Big Hole Lookout

The historic Big Hole Lookout was rehabilitated and added to the Lolo National Forest cabin rental program in 2021. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov. The hike up to Big Hole Lookout is a moderate three-mile hike one-way, the lookout can accommodate up to four people.

A brief history

Big Hole Lookout was built in 1930 for what was originally called the Cabinet National Forest. It is a ‘Grange Hall’-type lookout: a structure built atop a short talus foundation. This type of lookout predates the standard design seen in most other areas, and due to the difficulty in its construction, is quite rare. In fact, Big Hole Lookout is one of only two lookouts of its kind on the Lolo that remain intact! It saw its last use as a fire lookout in 1972, and although afterward abandoned, was determined eligible for placement on the National Register of Historic places (NRHP) in 1984. It has been rehabilitated through a series of Passport in Time volunteer projects which finished in 2017.