Yaak Mountain Lookout
Yaak Mountain Lookout
 Yaak Lookout
Lookout Interior

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Fire Pit Fire Pit

About Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental

Yaak Mountain Lookout rests atop its namesake peak at an elevation of 5 ft within the Rocky Mountains in the Kootenai National Forest. The lookout tower has been used as an observation point for spotting forest fires since 1958. The lookout is typically open from mid-June through late September. Access is available via primitive roads, and high clearance vehicles are recommended. This rustic retreat offers a few amenities, but guests will need to bring most of their own gear and supplies.

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 closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Connectivity and Media

Connectivity and Media

  • Cell Reception
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Fire Pit
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Propane

Views and Setting

  • View
Missing information?

001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

$55
/ per night
🏠 Cabin
  • 4 guests
  • Pet Friendly

Site Details

Up to 4 guests
Surface: Gravel
Driveway entry: Pull-through
Campfire
Pet Friendly
View Site Details

Reviews (69)

What Guests Are Saying

Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental offers a fantastic experience with exceptional views and a sense of privacy, making it a real treat for visitors. The lookout is well-maintained, clean, and furnished, with comfortable beds and easy access, despite some steep stairs. While there are minor issues like smoke in the area and occasional outhouse supplies shortages, overall, guests highly recommend the lookout for its stunning surroundings and memorable stays.

Review Summary

4.6
69 reviews
5
69.6%
48
4
21.7%
15
3
8.7%
6
2
0.0%
0
1
0.0%
0

Jason H

Verified

September 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

5

This is my first lookout rental, but I suspect this is an unusually stellar example in the system. You can drive to the base of the lookout, the road is in very good shape, I have a low clearance crossover. Last 1/2 mi is a little rougher. I would carry a handsaw or chainsaw just in case a tree fell across the road because you are 5 mi solo beyond a locked gate, and it’s unlikely anyone else will be along. Nice direct vent propane heater to take the chill off. There’s a propane 4 burner stove with oven and a single propane light fixture that takes a burn-off mantle, a spare mantle would be a good thing to bring next time. These are supplied by a large fixed tank on the ground. The tower is 40 ish feet tall and timber, so expect some swaying in a moderate wind. 2 good mattresses, and 2 additional thinner ones. No bedding provided. What a historic gem, thank you to the volunteers and USFS who keep places like this accessible!

China W

Verified

August 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

5

This lookout is a gem! Road is very accessible up, the pulley helps with getting gear to the top, and the lookout was well equipped. The views are outstanding. We did have a critter making trips on the stairs at 4 AM. Bonus points if you can book this one on a full moon/ eclipse!

Joseph L

Verified

August 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

5

Weather was beautiful, view was perfect, aside from a little smoke. Definitely worth doing......one thing for future users, the door into the lookout at the top of the steps is pretty heavy and needs a good push to get open.

Will definitely go again

Edward W

Verified

September 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

5

What a real treat absolutely fantastic wish there was no smoke in the area but it is a fire lookout. The privacy is amazing just a real treat

Edward W

Verified

September 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

5

What a real treat absolutely fantastic wish there was no smoke in the area but it is a fire lookout. The privacy is amazing just a real treat

Edward W

Verified

September 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

5

What a real treat absolutely fantastic wish there was no smoke in the area but it is a fire lookout. The privacy is amazing just a real treat

Robert C

Verified

August 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

4

We had a great visit to the lookout. I liked the new view after the wildfires and previous logging activities opened the ridge views and the Kootenai valley.

Robert C

Verified

August 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

4

We had a great visit to the lookout. I liked the new view after the wildfires and previous logging activities opened the ridge views and the Kootenai valley.

Robert C

Verified

August 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

4

We had a great visit to the lookout. I liked the new view after the wildfires and previous logging activities opened the ridge views and the Kootenai valley.

Rob B

Verified

July 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA YAAK MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL

5

Exceptional condition, beautiful views, and easy access. Despite the steep stairs, the lookout was incredible. Impressively clean and well furnished. The drive was easy and even though a forest fire has ripped through the area, it was absolutely gorgeous. The good cell coverage was a blessing and a curse. All in all, this is one of the best lookouts I've visited.

Location & Directions for Yaak Mtn. Lookout Rental

Three Rivers Rd 12858 Us Hwy. 2, Troy, MT 59935-8750 United States

Elevation: 1,508 ft

Nearest town

Troy, MT - 12 mi

About 34 min to downtown

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

  • Guests must confirm the lock combination before arrival.
  • Check-in and check-out time is at 2:00 PM.

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Utilities

  • Guests need to bring their own water for all uses.

Safety & rules

  • Guests must clean the cabin and pack out all trash and food before leaving.
  • Guests are responsible for cleaning the facility before and after their stay; no cleaning is provided between visits.

Vehicles & parking

  • Access road to the lookout is gated; use the provided combination to unlock and drive 5.3 miles to the lookout.

Accessibility

  • Access to the property may be affected by weather conditions.

Site capacity

  • Guests can stay for a maximum of 5 consecutive days and must take a 7-day break before making another reservation.

General

  • Learn more about the Kootenai National Forest

Fires & fuel

  • Guests should not move firewood; obtain it locally to prevent pest spread.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 21, 2026

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Explore Troy, MT

Population: 871

Nearby city: Coeur d'Alene, ID

Approx. 73 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,913 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service