About Mission Lookout
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Site Details
Reviews (28)
What Guests Are Saying
Mission Lookout provides an amazing and beautiful experience, with easy access and a well-stocked tower that ensures comfort. While the cleanliness of the facilities is commendable, some guests faced issues with hornets and unexpected visitors, which slightly detracted from their stay. Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives, making it a highly rated destination.
What Guests Are Saying
Mission Lookout provides an amazing and beautiful experience, with easy access and a well-stocked tower that ensures comfort. While the cleanliness of the facilities is commendable, some guests faced issues with hornets and unexpected visitors, which slightly detracted from their stay. Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives, making it a highly rated destination.
Review Summary
Christie D
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
What an amazing experience
Ray H
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
We give the highest rating possible! Access road short and easy, but still secluded. Swan beach nearby. Tower is perfect, one of the top two we have experienced.
Kristin A R
VerifiedJuly 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Beautiful stay! Easy access to the Lookout, it was well stocked (dishes, utensils). Bed and cost were comfortable.
It was blazing hot (94 degrees) with no breeze - I’m glad we had a light parachute blanket with us to tie up over some windows to provide shade.
Toilet below was well kept, very clean.
We had a great time!
Maggie B
VerifiedAugust 8, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
There are hornets everywhere trying to get in, you can’t go outside because they swam you and since there is holes in the door screen and other screen the windows can’t be open or they get in. Maybe there is a nest under the lookout since they don’t seam to stir unless you’re walking around?
Lisa M
VerifiedJuly 14, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Awesome as always but it’s short of a 5 star review because of the looky loos on foot and by vehicle that came up the driveway within the 1st couple hours of our stay! There should maybe be a sign at the gate that mentions that it’s a private rental to stop folks from walking and driving up.
Tiffany C
VerifiedNovember 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Great lookout! Great views!
James S
VerifiedJuly 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
We have been coming to Mission Lookout since the summer of 2004, we Love it!! The improvements have been much appreciated. Our only complaint is that it is so popular now it is nearly impossible to get a reservation. If you are lucky enough to get there, you will enjoy it too!
Maddi B
VerifiedJune 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Though it was cloudy and rainy, it was still one of the best places I’ve ever been. The lookout was very clean and well taken care of.
Aaron R
VerifiedMay 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Best place in the entire world. Keep it clean and keep it secret so it never gets ruined.
Erynn M
VerifiedOctober 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Clean and beautiful, just what I needed. It is clear from the visitor book that everyone that visits really cares about it.
Location Mission Lookout
Address:
200 Ranger Station Road
Bigfork, MT, 59911
United States
From Swan Lake, travel south on Highway 83 for 3 miles. Turn west onto Porcupine Creek Road 10229 (mile-marker 68). After passing Forest Road 9714, turn right onto Forest Road 9803 (2.2 miles after leaving the state highway). Continue on Forest Road 9803 for 1.4 miles, to a gate. The gate may be opened. If not, it can be opened with the same combination code as the tower. The tower and parking area are located just beyond the gate.
Mission Lookout is accessible via Montana State Highway 35, which is approximately 15 miles to the east.
Latitude & Longitude: 47.8942 / -113.873
Elevation: 1112 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- Water, electricity and sewer is not available at the cabin. There is a vault toilet at the base of the lookout.
- Grizzly bears frequent the area; use appropriate containers for food and garbage
- The lookout is a 40-foot tower and guests must be prepared to climb and carry provisions up the steep stairway; due to the height of the tower, children under age 10 are discouraged
- During your stay the Forest Service or their representatives may be present at or around the cabin to perform repairs, stocking of cabin supplies, snow removal, or any other general maintenance.
- Pets are not allowed at the lookout
- Candles or any other open flames are prohibited within the structure
- Please bring garbage bags; this is a 'pack-it-in, pack-it-out' facility
- Contact the ranger district office at (406) 837-7500, during normal office hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for updates on weather and road conditions; refunds will not be given for inclement weather or road conditions.
- The cabin remains locked; a combination lock code will be contained in the reservation confirmation letter
- Guests must clean cabin prior to departure; a fee will be charged if extra clean-up is needed
- Commercial use of cabin is prohibited
- Click here for more information on the Flathead 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 5, 2026
