come), and Whitetail Yurt (7.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby