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

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

About Diamond Butte Lookout

Diamond Butte Lookout is perched atop a 30-foot masonry tower on Diamond Butte at an altitude of 4.2 ft in the Custer National Forest approximately 40 mi 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.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
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Currently open - Sep 15 to Dec 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Propane
  • Propane
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly

Cabin Interior

  • Heating
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001, Loop: AREA DIAMOND BUTTE LOOKOUT

🏠 Cabin Select dates to check availability
  • 4 guests
  • Pet Friendly

Site Details

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

Reviews

63 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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.

Based on guest feedback

4.7

Overall rating

Based on 63 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 77.8% (49)
4 stars 15.9% (10)
3 stars 3.2% (2)
2 stars 3.2% (2)
1 star 0.0% (0)

Showing 63 reviews

Robert P

Verified

May 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.

Helpful

Robert P

Verified

May 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 mi 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!

Helpful

Robert P

Verified

May 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.

Helpful

Felix K

Verified

December 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.

Helpful

Felix K

Verified

December 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.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Diamond Butte Lookout

Po Box 168 2378 Hwy 212, Ashland, MT 59003 United States

Elevation: 1,301 ft

Getting There

From Ashland, Montana: travel east on State Highway 212 for approximately 3 mi. Turn south onto Otter Creek Road hwy 484 and travel 20 mi. Just past the Fort Howes Work Center, turn east onto Taylor Creek Road and travel 12 mi to Sonnette Divide R...

Nearest town

Ashland, MT - 38 mi

About over 1 hr (61 min) to downtown

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: November 3, 2026

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Population: 959

Elevation: 2,904 ft

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