About Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
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Reviews (44)
Review Summary
Michael C
VerifiedMarch 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
Beautiful views as always!!
Kaylee S
VerifiedDecember 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
🕺🕺🕺🤩🤩🤩🫡🫡🫡
carolina d
VerifiedNovember 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
Absolutely stunning and incredibly well maintained. Bring your own water!
Katherine U
VerifiedOctober 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
We had an amazing evening at the lookout! Even though the fog rolled in and we woke up to some snow, it was a lovely place to spend our anniversary.
Samantha M
VerifiedAugust 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
Check staying in a lookout off the to-do list!! What a great experience. Sure, the hike up carrying a ton of water wasn't for the weak of will, but it was TOTALLY worth it. Granted, a smart person would track down someone w a small OHV and get a ride up! lol. The lookout is rather spartan, but was clean and cozy. The previous occupant failed to close and lock the door, so it was wide open when I got there. With that, there were more flies inside than I cared for, but that wasn't the cabin's fault, just an irresponsible renter! Please be certain to close and lock the door behind you.
Gets pretty WARM on summer evenings from the sun blasting in the windows. NOTE FOR NEXT SUMMER RENTER: There are at least one or two windows that do open! I didn't discover this until i read an entry from a previous occupant as I was LEAVING and definitely found a latch. An open window during sunset to let the hot air out may have made all the difference. Even with the warmth and having to carry a whole lot of water up, the experience was gold star! Love the Lookout!
Anna B
VerifiedAugust 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
Steven P
VerifiedJuly 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
I experienced one of the most amazing sights I've ever seen. A storm rolled in, dropping sheets of water on the surrounding mountains. The setting sun peaked through the clouds, illuminating the falling rain. The mountains appeared as if on fire from the glowing orange streaks of rain.
The cabin is well appointed, well insulated, and comfortable. There are multiple trails, nearby Rat Lake is gorgeous, and the nearby Gallatin River offers a great opportunity to cool off and gather water.
Sandra F
VerifiedJuly 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
I was very pleasantly surprised with how clean the tower was. There was plenty of firewood. There was cards, puzzles, a few games. There was at least a dozen propane cylinders. No way to know how much propane. We did use the fire ring for roasting hot dogs. We did not use the propane stove. WE used the wood stove inside the tower for heat as it was a chilly evening. There were 4 bunks with mattresses and a cpl of sleeping bags. There were many dishes-though as there is zero water in the area I was a bit skeptical how clean they were. The hike up was a steady uphill with the last 3/4 mile much harder. Absolutely amazing stay. Will book again next year. Note-there is a permanent sign about hantavirus but we saw zero signs of mice droppings.
Ray H
VerifiedApril 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
We loved everything about this cabin, except the hantavirus warnings. The car gate was locked on Storm Castle rd, likely due to it being muddy, so that added a couple km to our hike. We walked up the footpath, reaching the snowline about half way up. There we donned show shoes, and that worked good other than across the final long switchback section where the narrow trail crossed the steep sidehill with drifting over the trail making for some perilous moments, but that just made it more memorable. We made it up in about 4 hours, and even without the post-holing that effort was pretty exhausting. The cabin, the stove, and the woodshed were great. We brought up some propane for cooking, but there was already at least 10 leftover canisters there. Anyway, we didn’t need the cabin’s propane stove for cooking because we just cooked simple foods right on top of the wood burning stove. The kids did lots of sledding on the monster snow slope down the north side. 15-cm new powder overnight made us very happy that we had snow shoes. Now, it has been a week since we departed the cabin, and none of us have come down with hantavirus yet, so all looks good.
Meg S
VerifiedFebruary 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
We were unable to get to the cabin. The trail disappeared and bushwhacking in the correct output is in avalanche danger, so we had to turn back. The experience was not bad, but we were disappointed to not get to stay in the cabin
Location Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout
Address:
3710 W Fallon Street Suite C
Bozeman, MT, 59718
United States
Latitude & Longitude: 45.4267 / -111.206
Elevation: 2491 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
The cabin remains locked; a combination lock code will be included in the reservation confirmation letter/email |
| General |
Directions and Access: Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout is NOT accessible by vehicles wider that 50 inches. Access is affected by seasonal road closures. (See below and refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map)From Bozeman, MT: Take US Highway 191 (Huffine Ln.) west to Four Corners, then south towards Big Sky/West Yellowstone for approximately 21 miles to the intersection with Storm Castle Road FS 132 which is on your left (east) and immediately crosses the Gallatin River on a single span concrete bridge. There are three options from this point:1. Garnet Mountain/ Storm Castle Trailhead (This non-motorized trail is open to pedestrians, horseback riders, bicyclists and skiers): Drive 2 miles on Storm Castle Road FS 132 to the Storm Castle Trailhead. On the south side of the road take Trail 85, which immediately crosses a foot bridge. Stay left and avoid the right turn onto the Riverside Trail. Travel 4 miles and 2,500 vertical ft. on Trail 85 to the Lookout.2. Rat Lake Trailhead. (This motorized trail is open to ATVs less than 50" wide, motorcycles and snowmobiles): Drive 6.8 miles on Storm Castle Road FS 132 to the intersection with FS Road 3112. Take the right fork onto FS Road 3112 and drive about a mile more to the primitive Rat Lake trailhead (the end of the road). From there travel Trail 416 for 6 miles to Garnet Mountain Lookout. Follow the signs to Garnet Mountain Trail 416 and avoid the Pioneer Lakes Trail 79.3. Winter Route January 1 through May 15: Storm Castle Road FS 132 is closed to all wheeled motorized vehicles 1/2 mile from US Highway 191. Parking is available at the Storm Castle winter trailhead 1/2 mile from Highway 191 just past the Forest Service Helibase. From the winter parking snowmobiles must follow Option #2 described above. The Lookout is approximately 12 miles via this route from the winter Trailhead. Skiers and snowshoers can follow option #1 for about a 6 mile route to the Lookout. ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION: (Please refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map) The route to Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout cannot be by accessed by passenger vehicle and is closed to vehicles wider than 50 inches beyond the Rat Lake Trailhead. January 1 throuh May 15 Storm Castle Road FS 132 is closed to all wheeled motorized vehicles Cabin renters must park at the Storm Castle winter trailhead 1/2 mile from Highway 191 between January 1 through May 15. This is a groomed multi-use winter trail. Please obey traffic rules. Ride on the right side of the trail and ride with caution. Snowmobiles and bicycles must purchase a winter trail grooming pass to travel on groomed snowmobile routes. Contact Montana, Fish Wildlife and Parks for details. ALL WINTER USERS: Please read the Gallatin National Forest avalanche advisory: www.mtavalanche.com , or call (406) 587-6981.Refunds will not be issued for weather related issues, including weather related accessibility issues. It is your responsibility to think ahead and plan appropriately. |
| General |
Water is not available in the cabin, water from local sources must be treated prior to consumption |
| General |
Please be aware; this facility is not cleaned between every user visit. Visitors are advised to clean high-touch surfaces upon arrival and prior to departure. Cleaning supplies will not be provided, so it is recommended that guests bring their own.Hantavirus notice: Guests should be aware that there is a risk of exposure to hantavirus when visiting remote cabins; click here to learn more |
| General |
Guests must carefully follow the food storage order for Custer Gallatin National Forest; Click here for more information |
| General |
No garbage service; please bring garbage bags and pack out all trash and belongings. Do not leave food, oil, tea, coffee, or canned items in the cabin. |
| General |
Firewood is not provided at Garnet Mountain Lookout from June 1st through September 30th. Provided firewood is for indoor use only for indoor heating and cooking. Cabin users will bring or gather firewood for outdoor use.Burning of Wood Pallets is prohibited.Campfires must be contained within the fire ring adjacent to the facility; no other campfires are authorized.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. |
| General |
Candles are not permitted inside the cabin |
| General |
Federal regulations prohibit firing a gun or use of any other weapon in or within 150 yards of a developed recreation site, across or on a road or body of water, or in any circumstance whereby any person may be injured or property damaged; violators will be prosecuted |
| General |
Horses are not allowed within 100 yards of cabin. Hay and feed must be certified weed-free |
| General |
Pets not recommended; solid pet wastes must be removed within 100 yards of cabin |
| General |
Click here for more information about Custer Gallatin National Forest |
