🧯 Crater Lake Lookout
Flathead National Forest · Spotted Bear Ranger District
Opens in ~2 months
🏛️ Historic structure 1940
🏔️ 7,800 ft
Deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex. One of the most remote rentable structures in the lower 48. True wilderness experience.
Unknown access conditions today
Based on season, weather, wind, and snow. Scores update every 30 minutes.
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Access
🚗 Drive-to
High-clearance 4WD — long rough road
🛣️ Access road
South Fork Flathead River road, 65 miles from Hungry Horse — remote
📅 Season
July 15 – September 15
Road distance from town: ~65.0 mi unpaved
Booking
Contact Spotted Bear Ranger Station (406-758-5376) for reservations.
Booking window: 6 months rolling via recreation.gov
🎫 Reserve on recreation.gov →
PeakScout availability data may be delayed — always verify on recreation.gov before making plans.
Amenities & Gear
👥 Capacity:
Up to 4 people
🛏️ Beds:2 double beds
🔥 Heating:Wood stove
🍳 Cooking:Propane stove
💧 Water:Cistern (supplement with packed water)
🚽 Privy:
Yes
📞 Phone:
📟 Landline to ranger district
🏗️ Structure:D-6 ground cabin (1940)
⚠️ Bring your own water unless a reliable source is confirmed with the ranger district. Most MT lookouts have no water or unreliable cisterns.
🐻 Wildlife
High grizzly density — core grizzly habitat. Wolf pack territory. Elk, moose, and wolverine present. This is serious bear country.
ℹ️ Notes
Landline radio phone to Spotted Bear RS. 65-mile drive from Hungry Horse mostly on rough forest road — plan a full day just for access. Satellite communicator strongly recommended.
⛑️ Before you go
✅ Check road conditions with the ranger district 24–48h before departure ·
✅ Carry bear spray and know how to use it ·
✅ Pack all water (source at site may be unreliable) ·
✅ Leave a trip plan with someone not going ·
✅ Bring a satellite communicator — no cell service at this location ·
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