Lookout cabin, single story
Fireplace inside the lookout
Inside view of the lookout

Featured amenities

Parking Parking

About Monument Peak Lookout

Monument Peak Lookout offers guests an impressive yet rustic room with a view. The lookout, built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is perched atop Monument Peak, boasting spectacular 360 degree views of the Little Belt Mountains. The lookout was once used to spot forest fires but was left unused since the 1970s. In 1999, the lookout was removed from its 50 ft pole, restored and placed on a short, solid foundation for public rental use. A high clearance vehicle is recommended, as the 2 mi of road leading up to the cabin are rough and rocky. During wet conditions the entie road may be muddy and often times slippery. The Lookout/Cabin is avaialble for rental between June 1 and Novemebr 30 and is closed for the remainder of the year .

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
Currently open - Jun 15 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet Area

Views and Setting

  • View
Missing information?

001, Loop: AREA MONUMENT PEAK LOOKOUT

🏠 Cabin
  • 2 guests

Site Details

Up to 2 guests
View Site Details

Reviews

17 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Monument Peak Lookout offers a peaceful, isolated experience with stunning views and frequent deer sightings, making it a great spot for nature lovers. While some reviewers noted issues like pests and a lack of a fire grate, the functional fire pit and the serene atmosphere were appreciated. Overall, the location is highly recommended for a quiet getaway, especially in the fall.

Based on guest feedback

4.5

Overall rating

Based on 17 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 64.7% (11)
4 stars 29.4% (5)
3 stars 0.0% (0)
2 stars 5.9% (1)
1 star 0.0% (0)

Showing 17 reviews

Nathaniel C

Verified

January 15, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MONUMENT PEAK LOOKOUT

This lookout was phenomenal during the late summer months-- highly recommend to families. We wish we were able to stay longer than two nights!

Helpful

tessa f

Verified

August 24, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MONUMENT PEAK LOOKOUT

The tower itself was great. However, the amount of visitors we had was frustrating to say the least. I’ve stayed in10+towers and have never had this many people come up. Some of them were threatening enough that we had to pull our gun.
Five groups in 5.5 hours of us being there. A family was there when we arrived but they quickly left and were very nice. As they left another truck came up, but they stayed at a distance. One group parked right next to our car and then wanted a tour, then got rude when we explained we were there renting this as a get away. Another group had 15+people in it and stayed up there for over an hour. Then a group also came up at 930, a truck full of men that I assume wanted to use the fire pit to party. Instead they parked next to the tower and all 6 of the got out walking around for quite some time.
Because of this we chose to get up at 6am, watch the sunrise, then pack and leave so that we didn’t have to be subjected to anymore potential harassment’s.
If there was a warning about the potential for so many people in the description then I somehow missed it and would not have rented this tower had I known.

Helpful

Sam O

Verified

October 15, 2020 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MONUMENT PEAK LOOKOUT

Wow, so great! The only thing I would change is if we could have stayed longer. We walked around the peak and made a small fire, I spent a large amount of time reading and enjoying the stories in the lookout journal. My only suggestion to future visitors is to bring your own lanterns/ head lamps/ candles. We turned the fire lookout upside down looking for the lanterns that were listed in the description but couldn’t find them anywhere. We came under prepared and didn’t pack any extra, so our lighting consisted of a tall candle and my phone flashlight underneath a empty water jug. Can’t wait to go back some day. Ah yes, and definitely bring an extra sleeping pad for the “beds”. You can thank me later, lol.

Helpful

David C

Verified

June 7, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MONUMENT PEAK LOOKOUT

In on June 3, out late the afternoon of June 4. Was able to drive a Subaru to the end of the first meadow ~1 mi in before hitting snow. The next day melt and some ATVs had pretty much cleared out all the drifts. I'd imagine you can drive anything short of maybe a passenger car to the lookout right now.

Helpful

Rod B

Verified

July 14, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MONUMENT PEAK LOOKOUT

It was a great get-away for my wife and I. The only two problems were the hundreds of flies that greeted us as we opened it up, and the very hard mattresses - both minor issues.

Helpful

Victoria W

Verified

June 25, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MONUMENT PEAK LOOKOUT

We stayed two nights. The directions were a bit deceptive, turning off highway 89, county road 340 is marked as Evans Riceville Road. But other than that, not bad. There were no hard hats nor instructions for the shutters so we left them as we found them. Also no lanterns inside, glad we brought two. The propane stove worked well but we could not get the woodstove door to shut completely so the nights were chilly. Woke up to 38 degrees the first morning. Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would go again. The price is certainly right.

Helpful

James R

Verified

July 4, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA MONUMENT PEAK LOOKOUT

Wow! Outstanding location. Panoramic views. Many visitors (birds, hare, elk, deer) ! Cozy lookout! Excellent mountain bike riding. Watched a thunderstorm roll in two peaks away! Must have a high ground clearance truck or SUV, as much of the road is rock and very rugged from 839 to tower. Also caution... lots of flies when you initially opened to door. Colman stove in lookout was filthy...recommend bring your own stove..

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Location & Directions for Monument Peak Lookout

809 2 Nd St. Nw, Harlowton, MT 59036 United States

Elevation: 2,248 ft

Nearest town

Harlowton, MT - 129 mi

About over 2 hr (178 min) to downtown

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check out time

11AM

General

  • The cabin sleeps two people, however, two additional tents are allowed at the site (accommodating another four people). The whole facility can only provide enough room and service for six people total. Exceeding this limit is grounds for eviction without refund.
  • No water, electricity or plumbing available
  • Bring firewood; although there is some firewood in the area if visitors are willing to gather it
  • Clean lookout and grounds prior to departure; a fee may be charged if additional clean-up is needed.
  • Road to the lookout is rough the last 4 miles; a high clearance vehicle is recommended. First 2 weeks of June and the month of Oct. may be walk in, due to snow conditions.
  • In winter, access is limited to snowmobile, cross country skiing or snowshoeing; trail is not groomed
  • Window shutters are heavy and usually require two people to open and lock in place; hardhats are available for safety purposes while opening the shutters
  • Flies are abundant; visitors may need to sweep up dead flies upon arrival
  • Pets are not allowed in the cabin at any time, but can be kept outside in a kennel or on a six-foot or less leash. Users are responsible for removing all pet food and droppings from rental site prior to departure.
  • 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: October 24, 2026

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Explore Harlowton, MT

Population: 1,058

Nearby city: Great Falls, MT

Approx. 36 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 4,177 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service