Thompson Peak Lookout Tower
Lolo National Forest — hiking
Location: SUPERIOR, MT, MT
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (31 reviews)
Season: May through October
Thompson Peak Lookout provides great views of the Clark Fork Valley, the town of Superior, the Idaho state line and, of course, the big sky of Montana. It is close enough to Superior to allow for easy access, but remote enough to provide the quiet and solitude expected at a lookout. The modernized tower provides amenities not typical to a lookout, making it a desirable place to stay.A variety of trails exist in the area, allowing visitors a chance to explore the surrounding forest.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/thompson-peak-lookout-tower to be notified when sites open up.
Thompson Peak Lookout provides exceptional views of the Clark Fork Valley and surrounding Montana landscape while offering modernized amenities unusual for a lookout tower. Google reviewers praise it as the most up-to-date lookout option in the northwest with convenient proximity to Superior.
Wildlife alert: Wapiti, American Beaver, Muskrat, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Great Blue Heron, Pileated Woodpecker, and Great Horned Owl documented in the area.
Insider tips for Thompson Peak Lookout Tower: Book early as a federal campground with only 1 site Drive-up access available during operating months Check cot condition before settling in, as reviewers reported maintenance issues
Skip Thompson Peak Lookout Tower if: Seeking complete isolation from civilization—train noise audible from the site. Needing RV hookups—no hookups available. Visiting outside May-October seasonal window.
Best time to visit Thompson Peak Lookout Tower: May-October — Official operating season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Trout Creek Campground (Mt) (Superior, MT), Sloway Campground (Mt) (Superior, MT), Quartz Flat Campground (Mt) (Superior, MT), Cascade Campground (Plains , MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Thompson Peak Lookout Tower
Cell signal at Thompson Peak Lookout Tower (SUPERIOR, MT): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- 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.
Thompson Peak Lookout provides great views of the Clark Fork Valley, the town of Superior, the Idaho state line and, of course, the big sky of Montana. It is close enough to Superior to allow for easy access, but remote enough to provide the quiet and solitude expected at a lookout. The modernized tower provides amenities not typical to a lookout, making it a desirable place to stay.A variety of trails exist in the area, allowing visitors a chance to explore the surrounding forest.
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 a federal campground with only 1 site
Drive-up access available during operating months
Check cot condition before settling in, as reviewers reported maintenance issues
Official operating season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Missoula, Montana, travel west on I-90 for about 55 miles to Exit 47 for Superior. Turn left at the stop sign. At the next stop sign turn left and proceed under the interstate. Turn left onto Diamond Match Road, towards the Exxon Gas Station, and continue just over a mile, then turn right onto Forest Service Road 320. Drive for about 3 miles and then turn right onto Forest Service Road 7863 and travel just over 6 miles to the lookout. Maps are available online or for purchase by calling the
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 Thompson Peak Lookout Tower cost per night?+
What season is Thompson Peak Lookout Tower open?+
Does Thompson Peak Lookout Tower have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Thompson Peak Lookout Tower?+
How do I make reservations at Thompson Peak Lookout Tower?+
What is the cell service like at Thompson Peak Lookout Tower?+
What season is Thompson Peak Lookout Tower open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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