Big Hole Lookout (Mt)
Lolo National Forest — hiking
Location: Plains, MT, MT
Price: From $45 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (15 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Big Hole Lookout offers guests an opportunity to experience an old-time Forest Service lookout. The tower commands an impressive 360 degree view of valleys and mountain ranges for miles and miles. The structure is small and is not elevated like many other lookouts, and is available for rent from June to early October each year.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-hole-lookout-mt to be notified when sites open up.
Big Hole Lookout offers a unique opportunity to stay in a historic Forest Service lookout tower with commanding 360-degree views of valleys and mountain ranges. The structure provides an old-time lookout experience with activities including hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and stargazing.
Wildlife alert: Bighorn Sheep, Wood Duck, Black-billed Magpie, and Western Terrestrial Garter Snake documented in the area
Insider tips for Big Hole Lookout (Mt): Book early as this is a federal campground with limited availability Access from Plains via Highway 200 northwest for 7.5 miles to Weeksville Creek Road (FR 887) Outstanding stargazing opportunities from the elevated lookout tower vantage point
Skip Big Hole Lookout (Mt) if: Need hookups - no hookups available. Visiting outside May through October seasonal window. Prefer multiple site options - only 1 site available.
Best time to visit Big Hole Lookout (Mt): June to early October — Official availability window for the lookout rental.
Nearby campgrounds: Cougar Peak Lookout (PLAINS, MT), Cabin City Campground (Mt) (Superior, MT), Bend Guard Station (PLAINS, MT), Savenac East Cottage (Mt) (Haugan, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Big Hole Lookout (Mt)
Cell signal at Big Hole Lookout (Mt) (Plains, MT): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The Big Hole Lookout offers guests an opportunity to experience an old-time Forest Service lookout. The tower commands an impressive 360 degree view of valleys and mountain ranges for miles and miles. The structure is small and is not elevated like many other lookouts, and is available for rent from June to early October each year.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with limited availability
Access from Plains via Highway 200 northwest for 7.5 miles to Weeksville Creek Road (FR 887)
Outstanding stargazing opportunities from the elevated lookout tower vantage point
Official availability window for the lookout rental
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Plains, Montana travel northwest on Highway 200 for approximately 7.5 miles to Weeksville Creek Road (FR 887). From Thompson Falls, Montana travel southeast on Highway 200 for approximately 17.5 miles to Weeksville Creek Road (FR 887). Turn north onto Weeksville Creek Road (FR 887) and travel approximately 3 miles to Big Hole Road (FR 5587) and turn left. Travel the Big Hole Road for approximately 17.5 miles to the Big Hole Trailhead.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Lolo National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Lolo National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Big Hole Lookout (Mt) cost per night?+
What season is Big Hole Lookout (Mt) open?+
Does Big Hole Lookout (Mt) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Big Hole Lookout (Mt)?+
How do I make reservations at Big Hole Lookout (Mt)?+
What is the cell service like at Big Hole Lookout (Mt)?+
What season is Big Hole Lookout (Mt) open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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