🧯 Spread Mountain Lookout
Bitterroot National Forest · Stevensville Ranger District
Opens next month
🏛️ Historic structure 1949
🏔️ 7,200 ft
Overlooks the Bitterroot Valley and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. One of Montana's most accessible fire lookouts.
Unknown access conditions today
Based on season, weather, wind, and snow. Scores update every 30 minutes.
Weather data temporarily unavailable
Access
🚗 Drive-to
High-clearance 4WD
🛣️ Access road
Forest Rd 1325, 22 miles from Stevensville
📅 Season
June 15 – October 15
Road distance from town: ~22.0 mi unpaved
Booking
Popular for fall foliage. Books out by February.
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:1 full bed + 2 cots
🔥 Heating:Propane heater + wood stove
🍳 Cooking:Propane stove
💧 Water:Cistern (may run dry Aug-Sep — bring 2 gallons/person)
🚽 Privy:
Yes
📞 Phone:
None — satellite recommended
🏗️ Structure:L-4 cab on 30-foot steel tower (1949)
⚠️ Bring your own water unless a reliable source is confirmed with the ranger district. Most MT lookouts have no water or unreliable cisterns.
🐻 Wildlife
Black bear and mountain lion active. Bears frequent the area in late summer berry season.
ℹ️ Notes
Wood supply varies — bring own kindling. Fall nights drop to freezing even in early September.
⛑️ 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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