Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout, Bozeman, MT

Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout is located in the Bozeman Ranger District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest (1 hr 14 min southwest of Bozeman, MT) with an elevation of 8,215 feet. The site is open all year. There is a fee of $65.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (34)

4.4 out of 5

5 star		71%
4 star		15%
3 star		0%
2 star		6%
1 star		6%

@BeccaM33F1F247 · Camped on Jun 26, 2024 at Campsite #1

We had an awesome night on Garnet Mtn watching a few storms roll in - unlike any thunderstorms weve ever experienced! The hike in was a steady climb but well maintained trail until the last .8 of a mile which is 4x4 road and not nearly as fun to walk on. The cabin was cozy, well stocked, and had incredible views in every direction. Only thing that sucked was how disgusting the outhouse was - it was the picture perfect place to get hantavirus so we just didnt even use it. Hopefully USFS can get it cleaned out at some point for future guests. Otherwise we had an amazing experience and hope to get back up there again some day!

@MattW9568616 · Camped on Jun 9, 2024 at Campsite #1

Beautiful hike to the lookout and very cool to stay in a place many don't get to see. We got there just before it started raining and it was awesome to watch the storm roll through. It was disappointing to see the previous guest had left a log smoldering in the wood stove and ash everywhere around the interior of the lookout that we had to clean up. Also the roof leaked like a sieve, and it would be great to see money put into the lookout to preserve it for future generations. Overall a great experience and our group has no problems dealing with less than ideal conditions, but it was disappointing to see that the lookout itself was somewhat in disrepair.

@KristinM315479 · Camped on May 19, 2024 at Campsite #1

Absolutely incredible. Highly recommend.

@JohannS8DA3F32 · Camped on Apr 26, 2024 at Campsite #1

So Awesome. Extremely foggy on hike up, cleared up somewhat in the morning. Previous campers leave supplies they didn't use, including food and propane. Take some and leave some. Log books are all full though! Make sure you bring enough water

@ElliotF636446B · Camped on Apr 17, 2024 at Campsite #1

Beautiful view! The cabin is stocked with plenty of wood, even late into the winter. The cabin is also well stocked with pots and pans which I wasn't expecting but made it really easy to cook. Expect lots of wind up atop the mountain!

@DrewW4844495 · Camped on Apr 3, 2024 at Campsite #1

10/10 would do again

@MegS4027877 · Camped on Mar 31, 2024 at Campsite #1

Better than I expected. Well stocked with pots and pans. Games and puzzles. Coleman stove was great and the firewood was greatly appreciated. Looking forward to coming here again

@BRENDANH260712 · Camped on Jan 25, 2024 at Campsite #1

Skied in. Beautiful day. Had lots of fun. Cabin very nice. Thank you

@JohnW4841416 · Camped on Jan 20, 2024 at Campsite #1

Well stocked, good condition and clean. The folks before us left the cabin clean and they had stocked the wood box. We left it in even cleaner condition and restocked the wood box and we sharpened the axes. One note, the wood stove door doesn't seal well and as a result you can't in essence control the dampers. The stove will burn through the entire fire box of wood in about 60 minutes. It was thus impractical to keep the stove burning through the night. A note for the Forest Service - the firebrick on the inside of wood stove is cracked and is in bad shape. The stove will need some serious work soon to perform safely.

@TiaS7788542 · Camped on Nov 24, 2023 at Campsite #1

Great lookout! Tons of firewood is located underneath the cabin, which should keep all the winter residents toasty throughout the winter. The lookout could use a new log book donated as the current one is full. We had two visitors while we were there, but they were friendly and respectful.

@MichaelO624286 · Camped on Nov 3, 2023 at Campsite #1

The fire LookOut was incredible!

@DaneS4174192 · Camped on Sep 20, 2023 at Campsite #1

Healthy hike to the hut. Remember, there is no water so must haul up what you will need for the stay.

@LaurenW6076022 · Camped on Jul 13, 2023 at Campsite #1

Really beautiful spot with outhouse nearby. The flies were pretty bad and despite the copious amounts of odds and ends that have accumulated in the cabin, there was no fly swatter which would have been really handy. Also out of TP in the outhouse, so remember to bring extra!

@DavidA3218244 · Camped on Jan 8, 2023 at Campsite #1

I appreciated the cleanliness, tidiness, and well-stocked wood the previous party left for me! In the same spirit, I tried to do the same.

@AmandaF1656528 · Camped on Dec 27, 2022 at Campsite #1

Great lookout. We snowmobiled the whole 12 miles in rather than trying to drive part of it even though the road was still technically open (we clocked it at 10.5 miles total actually). Lots of wind during our stay but we were warm and cozy in the cabin thanks to plenty of wood stocked. Highly suggest bringing your own hatchet as the one there is very dull. We left extra kindling since we had a nice sharp one with us. Huge shoutout to the forest service for keeping this in great shape.

@HaydenM5837620 · Camped on Nov 23, 2022 at Campsite #1

This is the only thing the US government is really great at, props.

@JamesB7853748 · Camped on Oct 18, 2022 at Campsite #1

This lookout is beautiful and well equipped. The only downside to staying here is that if you are hiking in, you must schlep all your water four miles and 2,500 vertical feet to the summit of a mountain. Plan accordingly. And be sure to give yourself plenty of time at the lookout to enjoy the peace, quiet, and beautiful surroundings.

@StephenP202589 · Camped on Sep 27, 2022 at Campsite #1

My now-wife and i got engaged on the deck of this firewatch lookout in 2016, and finally were able to go back for another stay. Just as beautiful and memorable as it was the first time. We plan on going back as often as possible.

@FRANCESCA92414 · Camped on Sep 11, 2022 at Campsite #1

Steady, steep climb with beautiful views.

@OdyL7984896 · Camped on Feb 17, 2022 at Campsite #1

Cozy, warm, good views.

@JessicaR455769 · Camped on Dec 23, 2021 at Campsite #1

Beautiful views! Lots of firewood available (thank you!!!!!)! Best stove we’ve used! Kept the cabin warm and cooked some delicious food. Can’t wait to try and stay here again.

@JessicaR737 · Camped on Dec 23, 2021 at Campsite #1

Beautiful views! Lots of firewood available (thank you!!!!!)! Best stove we’ve used! Kept the cabin warm and cooked some delicious food. Can’t wait to try and stay here again.

@MalcomC444 · Camped on Dec 15, 2021 at Campsite #1

Unable to snowmobile to the lookout due to ice under fresh snow along the trail in the steep sections. The trail was not groomed. The Forest Service does not give refunds due to weather conditions, so be aware.

@MalcomC5278441 · Camped on Dec 15, 2021 at Campsite #1

@DanielH5239181 · Camped on Aug 29, 2021 at Campsite #1

It's quite the hike up to the top of Garnet Mountain but worthwhile. My only complaint would be the constant stream of motorized recreation coming up during the day and making a racket.

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