Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout
Custer Gallatin National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: BOZEMAN, MT, MT
Price: From $65 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (45 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout sits on the apex of Garnet Mountain, at an elevation of 8,245 feet. The lookout provides a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Highlights include the Spanish Peaks to the west, the Gallatin Range to the south, the Hyalite Ridge to the east and the Gallatin River Valley to the north.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Electric Hookups, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/garnet-mountain-fire-lookout to be notified when sites open up.
Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout sits at 8,245 feet with panoramic views of the Spanish Peaks, Gallatin Range, Hyalite Ridge, and Gallatin River Valley. Accessible via a 4.5-mile trail that gains 2,800 feet and suitable for hiking, horseback, and mountain biking.
Wildlife alert: Bighorn Sheep, Snowshoe Hare, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Western Tanager, Barrow's Goldeneye, Mallard, Townsend's Solitaire, and Northern Rubber Boa documented in the area.
Insider tips for Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 1 site Trail accessible by dirt bike, ATV, and mountain bike in addition to hiking and horseback Commanding views of Gallatin and Spanish Peaks ranges
Skip Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout if: You need electrical hookups — no hookups available at this site. You require full-facility amenities — operations are seasonal. You prefer multiple site options — only 1 tent site available.
Best time to visit Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout: Summer — Garnet Mountain Lookout Trail accessible by hiking, horseback, or mountain bike in summer months.
Nearby campgrounds: Spire Rock Campground (Gallatin Gateway, MT), Greek Creek Campground (Gallatin Gateway, MT), Swan Creek Campground (Gallatin Gateway, MT), Moose Creek Flat Campground (Gallatin Gateway, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout
Cell signal at Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout (BOZEMAN, 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.
Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout sits on the apex of Garnet Mountain, at an elevation of 8,245 feet. The lookout provides a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Highlights include the Spanish Peaks to the west, the Gallatin Range to the south, the Hyalite Ridge to the east and the Gallatin River Valley to the north.
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
Trail accessible by dirt bike, ATV, and mountain bike in addition to hiking and horseback
Commanding views of Gallatin and Spanish Peaks ranges
Garnet Mountain Lookout Trail accessible by hiking, horseback, or mountain bike in summer months
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
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 Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout cost per night?+
What season is Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout open?+
Does Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout?+
How do I make reservations at Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout?+
What is the cell service like at Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout?+
What season is Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.