About Diamond Butte Lookout
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
Site Details
Reviews (63)
What Guests Are Saying
Diamond Butte Lookout offers a cozy and enjoyable experience, highlighted by stunning views of the Milky Way, sunsets, and abundant wildlife. The lookout is clean, well-stocked, and equipped with a complete propane package, enhancing comfort during varied weather conditions. While access involves a steep, uneven path and the need to bring cleaning supplies, the overall atmosphere and natural beauty make it a highly recommended destination for those seeking peace and solitude.
What Guests Are Saying
Diamond Butte Lookout offers a cozy and enjoyable experience, highlighted by stunning views of the Milky Way, sunsets, and abundant wildlife. The lookout is clean, well-stocked, and equipped with a complete propane package, enhancing comfort during varied weather conditions. While access involves a steep, uneven path and the need to bring cleaning supplies, the overall atmosphere and natural beauty make it a highly recommended destination for those seeking peace and solitude.
Review Summary
Robert P
VerifiedMay 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
See my last review. Thank you to whoever cancelled so I got to spend two days here instead of one! I also was the last renter to pay $25.
Robert P
VerifiedMay 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
Wow! Where do I even begin? Awesome views, awesome features and awesome design.
When you get there get the key from the lookout so you can get the cart in the bottom portion of the building to haul your gear up that hill. You will want to put the heavy items in the front of the cart or else you will be doing wheelies. Please do not overload as the cart has been replaced or repaired twice over the years but who know how fast that happens. It is also faster and safer going up and down with 2-3 small loads than one big one.
Flip the switch at the bottom of the fridge when you first get there so the fridge starts getting cold. The Forest Service wants all valves turned off between visitors. The freezer with get cold first so put items in there as the fridge portion took about an hour or so to get cold.
Forest Service or future visitors please bring a new hardback blank book for use as a journal or even a thick notebook so people can continue to leave notes about their visit. Some stories and tips and pretty interesting and funny. I am also amazed at some of the artwork people do.
There were no signs of mice upstairs but evidence of some below but there are traps down there.
Full cell phone service & 4G LTE for Verizon. There is a tower 6 miles east. To be able to have that in the middle of nowhere was surprising.
Keep the heater are level one or two as it will burn you up. Super efficient.
Keep the door closed to limit flies or you will be "Lord Of The Flies".
Please note the vault toilet is available for public use so don't leave your super comfy 2 ply there. It will get used or taken especially during hunting season.
This is the NICEST Forest Service cabin/lookout I have ever stayed at. Why can the Ashland Forest District have these cabins/lookouts with power from electricity or propane but others have none at all? Is it the funding or the people running the district?
Thank you Ashland Forest Service!
Robert P
VerifiedMay 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
See my last review. Thank you to whoever cancelled so I got to spend two days here instead of one! I also was the last renter to pay $25.
Tait S
VerifiedMarch 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
So, so quiet. So beautiful. What a special place.
Tait S
VerifiedMarch 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
So, so quiet. So beautiful. What a special place.
Heath N
VerifiedDecember 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
Amazing views.
Heath N
VerifiedDecember 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
Amazing views.
Felix K
VerifiedDecember 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
Isolated location like we expected. The lodging quarters were just fine. The stove area was greasy but not everyone cleans things to the same degree so no big deal. The heat was plenty while temps outside were 16-30 degrees. Great place for us.
Felix K
VerifiedDecember 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
Isolated location like we expected. The lodging quarters were just fine. The stove area was greasy but not everyone cleans things to the same degree so no big deal. The heat was plenty while temps outside were 16-30 degrees. Great place for us.
Tammy W
VerifiedMarch 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
We had a wonderful time! It is a beautiful view of the Big Horn Mountains.
Location Diamond Butte Lookout
Address:
Po Box 168 2378 Hwy 212
Ashland, MT, 59003
United States
From Ashland, Montana: travel east on State Highway 212 for approximately 3 miles. Turn south onto Otter Creek Road hwy 484 and travel 20 miles. Just past the Fort Howes Work Center, turn east onto Taylor Creek Road and travel 12 miles to Sonnette Divide Road. Turn north onto the Sonnette Divide Road for 2 miles then turn east on the Diamond Butte Lookout Road. Travel 1 mile to the lookout.
Latitude & Longitude: 45.2492 / -105.933
Elevation: 1301 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- There is no water; guests must provide their own water for drinking, cooking and washing
- Be bear aware: keep all food, trash and scented items stored inside the cabin
- Guests must pack out all trash and clean cabin before departure
- Learn more about the Custer National Forest
- 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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 4, 2026