About Hornet Lookout
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Year-round
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Views and Setting
- View
001, Loop: AREA HORNET LOOKOUT
- 2 guests
- Pet Friendly
Site Details
Reviews (35)
What Guests Are Saying
Hornet Lookout offers an unforgettable experience with stunning views, particularly at sunrise and sunset, and abundant wildlife. The drive and hike to the lookout are manageable, though some caution is advised. While there are minor maintenance issues like broken windows and a smokey wood stove, the lookout is well-equipped and clean, making it a must-visit spot near Glacier.
What Guests Are Saying
Hornet Lookout offers an unforgettable experience with stunning views, particularly at sunrise and sunset, and abundant wildlife. The drive and hike to the lookout are manageable, though some caution is advised. While there are minor maintenance issues like broken windows and a smokey wood stove, the lookout is well-equipped and clean, making it a must-visit spot near Glacier.
Review Summary
Janet O
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HORNET LOOKOUT
I enjoyed my stay. The views are exceptional at Hornet. The woodstove is a little smokey, bring your own mouse traps and bring a sheet of plastic to cover your stuff if it rains. In spite of the afore mentioned issues, I look forward to staying at Hornet again.
Janet O
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HORNET LOOKOUT
I enjoyed my stay. The views are exceptional at Hornet. The woodstove is a little smokey, bring your own mouse traps and bring a sheet of plastic to cover your stuff if it rains. In spite of the afore mentioned issues, I look forward to staying at Hornet again.
Zachary J
VerifiedJuly 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HORNET LOOKOUT
Had an awesome stay at Hornet lookout. Amazing sunset and sunrise and the stars and Milky Way were so bright.
It’s just under a 1 mi hike with roughly 750 ft elevation gain according to my Apple Watch so it’s a steep hike!
There was a deer hanging around the lookout in the evening and a huge buck even showed up after dark and was snorting and grunting at the other deer (gave us a scare)
This is a MUST stay spot near Glacier!
Mike J
VerifiedAugust 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HORNET LOOKOUT
The lookout was amazing! I had stayed there over a decade ago and they have added a lot of upgrades. Last time the wind just ripped through the lookout, this time so completely different. There was a propane cook stove and way more cooking implements. The view is one you will never forget!
Andrew S
VerifiedAugust 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA HORNET LOOKOUT
This was my first time at a fire lookout or similar. I did not know what to expect, but it was super cool! The drive was less intense than I was expecting from previous reviews, but still required going slow and being careful. Apple maps doesn’t get you there. Google Maps does. There are road signs along the way to follow. They are correct. There is a new outhouse. Two windows are broken out, but they are sealed from bugs. The fire extinguisher had been depleted prior to our arrival. We brought mouse traps, used all of them, and left them for the next visitors. We caught 5 in one night. You’ll want to bring sanitizer wipes for the table. There are many small items provided, most notable: axe, saw, broom, small shovel, 3 cots, stove, propane, and cookware. The cookware is in rough shape and I suggest bringing your own. We didn’t have a fire in the stove. The vent pipe cap was inside on the stove. Wildlife was abundant. Sunset/sunrise was phenomenal.
Location & Directions for Hornet Lookout
10 Hungry Horse Drive, P.O. Box190340, Hungry Horse, MT 59919 United States
Elevation: 1,953 ft
Getting There
From Columbia Falls, take Nucleus Avenue north through Columbia Falls and turn east on Railroad Street. At the stop sign, the road becomes the North Fork Road. Continue on North Fork Road for about 45 mi and over the railroad overpass. Turn left (...
From Columbia Falls, take Nucleus Avenue north through Columbia Falls and turn east on Railroad Street. At the stop sign, the road becomes the North Fork Road. Continue on North Fork Road for about 45 mi and over the railroad overpass. Turn left (west) on Whale Creek Road 318 and drive 4 mi, then turn right on the narrow Hornet Road 9805 and go 5.2 mi to the trailhead of Hornet Trail 349. Hike about a mile to the lookout.
Highway access
The nearest major road is US Highway 2, located approximately 25 miles south of the campground. Access to the campground is primarily via North Fork Road, which connects to local routes.
Nearby National Park
Polebridge Entrance
Approximate driving time: 26 min
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
2PM
Check out time
12PM
General
- There is a maximum stay of three consecutive nights with a total of seven days per calendar year.
- Water, electricity and sewer is not available at the cabin. A wood stove is available at the lookout, however wood is not provided. There is a hand saw provided at the lookout and wood can be gathered near the lookout.
- Use caution; Hornet Road 9805 is narrow, with few pullouts.
- Bears frequent the area; use appropriate containers for food and garbage.
- Please bring garbage bags; this is a 'pack-it-in, pack-it-out' facility.
- Contact the ranger district office at (406) 387-3800, during normal office hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for updates on weather and 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.
- In early to mid-summer, expect snow on the road preventing you from driving to the Lookout's trailhead. Be prepared to hike an extra distance.
- Refunds will not be given for inclement weather or road conditions.
- This is a remote cabin that may be unoccupied for extended periods of time. Mice may be present in cabin - there are supplies to trap mice and remove safely in cabin. Please do your part to help mitigate rodents by picking up food crumbs, cleaning thoroughly, and trapping mice if they are present.
- Cupula windows are seasonally shuttered in late September-early October for weather concerns.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 21, 2026
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