Lookout Butte Lookout
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests — riverside, hiking
Location: KOOSKIA, ID, ID
Price: From $40 per night
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 (12 reviews)
Season: May through October
Lookout Butte has a history that spans nearly 80 years and has been home to three lookout towers. The first, built in 1923, was 45 feet tall with just a platform on which to stand. A cabin was put on the tower a couple years later.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/lookout-butte-lookout to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 60-foot wooden lookout tower with panoramic views perched atop boulders, offering a unique camping experience with nearly 80 years of history. Google reviewers consistently praise the amazing views and beautiful setting (4.7/5 rating from 11 reviews).
Wildlife alert: Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, White-tailed Deer, and various woodpeckers present in the area.
Insider tips for Lookout Butte Lookout: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 1 tent site and high demand. Allow several hours longer than GPS estimates due to rough road conditions on the Lolo motorway (last 12 miles). High-clearance or 4WD vehicles strongly recommended — verified campers reported taking Jeeps with trailers.
Skip Lookout Butte Lookout if: You need hookups — no hookups available.. You prefer paved or well-maintained roads — access requires 12+ miles of exposed forest road.. You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal operations only..
Best time to visit Lookout Butte Lookout: July — Verified camper reports successful visits in late July with accessible road conditions..
Nearby campgrounds: Adams Ranger Station (Grangeville, ID), Jeanette (McCall, ID), Burgdorf (Mccall, ID), Chinook (Warren, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Lookout Butte Lookout
Cell signal at Lookout Butte Lookout (KOOSKIA, ID): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
Lookout Butte has a history that spans nearly 80 years and has been home to three lookout towers. The first, built in 1923, was 45 feet tall with just a platform on which to stand. A cabin was put on the tower a couple years later.
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 tent site and high demand.
Allow several hours longer than GPS estimates due to rough road conditions on the Lolo motorway (last 12 miles).
High-clearance or 4WD vehicles strongly recommended
verified campers reported taking Jeeps with trailers.
Verified camper reports successful visits in late July with accessible road conditions.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Travel to Lowell, Idaho, located approximately midway between Lewiston, Idaho and Missoula, Montana on Highway 12, milepost 97. Cross the Selway Bridge, drive 3.5 miles and cross the Swiftwater Bridge on your right. Follow the signs 13 miles for about 1 hour to the lookout. Alternative Route From Hwy 12, cross the middle fork of the Clearwater River at the bridge above Kooskia (MP 74) turn left onto paved County Road 1842, towards the Kooskia National Fish Hatchery, pass the fish hatchery approx
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.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Lookout Butte Lookout cost per night?+
What season is Lookout Butte Lookout open?+
Does Lookout Butte Lookout have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Lookout Butte Lookout?+
How do I make reservations at Lookout Butte Lookout?+
What is the cell service like at Lookout 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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