Castle Butte Lookout
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests — riverside, hiking
Location: KOOSKIA, ID, ID
Price: From $45 per night
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 (5 reviews)
Season: May through October
Castle Butte Lookout is a unique cabin perched on a rocky point, 6,659 feet above sea level. It offers breathtaking, 360-degree views of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, the Seven Devils Mountains, the Great Burn area and the deep canyons of the North Fork Clearwater River’s upper drainages. A cabin was first constructed on this site in 1916 and was replaced in 1928 with a log cabin featuring a cupola.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/castle-butte-lookout to be notified when sites open up.
Castle Butte Lookout is a historic 1950 cabin at 6,659 feet offering 360-degree views of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Seven Devils Mountains, and Great Burn area. The site provides unique access to a historic cultural landmark with hiking opportunities.
Wildlife alert: Gray wolves, wapiti (elk), Pacific martens, wild turkeys, and common mergansers have been documented within 8km of the location.
Insider tips for Castle Butte Lookout: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site. High-clearance vehicle recommended; access roads are gravel or dirt from US Highway 12. Historic lookout cabin built in 1950 with documented history back to 1916.
Skip Castle Butte Lookout if: You need hookups; no hookups available at this site.. You're visiting outside May-October; seasonal operations only.. You have low-clearance vehicle; all access roads from Highway 12 are gravel or dirt..
Best time to visit Castle Butte Lookout: May-October — Official operating season per verified data..
Nearby campgrounds: Liz Creek Cabin (Orofino, ID), Wilderness Gateway (Kooskia, ID), Scurvy Mountain Lookout (Pierce, ID), Kelly Forks Cabin (Orofino, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Castle Butte Lookout
Cell signal at Castle Butte Lookout (KOOSKIA, ID): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 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.
Castle Butte Lookout is a unique cabin perched on a rocky point, 6,659 feet above sea level. It offers breathtaking, 360-degree views of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, the Seven Devils Mountains, the Great Burn area and the deep canyons of the North Fork Clearwater River’s upper drainages. A cabin was first constructed on this site in 1916 and was replaced in 1928 with a log cabin featuring a cupola.
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 only 1 site.
High-clearance vehicle recommended; access roads are gravel or dirt from US Highway 12.
Historic lookout cabin built in 1950 with documented history back to 1916.
Official operating season per verified data.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Missoula, MT: Take US Highway 12 West for about 65 miles. All roads from this point are gravel or dirt and a vehicle with high clearance is suggested. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 108 (Waw'aalamnime Rd), go about .5 miles, turn left onto Forest Service Road #566 (Doe Creek) which is a very narrow and winding road. Travel approximately 1 mile to an intersection with Forest Service Road #500 (Lolo Motorway), turn left onto the Lolo Motorway. Travel west approximately 18 miles. Turn lef
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 — Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests 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 Castle Butte Lookout cost per night?+
What season is Castle Butte Lookout open?+
Does Castle Butte Lookout have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Castle Butte Lookout?+
How do I make reservations at Castle Butte Lookout?+
What is the cell service like at Castle Butte Lookout?+
What season is Castle Butte Lookout open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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