OutReserve

Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout

Exterior view of lookout
GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT view NW
GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT wood stove
GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT view W
GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT vie SE

About Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout

Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout sits on the apex of Garnet Mountain, at an elevation of 8,245 feet. The lookout provides a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Highlights include the Spanish Peaks to the west, the Gallatin Range to the south, the Hyalite Ridge to the east and the Gallatin River Valley to the north. The structure can be accessed by hiking, horseback or mountain bike on the Garnet Mountain Lookout Trail in the summer. The 4.5-mile trail gains 2,800 feet along its path. Motorcycles and ATVs can access the lookout via the Rat Lake Trail from June 16 through December 1. During winter months, guests must plan on skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing up to 10 miles. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Number of accommodations: 1

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Sites & Availability

1 Site Available

Site
Price
🏠 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT
15 guests
$65.00
/ per night

Reviews (44)

Review Summary

4.6
44 reviews
5
79.5%
35
4
9.1%
4
3
2.3%
1
2
6.8%
3
1
2.3%
1

Meg S

Verified

April 8, 2024 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

5

Better than I expected. Well stocked with pots and pans. Games and puzzles. Coleman stove was great and the firewood was greatly appreciated. Looking forward to coming here again

Brendan H

Verified

February 2, 2024 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

5

Skied in. Beautiful day. Had lots of fun. Cabin very nice. Thank you

John W

Verified

January 28, 2024 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

5

Well stocked, good condition and clean. The folks before us left the cabin clean and they had stocked the wood box. We left it in even cleaner condition and restocked the wood box and we sharpened the axes.
One note, the wood stove door doesn't seal well and as a result you can't in essence control the dampers. The stove will burn through the entire fire box of wood in about 60 minutes. It was thus impractical to keep the stove burning through the night.
A note for the Forest Service - the firebrick on the inside of wood stove is cracked and is in bad shape. The stove will need some serious work soon to perform safely.

Tia S

Verified

December 5, 2023 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

5

Great lookout! Tons of firewood is located underneath the cabin, which should keep all the winter residents toasty throughout the winter. The lookout could use a new log book donated as the current one is full. We had two visitors while we were there, but they were friendly and respectful.

Michael O

Verified

November 13, 2023 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

5

The fire LookOut was incredible!

Dane S

Verified

September 28, 2023 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

4

Healthy hike to the hut. Remember, there is no water so must haul up what you will need for the stay.

Lauren W

Verified

July 21, 2023 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

4

Really beautiful spot with outhouse nearby. The flies were pretty bad and despite the copious amounts of odds and ends that have accumulated in the cabin, there was no fly swatter which would have been really handy. Also out of TP in the outhouse, so remember to bring extra!

David A

Verified

January 23, 2023 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

5

I appreciated the cleanliness, tidiness, and well-stocked wood the previous party left for me!

In the same spirit, I tried to do the same.

Amanda F

Verified

January 4, 2023 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

5

Great lookout. We snowmobiled the whole 12 miles in rather than trying to drive part of it even though the road was still technically open (we clocked it at 10.5 miles total actually). Lots of wind during our stay but we were warm and cozy in the cabin thanks to plenty of wood stocked. Highly suggest bringing your own hatchet as the one there is very dull. We left extra kindling since we had a nice sharp one with us. Huge shoutout to the forest service for keeping this in great shape.

Hayden M

Verified

December 1, 2022 β€’ Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

5

This is the only thing the US government is really great at, props.

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

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