Monument Peak Lookout
Monument Peak Lookout offers guests an impressive yet rustic room with a view. The lookout, built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is perched atop Monument Peak, boasting spectacular 360 degree views of the Little Belt Mountains. The lookout was once used to spot forest fires but was left unused since the 1970s. In 1999, the lookout was removed from its 50 foot pole, restored and placed on a short, solid foundation for public rental use. A high clearance vehicle is recommended, as the 2 miles of road leading up to the cabin are rough and rocky. During wet conditions the entie road may be muddy and often times slippery.
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 |
|---|---|
| 001 | 2 / – |
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
The rustic lookout has two beds with mattresses, two propane lanterns, a table and chairs and a propane cooking stove. Pots, pans, dishes and utensils are included but are limited. A vault toilet is about 100 feet from the structure. No water, electricity or plumbing is available. Recommended items to bring include drinking water, bedding, flashlights, food, small propane canisters, firewood, matches and a cooler.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Great Falls, go east on U.S. Highway 87/89 about 22 miles (just past Belt) and turn right (south) at the rest area onto U.S. Highway 89 (heading toward Monarch and Neihart). Go about 9.5 miles and turn right on County Road 340.
| Nearest town | Harlowton, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.9978° N, 111.0983° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedMonarch Unit 141 Piles Rx
14 mi from the campground · 2 acres
- PrescribedCoyote Divide Piles Rx
16 mi from the campground
- PrescribedKings Hill Cabin Piles Rx
22 mi from the campground · 1 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Couger Canyon Lodge ↗ | 14.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Gardener's RV ↗ | 34.8 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 38.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 4.1 miTaylor Hills Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.6 miSouth Pilgrim Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miBald Hills ↗7.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.5 miOld Baldy ↗8.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.2 miDeep Creek Ridge ↗8.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 1.2 miS Fk Deep Creek ↗5.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.2 miMonument Connector2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.9 miLogging Creek ATV2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 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.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
- inHelena-Lewis and Clark National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,177,729 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 lookout sits at 7,395 feet in elevation, offering views of Monument Ridge and Strawberry Ridge. The surrounding region is a dense coniferous forest with fir, spruce and pine trees. Lewis and Clark National Forest has many miles of streams and fishing opportunities. Native wildlife includes black bears, mule-deer, white-tailed deer, elk, bald eagles, mountain lions and other species.
Recreation
Small and big game hunting is popular in the area. Hiking, OHVing and wildlife viewing are also enjoyed.
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 Monument Peak Lookout?
Sites at Monument Peak 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 Monument Peak Lookout?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Monument Peak Lookout have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Monument Peak Lookout?
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 Monument Peak Lookout?
Small and big game hunting is popular in the area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Monument Peak Lookout?
Harlowton, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Monument Peak Lookout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Logging Creek Campground (8.3 mi, first-come), Moose Creek Campground - Little Belt Mountains (15.4 mi, first-come), and Aspen Campground (15.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby