Diamond Butte Lookout

This lookout was very clean. The ranger was there when we arrived and was nice. The turn off at the main road wasn’t well marked but that is my only complaint. We have been visiting a couple of lookouts a year for a while and Diamond Butte and Minton Peak on this visit were the cleanest and most inviting of any so far. Wish they were all so well maintained.

Very neat place, awesome views, a little work out getting everything up the hill but well worth it. Thunderstorms rocked all evening. Wished I could've stayed longer.

This lookout was very clean. The ranger was there when we arrived and was nice. The turn off at the main road wasn’t well marked but that is my only complaint. We have been visiting a couple of lookouts a year for a while and Diamond Butte and Minton Peak on this visit were the cleanest and most inviting of any so far. Wish they were all so well maintained.

Very neat place, awesome views, a little work out getting everything up the hill but well worth it. Thunderstorms rocked all evening. Wished I could've stayed longer.

All the comforts of home - propane stove with oven, full size refrigerator/freezer, propane heater and lights. Just bring your water and you are all set. Only downside is cabin atop a tall, steep butte and can be quite a chore getting gear and people up to the cabin. May be a problem for elderly, kids or those less fit. Also outhouse is at base of butte and quite a hike down for those night time visits. Trail up to cabin can get quite muddy and slick when it rains.
Highest point in Custer Forest provides beautiful panoramic views. Windows around all 4 sides.

All the comforts of home - propane stove with oven, full size refrigerator/freezer, propane heater and lights. Just bring your water and you are all set. Only downside is cabin atop a tall, steep butte and can be quite a chore getting gear and people up to the cabin. May be a problem for elderly, kids or those less fit. Also outhouse is at base of butte and quite a hike down for those night time visits. Trail up to cabin can get quite muddy and slick when it rains.
Highest point in Custer Forest provides beautiful panoramic views. Windows around all 4 sides.

This is a very well kept lodging, warm and comfortable in all ways inspite of the very cold muddy period we were there. Others should treat themselves to the high altitude experience.

This is a very well kept lodging, warm and comfortable in all ways inspite of the very cold muddy period we were there. Others should treat themselves to the high altitude experience.

We planned our visit for right after Thanksgiving, as it is tough to get a reservation during the summer if you don't plan ahead. It is a very popular place with great sights and hiking. Even if you come in winter there is still great hiking and sights to see. However, in order to get to the lookout, there is a very steep path you must go up to reach the tower. During our stay, this path was covered in ice and was extremely slippery. We could not even use the wagon as it would just slide around and pulling the wagon through the grass on the side hill was not ideal either due to snow and not wanting to ruin vegetation.
It is a great experience and we loved the 360-degree view. We will be back, hopefully when it is not so icy!

We planned our visit for right after Thanksgiving, as it is tough to get a reservation during the summer if you don't plan ahead. It is a very popular place with great sights and hiking. Even if you come in winter there is still great hiking and sights to see. However, in order to get to the lookout, there is a very steep path you must go up to reach the tower. During our stay, this path was covered in ice and was extremely slippery. We could not even use the wagon as it would just slide around and pulling the wagon through the grass on the side hill was not ideal either due to snow and not wanting to ruin vegetation.
It is a great experience and we loved the 360-degree view. We will be back, hopefully when it is not so icy!