Granite Butte Lookout
The Granite Butte Lookout is located at 7,587 feet above sea level atop the Continental Divide of North America. The 15' by 15' lookout cabin sits atop a 20' tall wooden tower that was first built in 1932. The structure was rebuilt in 1962 and has been recently renovated. This tower was listed on the national register of historic lookouts in 2008 and offers guests a glimpse into the life of a Forest Service Lookout. Located near Lincoln, MT the lookout offers direct access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail which stretches along the back bone of the continent from Canada to Mexico.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Fire lookouts | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRANITE BUTTE LOOKOUT | Pull-through | 800 | Gravel | 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 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The lookout is furnished with one twin bed with a mattress and three twin cots. The lookout can accommodate a maximum of four people. The lookout is equipped with a table, chairs, woodstove, propane cook stove, propane powered lanterns, silverware and dishes. The lookout does not have electricity or indoor plumbing. A vault toilet is on-site near the lookout. Guests will need to bring their own water for drinking and washing. Guests are advised to bring sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, propane, garbage bags and other personal effects. All garbage must be packed out and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. A broom and cleaning supplies are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
The lookout is located approximately 16 miles southeast of Lincoln. It can be reached via Stemple Pass Road #601, which leaves downtown Lincoln at the blinking light and joins Highway 279 north of Helena. Follow Stemple Pass Road for approximately 14 miles to the top of the pass and then turn onto Marsh Creek Road #485.
| Nearest town | Lincoln, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.8630° N, 112.4648° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- An axe and splitting maul are available for splitting wood and firewood will usually be stacked at the base of the tower, but it is not guaranteed.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHogum Creek Road Piles Rx
8 mi from the campground · 5 acres
- PrescribedBear Gulch Rx
27 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- PrescribedWakina Sky Rx
28 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- PrescribedSure Thing Swamp Rx
30 mi from the campground · 180 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Bob Ward's Sports & Outdoors ↗ | 26.8 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | D & D RV Center ↗ | 28.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The nearby town of Lincoln offers restaurants, bars, art galleries, a sculpture park, and many events that are put on in the community throughout the summer. Visitors can also access the scenic Blackfoot River and Copper Creek from town and the nearby area.
- 9 miFlesher Pass Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.8 miCellar Gulch3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
- 2.3 miHelmville - Gould Trail ↗13.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.8 miRooster Bill1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miNevada Creek Trail ↗5.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowshoe
- 4.5 miHogum Creek3.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.6 miStemple Pass Trailhead ↗Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest · Season All year
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
Lolo National Forest begins about 2.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 2.1 miLolo National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,625,457 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
- Summit LodgeBuilding · Helena · 4.6 mi
- Methodist-Episcopal Church of MarysvilleBuilding · Marysville · 11 mi
- Lincoln LodgeBuilding · Lincoln · 12.1 mi
Natural features
The lookout is located atop a grassy ridge directly on the Continental Divide. The area around the cabin offers spectacular views, abundant wildflowers, high elevation white bark pine stands, open meadows, and large rock outcroppings. There are lower elevation conifer stands and streams located nearby as well. Wildlife in the area abounds; including the more common elk, mule and white-tailed deer, squirrel, black bear, and a variety of birds. The more elusive grizzly bear, badger, wolverine, mountain lion, and lynx can be found here as well.
Recreation
The Continental Divide Trail passes right by the lookout tower and offers guests access to as many miles as they care to hike, bike, or ride on horseback. There are several other trails for guests to explore within a 1/2 hour drive. The cabin also offers winter recreation opportunities with cross-country skiing opportunities out the back door and nearby access to over 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.
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 Granite Butte Lookout?
Sites at Granite Butte 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 Granite Butte Lookout?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Granite Butte Lookout have?
1 site, including 1 lookout.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Granite Butte Lookout?
Yes, pets are allowed at Granite Butte Lookout. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Granite Butte Lookout?
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
What is there to do at Granite Butte Lookout?
The Continental Divide Trail passes right by the lookout tower and offers guests access to as many miles as they care to hike, bike, or ride on horseback. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Granite Butte Lookout?
Lincoln, Montana. The nearby town of Lincoln offers restaurants, bars, art galleries, a sculpture park, and many events that are put on in the community throughout the summer.
Source: Getting there
What if Granite Butte Lookout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Aspen Grove Group Use Area (8.6 mi), Copper Creek Campground (16.6 mi, first-come), and Quigley Group Use (22.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby