OutReserve

Diamond Butte Lookout

Vault Toilet below the lookout
DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT
A view from inside Diamond Butte Lookout

About Diamond Butte Lookout

Diamond Butte Lookout is perched atop a 30-foot masonry tower on Diamond Butte at an altitude of 4,245 feet in the Custer National Forest approximately 40 miles from Ashland, Montana. The lookout was moved from its original location of Yeager Butte in 1958 and was an active fire lookout until 2001. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. This vantage point offers the chance to enjoy sunrises, sunsets and star gazing on clear nights. The lookout is accessible by car, but it is a 200-foot walk up a steep hill to the lookout from the parking area. Guests should be prepared to bring most of their own supplies and gear.

Number of accommodations: 1

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
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Feb
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Currently closed - Opens on Sep 15

001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

Price not available
🏠 Cabin Unavailable

Site Details

Up to 4 guests
Surface: Gravel
Driveway entry: Back-In
Pet Friendly
View 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.

Review Summary

4.7
63 reviews
5
77.8%
49
4
15.9%
10
3
3.2%
2
2
3.2%
2
1
0.0%
0

Robert P

Verified

May 18, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

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

Verified

May 18, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

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

Verified

May 18, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

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

Verified

March 27, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

So, so quiet. So beautiful. What a special place.

Tait S

Verified

March 27, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

So, so quiet. So beautiful. What a special place.

Heath N

Verified

December 29, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

4

Amazing views.

Heath N

Verified

December 29, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

4

Amazing views.

Felix K

Verified

December 2, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

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

Verified

December 2, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

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

Verified

March 29, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

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

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

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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