Lookout Butte Lookout

Area Status: Open

This is a 60-foot tower with a panoramic view. This fire tower offers the perfect setting for enjoying the country's tranquility and natural beauty. You can drive to this tower (a high clearance vehicle is strongly recommended).

View our Lookout Butte brochure for more information.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Open seasonally by reservation only. Reservations are accepted on www.Recreation.gov and typically fill several months in advance.
Reservations:	CONSTRUCTION NOTICE: Lookout Butte Lookout will have a new toilet installed during the 2024 Summer! During this time the site will be closed so that crews can safely operate large equipment in the limited area surrounding the lookout. If there is time left in the regular operating season once installation is complete, the site will be opened again to receive additional reservations. We apologize for limiting site availability for the coming season, but are excited to offer improvements at this location, thanks to funding from the Great America Outdoors Act. When Lookout Butte is open for reservations, it can be reserved here: To reserve this cabin, visit Lookout Butte on Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777
Fees:	The rental fee is $40.00 per night with a maximum stay of seven nights (Checkout time is 12:00 noon).
Open Season:	July 12 - 31, 2022
Best Season:	Summer
Restrictions:	Garbage services not available. Pack It In, Pack It Out.
Water:	Water is not provided
Information Center:	Moose Creek Ranger District, 208-926-4258

General Information

Directions: Travel to Lowell, Idaho, Idaho located approximately midway between Lewiston, Idaho and Missoula, Montana on Highway 12, Milepost 97, Cross the Selway Bridge and drive 3 1/2 miles and cross the Swiftwater Bridge on your right. Follow the signs 13 miles for about one hour to the lookout. An alternate route has you traveling 6 1/2 miles upriver from the Selway Bridge cross de O'Hara Bridge on your right and follow the signs for about one hour to the lookout. The last quarter mile can be traveled in a "conventional" vehicle at low speed and with caution.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Cabin Rentals

Take a hike through the second growth forest, do some bird watching, ride your mountain bike or enjoy the panoramic view from atop the 60' tower. At night expect to see the landscape bathed in moonlight or stargaze without the pollution of nearby light. Maybe you will get lucky and witness a lightning storm.