Diamond Butte Lookout
Custer Gallatin National Forest — hiking
Location: ASHLAND, MT, MT
Price: From $45 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (32 reviews)
Season: May through October
Diamond Butte Lookout is perched atop a 30-foot masonry tower on Diamond Butte at an altitude of 4,245 feet in the Custer National Forest approximately 40 miles from Ashland, Montana. The lookout was moved from its original location of Yeager Butte in 1958 and was an active fire lookout until 2001. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
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/diamond-butte-lookout to be notified when sites open up.
Diamond Butte Lookout offers panoramic mountain views from a historic 30-foot fire tower at 4,245 feet elevation in the Custer National Forest. Google reviewers consistently rate it 5/5 stars, praising it as one of the nicest lookout stays with excellent sunset and sunrise views.
Wildlife alert: Vesper Sparrow, Canada Goose, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Bullsnake documented in the area.
Insider tips for Diamond Butte Lookout: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 1 site and high demand The lookout includes sleeping accommodations (twin bed, futon, cot) suitable for multiple people Propane appliances and a functional heater are available for comfort
Skip Diamond Butte Lookout if: You need electric hookups — amenities listed include electric but verified data states no hookups at sites. You prefer camping outside peak season — operations run May through October only. You need multiple camping sites — only 1 site available.
Best time to visit Diamond Butte Lookout: September-October — Late September visits documented in reviews with comfortable conditions for sunset and sunrise viewing..
Nearby campgrounds: Whitetail Cabin (ASHLAND, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Diamond Butte Lookout
Cell signal at Diamond Butte Lookout (ASHLAND, MT): 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.
Diamond Butte Lookout is perched atop a 30-foot masonry tower on Diamond Butte at an altitude of 4,245 feet in the Custer National Forest approximately 40 miles from Ashland, Montana. The lookout was moved from its original location of Yeager Butte in 1958 and was an active fire lookout until 2001. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
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
this is a federal campground with only 1 site and high demand
The lookout includes sleeping accommodations (twin bed, futon, cot) suitable for multiple people
Propane appliances and a functional heater are available for comfort
Late September visits documented in reviews with comfortable conditions for sunset and sunrise viewing.
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 Ashland, Montana: travel east on State Highway 212 for approximately 3 miles. Turn south onto Otter Creek Road hwy 484 and travel 20 miles. Just past the Fort Howes Work Center, turn east onto Taylor Creek Road and travel 12 miles to Sonnette Divide Road. Turn north onto the Sonnette Divide Road for 2 miles then turn east on the Diamond Butte Lookout Road. Travel 1 mile to the lookout.
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 — Custer Gallatin National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Custer Gallatin 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 Diamond Butte Lookout cost per night?+
What season is Diamond Butte Lookout open?+
Does Diamond Butte Lookout have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Diamond Butte Lookout?+
How do I make reservations at Diamond Butte Lookout?+
What is the cell service like at Diamond Butte Lookout?+
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●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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