Granite Butte Lookout, Lincoln, MT

Granite Butte Lookout is located in the Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 4 min northwest of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 7,598 feet. The site is open all year. There is a fee of $45.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (37)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		57%
4 star		22%
3 star		11%
2 star		3%
1 star		5%

@TimC9142347 · Camped on Mar 8, 2024 at Campsite #1

This is a great service at a reasonable price from the USFS. You cant beat the views and would be hard pressed to find a more remote location.

@JeffreyR327920 · Camped on Feb 2, 2024 at Campsite #1

One of a kind adventure!

@KyleW8796375 · Camped on Jan 26, 2024 at Campsite #1

The trip great overall.

@JoM25D54E27297 · Camped on Nov 24, 2023 at Campsite #1

This lookout was amazing! There was very little snow at the "Y" of the Stemple Pass Rd, so we attempted to drive all the way to the cabin. We were pleasantly surprised to be able to go the whole way with 4WD and Studded snow tires! There is plenty of wood at the cabin for the next several months for sure if not the next winter. We had packed our own wood as we were unsure if there would be, but there was plenty! There is also a small propane heater, but this is missing a thermocouple, so it is non functional. There were two small propane tanks there for the propane cook stove that we did not use. We had a great stay! Except for the beds are awful. My husband has chronic back pain, and although we had booked for two nights, we were unable to stay the second day as the foam pad on ply wood was just not sufficient. The additional beds are just camping cots. Nice ones! But still just spring frame camping cots. We will defiantly be back, but will only plan to stay one night.

@JuliaB5205767 · Camped on Aug 29, 2023 at Campsite #1

The lookout was left clean and mostly stocked. The outhouse was very clean and stocked. We happened to be there during a storm and the entire night it felt like we were on a train (moving and wind/rain noise). There were many flies inside when we arrived but there was a fly swatter (a new one may be warranted). Having the games there was nice as the wind and lightening prevented a desire to hike. Not super crowded, but there were a few through hikers who stopped by. The wood stove worked fine, we brought our own jet boil. I think I would bring sleep pads and plan on sleeping on the floor next time. The twin "bed" was uncomfortably dirty and the cot was pieced together. Overall, a fun experience and I would do it again.

@CynthiaP784303 · Camped on Aug 1, 2023 at Campsite #1

Building is in need of repairs, especially around the windows. Large gaps let in a huge amount of flies and bees. The mattress on the bed was pretty stained and not something we wanted to touch. We took it off and put on of the air mattresses we brought on. The views though are beautiful and the bathroom was clean and well stocked.

@NaSheaWC00C2FF · Camped on Jul 12, 2023 at Campsite #1

No complaints about the facility and the provided outhouse. Everything was clean and the amenities are pretty accurate according to the listing and recent reviews. However, if you would like to rent out a fish bowl and have everyone looking in the windows at you, then this is the place for you. We tried everyday to keep people off the top deck and hikers still came up unannounced and without permission. We even had some ATVers that decided to have a picnic right below the tower and some teenagers that came up one evening on their four wheelers to smoke weed. There is zero privacy during daylight hours. Probably the two WEEKDAYS we were there we saw at least 30 people up there between the hikers and the lookie loos. We tried putting the grate to the top deck down to keep people out and they still barged on up upon seeing our truck down below. Maybe we should have put our cooler on it in hindsight. I get that the tower is amazing as well as the views and people want to see it, but for someone who has had a reservation for 6 months, and booked over several weekdays to avoid crowds, the overall experience was quite disappointing. The forest service really needs to put up a sign at the base of the tower to be courteous of the occupants privacy. Its one thing to have hikers pass by on the CDT, its a whole other thing to have them up in your space at any given moment. Also a side note, it was extremely windy the whole time, but honestly, that was far less disappointing than the revolving door of visitors.

@MatthewH260473 · Camped on Jul 4, 2023 at Campsite #1

You're paying to be the tower host. You have zero privacy. You will be greeting people, and your belongings and space will be their space. People start rolling in as early as 7 am and don't let up until 9 pm, from surly locals, ossified retirees, CDT hikers, and everyone in between. No need for an alarm clock, if the footsteps of plucky hikers upon the planks don't wake you up, the sound of straight-piped UVTs driving up in droves will. It is a gorgeous area to explore, the tower has breathtaking views. But to rent this with the impression that you are in a cabin atop a tower is just not accurate.

@LindseyW321035 · Camped on Jun 11, 2023 at Campsite #1

We had a great time watching a thunderstorm roll in. The views are beautiful and you can explore in all directions. Only downside is way too many visitors. Do not have any expectation of privacy, even in the slightest. There are people coming up the lookout constantly. It is very popular! So, if you love company, this is the place for you!

@JoslinKDEC48C2 · Camped on Jun 1, 2023 at Campsite #1

In Sum: Quiet, Mostly Private, and a Great Time! Despite 3 days of near constant rain, cloud cover so dense you couldn't see 2 feet in front of you, and the occasional wind gust, we had a great time and stayed warm in the cabin! Ample firewood was available though the splitting maul in the cabin was pretty well dulled with rolls and chips in some spots. (If you're driving up, consider bringing your own!) No wildlife but plenty of recent elk sign near the mines. I'm certain they just held out on us due to the weather. The road up near the top when you get out of the trees was decently steep and rough. I wouldn't take a sedan up there, but I don't think you need a lifted pick up to make the drive either. We did some exploring in the area and especially enjoyed the two antique stores available for browsing. One, Rusty Relics, and the other a hidden gem found by following the posted signs on the main road back in a more residential area. We checked out Aunt Molly's WMA and Brown's Lake as well and will be back to visit both again! Things to Note: • 2 battery operated lanterns were available, 4 D batteries are needed for each. There were two smaller lanterns also available which required AA batteries. • One of the available descriptions of the cabin listed fire rings/pits and a picnic table. These things are not available. The only things currently outside the cabin are the firewood stack and the "beacon". • Leaving the cabin clean and organized leaves the experience enjoyable for those who come after you - no one wants to check in to a chaotic cabin. :)

@KyleS7386692 · Camped on Apr 28, 2023 at Campsite #1

I went up to get my last little taste of winter. The snow conditions were poor for cross country skiing, slushy on top and quickly deteriorating. I took the Marsh Cr Rd to the trailhead turnoff, and then skinned up the CDT the rest of the way. I wouldn't recommend that last part, the snow was very soft and difficult to travel across. However, the other way up, the "green" route, didn't have snow on the top half mile. Beautiful sunny days the whole time I was there. I forgot sunscreen. Sun on snow burned me pretty good.

@MadelineK50470 · Camped on Mar 18, 2023 at Campsite #1

The lookout tower was great! We didn’t experience much of the wind that the other reviewers noted. There is one bed and one working cot; there is a third cot in the tower, however, it is damaged/unusable. The trek in/out felt like the longest 4 miles of my life, we took the road in (via ski) and then the CDT out. I appreciated the novelty of being on the CDT, but it was definitely the hillier option. My friends who had on xcountry skis had a rougher go of it than me, on backcountry/touring skis. I appreciated the wider ski as we had to break trail the entire way. So, recommend that or snow shoes for others heading up there. Saw some cat tracks/scat, but no wildlife otherwise. Views were gorgeous, stars were incredible, highly recommend staying here.

@JacquelineL261 · Camped on Jan 20, 2023 at Campsite #1

Overall the lookout is really great. However, you'll either get lucky with the wind or you won't. It took us about 3 1/2 hours to ski up with a sled with the last mile taking the longest due to the intense wind. The cabin shook all night and we couldn't get the place warm so our liquids froze. If it wasn't for the wind, we would have been super stoked. Now I hear you all saying oh why didn't they check the weather, well we did and it said around 15 mph when it was more like 50. these strong winds also blew so much snow in front of the toilets it would have taken an hour or so to dig it out. Be prepared if you go in winter and it is better to head up early so that if the weather sucks you can ski back down in 1-2 hours.

@BrandiB8514694 · Camped on Dec 14, 2022 at Campsite #1

Bring batteries for the lanterns. Never go to the potty without a dry roll of TP with you. Took us about 5 hours to get up by snow shoe during an active snow and a winter weather advisory. The ride was brutally windy and the toughest part but the structure is sturdy. Pack light as the cabin has more than you’ll expect! Pet friendly and we were all SO thankful for the on-site wood. An unforgettable adventure.

@BradleyD194987 · Camped on Sep 1, 2022 at Campsite #1

The drive up is pretty tame, right up to the last 1.5 miles, which I agree with other reviewers: it is moderately rough. Although "rough" is somewhat vague. There are sharp, unsettled rocks along the entire stretch. Take your time, it's do-able. This lookout is kind of unique in that it's situated on top of a mostly bald mountain. Lots of field/meadow. That being said the vista is as stunning as any other lookout. There's all the standard amenities, mostly. There's one bed (hard as a rock) and several cots. a Nice table with benches. What is obviously lacking are hooks in the ceiling - just not a lot of options for hanging lanterns. This is also the first lookout I was tasked with removing the window boards myself. It seems ridiculous to just not remove them and store them on the 1st flight deck until the start of winter. There are some electric lanterns, but the batteries are dead, so bring C and D cells if you want. Some cooking utensils and pans/pots are available, but unless you bring your own portable propane bottles for the stove you'll need another source of cooking heat. There was also plenty of stacked firewood at the base of the tower. I was disappointed to see that the Osborne fire finder is not entirely intact. It has been crudely modified which pretty much renders it useless. Anyway, the lookout is in great shape and is pretty well-taken care of based on others I've seen. I was not disappointed given the ample space inside. Overall, it made for a very decent stay. If you bring dogs keep in mind they may not like the steep open stairs (second flight).

@JeanAnnS871837 · Camped on Aug 10, 2022 at Campsite #1

It was a great family getaway! The views are amazing. We all loved it!

@ShelleyB655968 · Camped on Jun 28, 2022 at Campsite #1

It was nice and clean, excellent view and the sunsets and sunrises were amazing!

@crystalh224632 · Camped on Jun 15, 2022 at Campsite #1

Fantastic view, great weather! Abundant cushion plants and wildflowers! Some snow, and a colony of lady bugs! After days of rain, we were able to drive right to the lookout, the road was not muddy nor washed out. Because of the easy drive, we had a lot of visitors, 6 groups (~25 people) in two weekdays. We invited most folks up to take in the view from the upper deck of the tower, but eventually closed the door (with the lock and hasp) and went for a hike to avoid the crowd. The door does not latch at all. The door is currently held closed with a large rock when inside the LO, or locked from the outside with the lock and hasp provided. No pot is provided to heat water or soup, highly recommend you bring your own to heat water for coffee/tea, etc. The previous occupants were untidy, and dirty/moldy dishes found in the cupboard. Please remember to clean before your departure and leave the LO better than you found it. We want to keep these wonderful places accessible to the public!

@TiaS7788542 · Camped on Jun 10, 2022 at Campsite #1

WINDY!!! After reading the log book, I realized it's windy at this lookout 360 days out of the year. The views made up for the wind! We got to watch a storm move in across the mountain, and it was absolutely amazing! The door didn't lock, and there was a steady flow of visitors. Not the lookout for you if you're looking for privacy and seclusion.

@PhilS8456940 · Camped on Jun 1, 2022 at Campsite #1

We really lucked out and were able to drive right to the tower. It was well stocked with firewood and clean! The views were incredible and we had NO wind! Couldn't believe it! We only saw one truck which turned around and left when they saw us. What an amazing experience! Thank you to all the individuals who have cared for this lovely space!

@EvanP4915996 · Camped on May 16, 2022 at Campsite #1

Super windy and indescribably beautiful! Heading up in May required a ~4 mile hike from Stemple Pass, but it was worth it - total seclusion, only saw one friendly dirt biker while we were there for two nights. Highly recommended.

@JulieH629 · Camped on Jan 2, 2022 at Campsite #1

Arrived to calm weather but then the winds kicked up. The bad: Lanturn had both mantles broken and pots and pans were pretty dirty. Limited silverware. There was also a 2 gallon jug of frozen pee out on the walkway. Please, bring your own pee pot and empty it in the latrine. Don't leave it out to freeze or others will need to take care of in once it thaws. There were no left over propane at the lookout (which often is available) so it was a good thing we brought plenty. Otherwise the wood was pleantiful and the place was clean. Always a winter adventure at the lookout!

@DennisJ205 · Camped on Jul 27, 2021 at Campsite #1

We had a wonderful time at the lookout. It is well kept and provided a great getaway. A few visitors but all were respectful and didn't try to intrude. Be mindful of the yellow jackets that appear to be nesting in the wood pile and fly up and into the lookout. Could use a new fly swatter. Overall would stay again!

@williams160 · Camped on Jun 29, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great cabin. Amazing views. The periodic hiker was charming. The endless string of rednecks and their families on four-wheelers equipped with American flags who set up impromptu block parties at all hours and were insulted and incredulous when they were told my family had rented the cabin for the weekend and they were unable to access the cabin--not so much fun. Several even told me in front of their children that if they really wanted to that they could come up at any time to see the cabin and my family didn't have any ability to stop them. Needless to say, we left a few days early. I don't think there is much the forest service can do about it other than remove the notion of privacy and the cabin being a quiet area from the list of cabin amenities. In truth, worst forest service cabin I've ever stayed at, but unfortunately nothing to do with the cabin. I would never stay there again and would ultimately not recommend.

@RileyW703 · Camped on Jun 4, 2021 at Campsite #1

Stunning views!

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