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
Kassidi M
VerifiedAugust 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Very clean and peaceful. Great experience. Some supplies were available in the lookout as well.
DAndrea W
VerifiedJuly 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
We had a great time at Mission Lookout. Unfortunately the smoke limited the amazing views. Did hear the packrats at night, but didn't see any (thank goodness). Cabin was clean and beds comfortable. We parked our 16' teardrop at the base, which gave us a place to sit and cook, as the tower heats-up during the day. Nice to sleep up high and enjoy the cool breeze. We fly-fished and waded the Swan river which is close. Bathroom was clean and well supplied. We were there in mid Jul, be prepared for mosquitoes. Secondary road to the tower is a little rutted. Would suggest NFS install a picnic table at the base.
Joshua N
VerifiedJune 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Awesome lookout. Great views and easily accessible.
Juliana H
VerifiedApril 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Love this fire tower! It’s my favorite one so far
Elysian M
VerifiedJanuary 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
This lookout was our first time staying in a lookout! The view was stunning! I went with my 6yr old son to watch the Perseid meteor shower(mid Aug) however, after swimming all day at Swan Lake we were too tuckered out to stay up till the sun went down. We also road our bikes on the gravel roads all over and hopped down through the Swan to check out some less populated lakes due to Covid. What an awesome experience! However, it took me quite a few hours to get used to the hieght. But once I did, it was very relaxing, quite, and had endless beauty!
Sarah M
VerifiedOctober 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Breath taking place! We had an amazing stay in this beautiful lookout. We will definitely be back to stay here again.
Mary W
VerifiedFebruary 13, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
I love lookout out towers, and this one was extra special. It was recently updated and everything was bright and clean. The road was easy to travel right to the tower. It was peaceful and relaxing and made a great base camp for exploring the area.
Hannah F
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MISSION LOOKOUT
Of the five different lookouts I've stayed in throughout Montana, Mission Lookout is one of the best. The road to the lookout is very accessible. The Lookout is also equipped with new windows which was a treat. The space was very spacious and clean. It's definitely one of the higher lookouts I've stayed in but the view is worth it. We did receive some (human) visitors who both drove up to the lookout and one person who climbed the stairs. It was a little off putting to be visited by strangers like that. If you're at all able to book this lookout - do 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.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
