Lookout Tower Exterior
Lookout Interior 1
Lookout Tower from ground
Lookout Interior, View of Mission Mountains
View facing NW towards Swan Lake

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Sleeping Capacity Sleeping Capacity

About Mission Lookout

Mission Lookout towers above the forest canopy, providing guests with unrivaled 360-degree views of the beautiful Swan Range, Mission Mountains and Swan Lake. The site served for 75 years as a fire detection tower, and the current lookout has been around since its construction in 1959. The tower can be accessed by vehicle. A parking area is adjacent to the facility. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Will sleep up to 4 people. Dogs are NOT ALLOWED in the Lookout. 

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
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Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Sleeping Capacity Sleeping Capacity
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking

Cabin Interior

  • Toilet Type
  • Sleeping Capacity

Views and Setting

  • View
Missing information?

001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

🏠 Cabin
  • 4 guests

Site Details

Up to 4 guests
View Site Details

Reviews (35)

What Guests Are Saying

Mission Lookout offers a cozy and well-maintained cabin experience with stunning views and ample amenities, including cooking equipment and games. The access road is easy, and the location provides a sense of seclusion. While the heat and mosquitoes can be challenging, the overall experience is highly rated by visitors.

Review Summary

4.8
35 reviews
5
85.7%
30
4
11.4%
4
3
2.9%
1
2
0.0%
0
1
0.0%
0

Maggie B

Verified

August 8, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

3

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

Verified

July 14, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

4

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

Verified

November 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

5

Great lookout! Great views!

James S

Verified

July 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

5

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

Verified

June 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

5

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

Verified

May 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

5

Best place in the entire world. Keep it clean and keep it secret so it never gets ruined.

Erynn M

Verified

October 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

5

Clean and beautiful, just what I needed. It is clear from the visitor book that everyone that visits really cares about it.

Tim W

Verified

October 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

5

a night at the lookout was spectacular. I’m afraid of heights, and this stretched me, but we’ll worth it! Those bringing pets, please remember that those without them have a different standard of clean, there was a lot of dog hair to clean up from a previous guest. Don’t miss the stars at night, i happened to get a night with no moon, so the milky way was clear.

Katie M

Verified

September 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

5

Mission LO is so wonderful. We arrived in the dark after driving 10 hour straight from the Washington Coast. The cabin was clean and well maintained and that vault toilet at the base was well stocked. There was wood already available at the fire pit as well. The cabin is well stocked with a gas stove, cleaning supplies (some of which were running out when we were there), board games, dishes, pots & pans, books, a lantern, and more!

The star gazing was awesome from the tower and it was warm enough to sleep with the windows open. We heard some of the pack rats scrambling up the tower at night (thankfully they can't get past the trap door) and what we thought was a bear too (found some tracks and scat the next morning).

If you have a chance to reserve Mission Lookout, I highly recommend it. It's the best maintained fire lookout I've been to!

Dwayne M

Verified

September 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT

5

Perfect.

Location & Directions for Mission Lookout

200 Ranger Station Road, Bigfork, MT 59911 United States

Elevation: 1,112 ft

Getting There

From Swan Lake, travel south on Highway 83 for 3 mi. 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 ...

Nearest town

Bigfork, MT - 23 mi

About 35 min to downtown

Highway access

Mission Lookout is accessible via Montana State Highway 35, which is approximately 15 miles to the east.

Nearby National Park

Glacier National Park

West Entrance

Approximate driving time: over 1 hr (89 min)

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

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Last updated: October 19, 2026

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Explore Bigfork, MT

Population: 5,565

Nearby city: Missoula, MT

Approx. 71 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 2,933 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service