About Castle Butte Lookout
Number of accommodations: 1
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2026 Season availability
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Reviews (5)
What Guests Are Saying
The cook stove and heater were reported as non-functional. Additionally, there were no cots available as mentioned in the provided materials. Overall, the amenities did not meet expectations.
What Guests Are Saying
The cook stove and heater were reported as non-functional. Additionally, there were no cots available as mentioned in the provided materials. Overall, the amenities did not meet expectations.
Review Summary
Kristi A
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CASTLE BUTTE LOOKOUT
cook stove, didnt work. Heater, didnt work. No cots as listed in materials provided.
Konrad L
VerifiedAugust 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CASTLE BUTTE LOOKOUT
The views were amazing. We had a handful of visitors during the day. Clear view of the Milky Way. The 500 road is horrendous need 4 wheel drive and high clearance to pass it. Heard that the Forest is planning on fixing the road at the end of this year though.
Brandi P
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CASTLE BUTTE LOOKOUT
Amazing views, the lookout was cozy. We hiked into Bald Mountain lake and fished and picked huckleberries. We also went to Rocky Ridge lake. Next trip we want to go to Horseshoe lake and Indian post office lakes.
Craig W
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CASTLE BUTTE LOOKOUT
Once we got there it was amazing. However, we came up Forest Rd 568 to drive the Lolo Motorway and that turned out to be a bad idea. It was in terrible shape east-west on 500. Took us over 6 hours on that route to get to the lookout once we left hardball. 107 was fine on the way out. Everything on FR 500 including the shortest route to Castle Butte is really really really bad. We had a 4WD truck with high wheel clearance, partially deflated the tires and we really thought we might be hiking out. We made it, but I won't do that again.
Perry C
VerifiedJanuary 6, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CASTLE BUTTE LOOKOUT
The Good
Everything other than what I mention below. The views were great, the cabin was well stocked, etc.
The two complaints I have (and one is not due to the cabin) are,
The road in is in very bad shape. I rode this years ago but it is very rough now, even for 4wd.
My only complaint with the cabin was the propane stove and light. It had such a bad leak when turned on it was unusable. Besides the smell, the safety factor made it unusable. Luckily we had another way to heat food and lamps. Other than that, a fun experience that I highly recommend. Did I mention the 5am views?
Location Castle Butte Lookout
Address:
Fenn Ranger Station 831 Selway Rd
Kooskia, ID, 83539
United States
From Missoula, MT: Take US Highway 12 West for about 65 miles. All roads from this point are gravel or dirt and a vehicle with high clearance is suggested. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 108 (Waw'aalamnime Rd), go about .5 miles, turn left onto Forest Service Road #566 (Doe Creek) which is a very narrow and winding road. Travel approximately 1 mile to an intersection with Forest Service Road #500 (Lolo Motorway), turn left onto the Lolo Motorway. Travel west approximately 18 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road #561 (Castle Butte Rd) and travel south about 1.5 miles to the Castle Butte Lookout. Estimated driving time from Missoula is 3 hours.
From Kooskia, ID: Take US Highway 12 East for approximately 17 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 101 (Smith Creek Rd). All roads from this point are gravel or dirt and a vehicle with high clearance is suggested. Travel approximately 21 miles, then take a slight right onto Forest Service Road 500 (Lolo Motorway) at the Mex Mountain junction. Travel approximately 33 miles, turn right onto Forest Service Road 561. Turn right onto Forest Service Road #561 (Castle Butte Rd) and travel south about 1.5 miles to the Castle Butte Lookout. Estimated driving time from Kooskia is 5 hours.
From Kamiah, ID: Take US Highway 12 East for about 1 mile and turn left at the end of the bridge over the Clearwater River onto Woodland Road. Drive about 1 mile and turn right onto Glenwood Road (Forest Service Road 100). Drive for about 23 miles to Road 103 at the Musselshell junction. All roads from this point are gravel or dirt and a vehcile with high clearance is suggested. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 103 (Gravey Creek Road) and travel 11 miles to Beaver Dam Saddle. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 104, travel for 1 mile. Take a left onto Road 500 (Lolo Motorway) travel approximately 20 miles to Forest Service Road 561 (Castle Butte Road). Turn right onto Forest Service Road #561 (Castle Butte Rd) and travel south about 1.5 miles to the Castle Butte Lookout. Estimated driving time from Kamiah is 4 hours.
Latitude & Longitude: 46.4342 / -115.219
Elevation: 2005 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Guests need a lock combination to access the lookout cabin; combination will be on confirmation email |
| General |
Cell phone coverage is not available and the nearest payphone is 45 miles away in Powell, Idaho. Plan on bringing a map for navigation to the site. |
| General |
Access road is very rough, high clearance 4x4 vehicles advised |
| General |
No water is available at the lookout |
| General |
We discourage bringing children to the lookout because of the inherent danger of such a facility |
| General |
No garbage service is offered; please pack out your garbage |
| General |
Candles are not permitted in the lookout |
| General |
No livestock allowed |
| General |
Domestic pets are allowed; please be sure to clean up after them |
| General |
Most lookouts have occasional visits from Forest Service employees or members of the public; these people may be using the pit toilet or looking at the views from the peak or cabin walkway |
| General |
Click here for more information about Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests |
| General |
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org. |
