Mission Lookout, Bigfork, MT

Mission Lookout is located in the Swan Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest (2 hrs 4 min north of Missoula, MT) with an elevation of 3,654 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. There is a fee of $45.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (24)

4.8 out of 5

5 star		79%
4 star		13%
3 star		4%
2 star		0%
1 star		0%

@MaggieB9225784 · Camped on Jul 30, 2024 at Campsite #1

There are hornets everywhere trying to get in, you cant go outside because they swam you and since there is holes in the door screen and other screen the windows cant be open or they get in. Maybe there is a nest under the lookout since they dont seam to stir unless youre walking around?

@LisaM2898345 · Camped on Jul 3, 2024 at Campsite #1

Awesome as always but its short of a 5 star review because of the looky loos on foot and by vehicle that came up the driveway within the 1st couple hours of our stay! There should maybe be a sign at the gate that mentions that its a private rental to stop folks from walking and driving up.

@TiffanyC482040 · Camped on Oct 12, 2023 at Campsite #1

Great lookout! Great views!

@JAMESS8693241 · Camped on Jun 25, 2023 at Campsite #1

We have been coming to Mission Lookout since the summer of 2004, we Love it!! The improvements have been much appreciated. Our only complaint is that it is so popular now it is nearly impossible to get a reservation. If you are lucky enough to get there, you will enjoy it too!

@MaddiB73764C1C · Camped on Jun 8, 2023 at Campsite #1

Though it was cloudy and rainy, it was still one of the best places I’ve ever been. The lookout was very clean and well taken care of.

@ErynnM2857068 · Camped on Sep 29, 2022 at Campsite #1

Clean and beautiful, just what I needed. It is clear from the visitor book that everyone that visits really cares about it.

@KatieM6062957 · Camped on Sep 26, 2022 at Campsite #1

Mission LO is so wonderful. We arrived in the dark after driving 10 hour straight from the Washington Coast. The cabin was clean and well maintained and that vault toilet at the base was well stocked. There was wood already available at the fire pit as well. The cabin is well stocked with a gas stove, cleaning supplies (some of which were running out when we were there), board games, dishes, pots & pans, books, a lantern, and more! The star gazing was awesome from the tower and it was warm enough to sleep with the windows open. We heard some of the pack rats scrambling up the tower at night (thankfully they can't get past the trap door) and what we thought was a bear too (found some tracks and scat the next morning). If you have a chance to reserve Mission Lookout, I highly recommend it. It's the best maintained fire lookout I've been to!

@TimW5397967 · Camped on Sep 25, 2022 at Campsite #1

a night at the lookout was spectacular. I’m afraid of heights, and this stretched me, but we’ll worth it! Those bringing pets, please remember that those without them have a different standard of clean, there was a lot of dog hair to clean up from a previous guest. Don’t miss the stars at night, i happened to get a night with no moon, so the milky way was clear.

@DwayneM6159284 · Camped on Sep 16, 2022 at Campsite #1

Perfect.

@AnnaE6355761 · Camped on Aug 7, 2022 at Campsite #1

This is the nicest lookout I’ve ever stayed in. Brand new functioning windows on all sides, great stove, clean, beautiful spot. Note this lookout does not have 360-degree views but does have gorgeous view of the Swan Valley. It has one full size bed and two cots.

@TiaS7788542 · Camped on Aug 5, 2022 at Campsite #1

What a fantastic lookout! Definitely one of the "fancier" ones I've been to in Montana. One thing I especially liked about this one was screen door for great air flow. All the windows opened and had screens! The only place in the lookout I could get service (AT&T and Verizon) was the kitchen table. I did have a few groups of visitors, but everyone was friendly and respected I had the trap door closed and didn't want visitors.

@AaronR8689793 · Camped on Jun 19, 2022 at Campsite #1

Absolute perfection. Every view is like seeing the world on the first day of creation.

@AmberK2385014 · Camped on Jun 15, 2022 at Campsite #1

Excellent lookout. It definitely needs a propane heater or woodstove though.

@BriannaF771985 · Camped on May 28, 2022 at Campsite #1

I am so thankful we were lucky enough to jump on a last minute cancelation for this lookout. The views are stunning, the cabin was super clean and it felt good to leave it cleaner than we found it. 360° windows provide views of almost the entire swan Valley. Unfortunately you do have to wake up with the sun🌞. Very bright, very early! Hauling our water up 3 flights of stairs wasn't fun but I would do it 10x over, it was worth it. We hung out in the cabin, cooked, played games and just enjoyed being there. Thank you, USFS! P.S. just remember to bring your own wood if you want a fire 🔥 This one dosent have reserve like some others do! There is no heating source inside the cabin so I would suggest some body warmers for inside your sleeping bag to keep you toasty at night.

@DottyS3347274 · Camped on May 22, 2022 at Campsite #1

Great experience. Nice views. We had all kinds of weather and enjoyed them all - sun, rain, and fog. The tower is very comfortable for sleeping. We cooked on the fire, but a propane stove was available. Went to Holland Lake and holland Waterfall. Also so Van lake. Would love to go back!

@KassidiM572 · Camped on Aug 10, 2021 at Campsite #1

Very clean and peaceful. Great experience. Some supplies were available in the lookout as well.

@DAndreaW889 · Camped on Jul 14, 2021 at Campsite #1

We had a great time at Mission Lookout. Unfortunately the smoke limited the amazing views. Did hear the packrats at night, but didn't see any (thank goodness). Cabin was clean and beds comfortable. We parked our 16' teardrop at the base, which gave us a place to sit and cook, as the tower heats-up during the day. Nice to sleep up high and enjoy the cool breeze. We fly-fished and waded the Swan river which is close. Bathroom was clean and well supplied. We were there in mid Jul, be prepared for mosquitoes. Secondary road to the tower is a little rutted. Would suggest NFS install a picnic table at the base.

@JoshuaN367 · Camped on May 24, 2021 at Campsite #1

Awesome lookout. Great views and easily accessible.

@JulianaH674 · Camped on Oct 18, 2020 at Campsite #1

Love this fire tower! It’s my favorite one so far

@SarahM548 · Camped on Sep 7, 2020 at Campsite #1

Breath taking place! We had an amazing stay in this beautiful lookout. We will definitely be back to stay here again.

@ElysianM248 · Camped on Aug 9, 2020 at Campsite #1

This lookout was our first time staying in a lookout! The view was stunning! I went with my 6yr old son to watch the Perseid meteor shower(mid Aug) however, after swimming all day at Swan Lake we were too tuckered out to stay up till the sun went down. We also road our bikes on the gravel roads all over and hopped down through the Swan to check out some less populated lakes due to Covid. What an awesome experience! However, it took me quite a few hours to get used to the hieght. But once I did, it was very relaxing, quite, and had endless beauty!

@MaryW512 · Camped on Sep 2, 2019 at Campsite #1

I love lookout out towers, and this one was extra special. It was recently updated and everything was bright and clean. The road was easy to travel right to the tower. It was peaceful and relaxing and made a great base camp for exploring the area.

@HannahF320 · Camped on Aug 15, 2019 at Campsite #1

Of the five different lookouts I've stayed in throughout Montana, Mission Lookout is one of the best. The road to the lookout is very accessible. The Lookout is also equipped with new windows which was a treat. The space was very spacious and clean. It's definitely one of the higher lookouts I've stayed in but the view is worth it. We did receive some (human) visitors who both drove up to the lookout and one person who climbed the stairs. It was a little off putting to be visited by strangers like that. If you're at all able to book this lookout - do it!

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