Thompson Peak Lookout Tower, Superior, MT

Thompson Peak Lookout Tower is located in the Superior Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest (1 hr 21 min west of Missoula, MT) with an elevation of 4,578 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to the beginning of October. There is a fee of $75.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (27)

4.9 out of 5

5 star		85%
4 star		15%
3 star		0%
2 star		0%
1 star		0%

@AnnaB8559934 · Camped on Jul 10, 2024 at Campsite #1

Went up in 100 degrees and was thankful for the fan. Place was very clean. It was hot, hot, hot at night and lots of flies - I imagine they die down as the summer goes on. Very minimal cooking supplies up there, and the electricity made storing & cooking food easy.

@JamesR5751753 · Camped on May 28, 2024 at Campsite #1

Excellent place to stay. Just beware that there are 3 towers at the lookout. When the wind increases, you'll hear a interesting flute or piccolo type of sound as the wind blows through the towers

@KathrynS492126 · Camped on Jun 7, 2023 at Campsite #1

Easily accessed with our old GMC Suburban. Almost all the comforts of home, including a full sized refrigerator. It was our first visit, and I was grateful for the obvious efforts of the previous guests in leaving the lookout incredibly clean and tidy. The 360 degrees of windows, all of which could be opened, were amazing. We drove over one valley and hiked to Pearl Lake and made it home just in time for the rain storm that left us literally amidst the clouds. Slept soundly in the fresh air. Didn't see any wildlife but maybe next time!

@DanielleM84170 · Camped on May 24, 2023 at Campsite #1

Love spending time up here.

@BreanneP662259 · Camped on Aug 21, 2022 at Campsite #1

The absolute best. I wish I could wake up there every morning !

@ConorE2173856 · Camped on Aug 10, 2022 at Campsite #1

Amazing stay on stop of Thompson Peak. Would def recommender it for families! Stayed with my wife and two you young kids and had a wonderful time!

@HeatherC820487 · Camped on Aug 3, 2022 at Campsite #1

Enjoyed our stay immensely!!! Easy access and enjoyed all the great amenities.

@DwayneM6159284 · Camped on Jul 8, 2022 at Campsite #1

Beautiful scenery, nice drive and well equipped.

@stephanie38834 · Camped on Jul 6, 2022 at Campsite #1

Great little place! has coffee maker so bring coffee!

@FrancesC333452 · Camped on Jun 7, 2022 at Campsite #1

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our 2-night stay here. All was very clean. We washed the windows even cleaner for the next occupants. A real treat to have power for cooking and refrigeration. Road up was in good shape. Enjoyed finding plenty of blossoming wildflowers, great views, lovely sunset and huge moon. Different to have interior carpeted stairways and the off limits humming electronic rooms. Ventilation was great with opening windows in the cabin and stairway, plus we propped the heavy metal entrance door open to draw air upward. No mice. Chipmunks outside are always entertaining along with the birds busying about. Nice to hear the train in the valley below. This is not the place if you totally want to be devoid of human-made noises; we loved the proximity for our first lookout stay of the season. Plenty of supplies even dish soap, which I forgot to bring. The two folding chairs are most comfortable. Only thing I found myself looking for was a couple of places to hang hats & towels. As a former, 40+ years ago, lookout I appreciated the functioning alidade, which was missing one cross hair. We sort of fixed that by installing dental floss! Thanks for the great facility and keeping it available for people to enjoy its history.

@StephanieK6294 · Camped on May 20, 2022 at Campsite #1

One of our favorite lookout towers! We’ve been here two years in a row and we can’t wait to go back. The tower is very clean and has electricity and running water, so it’s not as primitive as some lookout towers, but this makes it an easier stay. The view is unbeatable!!

@BrinaM873 · Camped on Sep 28, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great spot to touch down for a night and experience time in the lookout! The noise from the comms center/radios on the floor below was extremely loud late at night (11:30p) and thankfully quieted down by midnight.

@BrinaM8212752 · Camped on Sep 28, 2021 at Campsite #1

@RobertP6375002 · Camped on Sep 16, 2021 at Campsite #1

The good: Wonderful place! Nice to have a lookout with electricity and cell service. Cool slanted window design makes it feel like you are in an air traffic control tower! No problem driving a car but please SLOW DOWN! Numerous reports in journals of people getting flats due to the sharp shale rock cutting into tires due to going too fast. There is a locked gate further down the road for added privacy. Great views! You can see part of the town of Superior. Screened windows and screened sliding glass door. The small fridge in the photos has been replaced with a full size fridge on the 2nd floor. Cell phone towers are right next to the building so you you get full service with any carrier. People take very good care of this place with a good amount of cleaning supplies. Bring a rope and basket or bucket to haul your stuff up so you don't have to make so many trips up and down the stairs. Maybe you can leave the rope after as a donation. Wish we had thought of this before our stay. Fire pit by parking area with picnic bench. Has a sink that drains and a two burner stove for cooking. One twin bed is there along with two cots donated by "Friends Of Savenac". Thank you! Rare that the catwalk goes all the way around since you use inside stairs. A nice thing to have. We would stay there again for sure! The bad: Pit toilet a let down and the 2nd worst smelling one we have ever been in. Old style with no plastic seat. Just your butt on boards. Would like to see the larger concrete type pit toilet like at most lookouts and cabins. On the 2nd floor there is some communication equipment in a locked room. While it was mostly quiet at night at any time talking and noise can be heard at all hours. Not sure why these speakers have to be on. Use the fan in the lookout for noise to cover this annoyance. Follow directions supplied by the Forest Service. Both our Garmin GPS and Google Maps sent us a little west and wanted to take us up a road that did not exist.

@RobertP952 · Camped on Sep 16, 2021 at Campsite #1

@JillianJ395 · Camped on Aug 14, 2021 at Campsite #1

One of the more modern lookout's I've been to. Can't wait to come back.

@RichardS438 · Camped on Aug 12, 2021 at Campsite #1

Only 6 miles of USFS road to the tower!! A bit electronically noisy but one becomes used to it. Acts like a time share condo- clean, electricity, refrigerator and stove!!!! A-1. Great windows for viewing.

@DavidC356 · Camped on Jul 11, 2021 at Campsite #1

Very well signed access, and unique in having electricity. Very nice windows and balcony. The not exactly dulcet hum of the electronics on sight takes a bit of getting used to. The kids keep requesting a return visit to the lookout with carpet.

@DavidC2858387 · Camped on Jul 11, 2021 at Campsite #1

@KaraE301 · Camped on Jul 7, 2021 at Campsite #1

It was beautiful at the lookout and the place was clean. We had a nice afternoon and dinner but unfortunately we had to be evacuated due to a wildfire caused by lightning. The National parks staff were incredible in getting us the necessary information and even locating a nearby lookout (Up Up Up Lookout) that was available for us.

@KurtH405 · Camped on Jun 22, 2021 at Campsite #1

We had a great time took my two grandaughters 7 and 9, alot of fun the accomadations are very nice. Be prepared to climb alot of stairs.

@LouiseJ771 · Camped on Jun 8, 2021 at Campsite #1

Second time I've been to Thompson Peak. Amazing everytime. Look forward to many more trips here.

@TimD469 · Camped on Aug 12, 2020 at Campsite #1

Had a great time, hope to do it again.

@SherryH785 · Camped on May 21, 2020 at Campsite #1

This lookout way exceeded my expectations! It was clean and very well kept. The road to the lookout was in great shape. Cell service is great. It was so thrilling to stay there! Absolutely worth it!!!

@jamesJ766 · Camped on Sep 30, 2019 at Campsite #1

Incredible views with easy access. Made it up with a 2wd Prius v.

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