West Fork Butte Lookout
Lolo National Forest — hiking
Location: MISSOULA, MT, MT
Price: From $55 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Season: May through October
West Fork Butte Lookout is an ideal place for guests to experience the mountains south of Missoula from a unique vantage point. The facility provides near-360-degree views of the surrounding area. It is equipped with basic supplies and provides guests a base camp location from which to explore the area.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/west-fork-butte-lookout to be notified when sites open up.
West Fork Butte Lookout offers near-360-degree views of the mountains south of Missoula from a unique vantage point, with an average Google rating of 4.6/5 stars from campers praising the scenic location.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Moose, Golden Eagle, American Pika, Snowshoe Hare, Hoary Marmot, Pacific Wren, Dark-eyed Junco, Brown-headed Cowbird, Dark-eyed Junco, Common Garter Snake
Insider tips for West Fork Butte Lookout: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site Road access is variable in spring and fall; Forest Road 37 closes December 1 - May 1 Plan for a short walk to the site if the final quarter mile is gated
Skip West Fork Butte Lookout if: You need hookups - no hookups available. You visit outside May-October operating season. You want to drive all the way to the site during shoulder seasons.
Best time to visit West Fork Butte Lookout: July-September — Peak summer season with reliable vehicle access; May-June and October have variable access conditions.
Nearby campgrounds: Larry Creek Group Camp (STEVENSVILLE, MT), Pattee Canyon Picnic Area (MISSOULA, MT), Powell Campground (Lolo, ID), Quartz Flat Campground (Mt) (Superior, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at West Fork Butte Lookout
Cell signal at West Fork Butte Lookout (MISSOULA, MT): 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.
West Fork Butte Lookout is an ideal place for guests to experience the mountains south of Missoula from a unique vantage point. The facility provides near-360-degree views of the surrounding area. It is equipped with basic supplies and provides guests a base camp location from which to explore the area.
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
Road access is variable in spring and fall; Forest Road 37 closes December 1 - May 1
Plan for a short walk to the site if the final quarter mile is gated
Peak summer season with reliable vehicle access; May-June and October have variable access 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 →
From Missoula, travel south on Highway 93 to Lolo. Turn onto Highway 12 and continue west for 17 miles, following Lolo Creek to Forest Road 37. Turn left onto Road 37, and cross the concrete bridge over Lolo Creek. . There are two gates along the route to the lookout. The first is located near the beginning of Forest Road 37 not far from the concrete bridge over Lolo Creek. This gate is open during the summer months, closed in the winter and variable during the spring and fall. The second gate i
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 West Fork Butte Lookout cost per night?+
What season is West Fork Butte Lookout open?+
Does West Fork Butte Lookout have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at West Fork Butte Lookout?+
How do I make reservations at West Fork Butte Lookout?+
What is the cell service like at West Fork Butte Lookout?+
What season is West Fork Butte 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.
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