Recreation


A white gable-ended fire lookout sitting on a rocky peak with scenic view in background.

Discover an Area by Activity

Select an activity to find an area to visit.

With four wildernesses, many lakes and rivers, and unique visitor centers that are historic and informative, whatever your outdoor passion, the Lolo National Forest has something for everyone!

  • Looking for a cozy basecamp?

    Rent a cabin or a lookout and start to unwind. We have a variety of rental cabins from lookouts on mountain tops to historic log cabins located in beautiful canyons where blue ribbon streams flow.

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    Icon with the Forest Service shield and silhouettes of mules, mountains, and a raptor Our mobile app gives you access while online to the Lolo National Forest recreational opportunities, public notices, news, alerts, and more. Download it now for iOS or Android!

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Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name Status Area Conditions
Bend Guard Station Open Open Open year-long.
Reservations Required through Recreation.gov
Big Hole Lookout Open Open Closes October 13, 2024.

Reservations Required through Recreation.gov
Big Larch Campground Open Open Open year-round.

2 Group Sites: Reservations Required through Recreation.gov Memorial Day-Labor Day

Fees charged Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends. Individual sites are first come, first served.
Big Nelson Campground Open Open Open year-round.

No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Bighorn Campground Open Open No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Open year-round, weather dependent. No fees.
Bitterroot Flat Campground Open Open Open year-round.

Fees charged until September 30, 2024.

 Gates will remain open with no services after September 30.
Cabin City Campground Closed Closed Campground closed September 17, 2024 for the season.

Sites 1-6 in Loops A and B are available for reservation on Recreation.gov. All other sites are first-come/first-served. Scan & Pay option available, but you must have a recreation.gov account.
Cascade Campground Closed Closed Campground closed September 30, 2024.

The campground is first come, first served. Water will not be available until mid June. Call District to confirm opening date 406-826-3821.
Clark Memorial Campground Open Open Campground closes November 15, 2024.

The campground is first come, first served. Water will not be available until mid June. Call District to confirm opening date 406-826-3821.
Clearwater Crossing Campground Open Open Open yearlong unless road is closed by snow.
Copper King Campground Open Open Campground closes November 15, 2024.

The campground is first come, first served. Water will not be available until mid June. Call District to confirm opening date 406-826-3821.
Cougar Peak Lookout Open Open Closes October 13, 2024 for the season.
Reservations required through Recreation.gov
Dalles Campground Open Open No amenities after September 30, 2024. Campground will remain open and no fees charged after September 30. No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Deer Creek Campground Open Open Open year-long, snow dependent.

No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Double Arrow Lookout Closed Closed

Reservations Required through Recreation.gov
Fishtrap Lake Campground Open Open Open year long, snow dependent. Water closes on September 24, 2024 and restrooms close on October 31, 2024.

No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Fort Fizzle Historic Site Picnic Area Closed Closed
Gold Rush Campground Open Open Open year long, snow dependent. Restroom closes November 1, 2024.

No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Grizzly Campground Closed Closed Campground closed September 30, 2024.
No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Harry's Flat Campground Closed Closed

No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Hidden Lake Campground Open Open Open year-round with snow level determining access.

No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Hogback Homestead Open Open Open April 1-November 30 annually.

Reservations required through Recreation.gov.
Kreis Pond Campground Open Open Open April 1 to December 1

The campground is first come, first served.
Lake Alva Campground Open Open Loop A: Open year-round.

Fees charged Memorial Day - Labor Day

Off-season: open free of charge with limited services. The campground is first come, first served.
Lake Inez Campground Open Open Open year-round. Fees charged Memorial Day - Labor Day

Group Site Reservations Required through Recreation.gov Memorial Day-Labor Day. Individual sites are first come, first served.

Off-season: open free of charge with limited services.
Lakeside Campground Closed Closed Reservations Required for sites 2-6 through Recreation.gov Memorial Day - Labor Day
Lee Creek Campground Closed Closed Campground closed for the season on September 16, 2024.
Loge Day-Use Area Open Open Open May to October. Closing October 18, 2024.
Lolo Creek Campground and Picnic Area Closed Closed Campground closed on September 23, 2024 for the season.

First come, first served. No reservations taken.
Lolo Pass Visitor Center None None Summer Season: June-August

Fall/Winter Season: September-May

Visit Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests for more info.
Montana Snowbowl None None Montana Snowbowl Website
Monture Creek Campground Open Open No fees. First Come First Served.

No water available.

Open year-round.
Monture Guard Station Cabin Closed Closed Open December 1-April 14 annually

Reservations Required through Recreation.gov
Morgan-Case Homestead Open Open Open year-round. Reservations required through Recreation.gov.
Muchwater Dispersed Campground and Recreation Area Open Open Open year long, snow dependent. Restrooms close October 30, 2024.

No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Ninemile Remount Depot and Historic Ranger Station None None Call Ninemile Ranger District 406-626-5201 for current status of offerings.
Norton Campground Closed Closed

No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Pattee Canyon Group Picnic Area Open Open
Pattee Canyon Recreation Area None None
Peninsula Dispersed Campground and Recreation Area Open Open Open year long, snow dependent. Restroom closes November 4, 2024.

No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
Quartz Flat Campground Closed Closed Campground closed for the season on September 18, 2024.

Certain sites in Loop A, C, and G are available for reservation on Recreation.gov. All other sites are first-come/first-served.

Scan & Pay option available, but you must have a recreation.gov account
Rainy Lake Campground Open Open Campground is open year-round, with snow levels determining access.

No reservations are taken. The campground is first come, first served.
River Point Campground Closed Closed Reservations Required through Recreation.gov

Closed Day after Labor Day to Friday before Memorial Day
River Point Picnic Area Open Open Open year round.

Call Seeley Lake Ranger District 406-677-2233 for current conditions during the off-season.
Savenac Bunkhouse Open Open Reservations Required through Recreation.gov
Savenac Cookhouse Open Open Reservations Required through Recreation.gov
Savenac East Cottage Open Open Will close for the season on November 4, 2024.

Reservations are required through Recreation.gov
Savenac Historic Tree Nursery Visitor Center Closed Closed Open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, hours and days vary.

Call Superior Ranger District for current operating hours at 406-822-4233.
Savenac West Cottage Open Open Reservations Required through Recreation.gov
Seeley Lake Campground Closed Closed Reservations required via www.recreation.gov
Siria Campground Open Open First come, first served. No reservations taken.

Open year-round weather dependent. No fees.
Sloway Campground Closed Closed Closed for the season on September 16, 2024.

Sites 1-10 and 21 -25 and the horse camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. The remaining sites are first come first served. Scan & Pay option available, but you must have a recreation.gov account.
Thompson Peak Lookout Closed Closed Closing for the season on October 6, 2024.


Reservations Required through Recreation.gov
Trout Creek Campground Open Open The campground is first come, first served.

Scan & Pay option available, but you must have a recreation.gov account.
Up Up 40-Foot Lookout Tower Closed Closed Closing October 6, 2024 for the season.


Reservations Required through Recreation.gov
West Fork Butte Lookout Open Open Reservations required through Recreation.gov
West Fork Fishtrap Creek Campground Open Open Water closed on September 24, 2024 and campground will close October 31, 2024.

The campground is first come, first served. Water will not be available until mid-June. Call District to confirm opening date 406-826-3821.

Spotlights

Lolo Pass Visitor Center

The Lolo Pass Visitor center covered in snow

Lolo Pass is managed by the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. Information on skiing and winter recreation permits at Lolo Pass can be found on their website. Follow Discover Your Northwest - Lolo Pass Visitor Center on Facebook for the most up-to-date condition information. Please note: Lolo Pass Visitor Center operates in the Pacific Time Zone.

Recreation Areas

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • Click here to read current alerts and closures
  • Click here to learn about staying safe and following the rules of bear country.
  • Click here to find a map to take on your adventures.
  • Click here to find out more about obtaining permits or passes for certain activities on the forest.
  • Click here to find avalanche infornation