🧯 Mountain Top Lookout
Custer Gallatin National Forest · Beartooth Ranger District
Opens in ~2 months
🏛️ Historic structure 1961
🏔️ 10,200 ft
One of the highest rentable structures in Montana at 10,200 ft. Beartooth Plateau views. Snow possible every month.
Unknown access conditions today
Based on season, weather, wind, and snow. Scores update every 30 minutes.
Weather data temporarily unavailable
Access
🥾 Hike-in required
3.00 mi · 1,800 ft gain
🛣️ Access road
Stillwater River road, then 3-mile hike
📅 Season
July 15 – September 1
Road distance from town: ~0.0 mi unpaved
Booking
Beartooth — extremely short season. Highest rentable lookout in MT.
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 2 people
🛏️ Beds:2 cots
🔥 Heating:Wood stove
🍳 Cooking:Propane (bring own)
💧 Water:Snow melt in July — pack water Aug-Sep
🚽 Privy:
No — pack out
📞 Phone:
None — satellite recommended
🏗️ Structure:L-4 cab on 41-foot steel tower (1961)
⚠️ Bring your own water unless a reliable source is confirmed with the ranger district. Most MT lookouts have no water or unreliable cisterns.
🐻 Wildlife
Grizzly bear habitat — active grizzly. Wolf packs occasionally cross Beartooth Plateau. Bighorn sheep common.
ℹ️ Notes
Above treeline — extreme exposure to weather, lightning, and wind. Cold temperatures year-round. Winter gear required even in July.
⛑️ 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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