Sooooo beautiful at Cougar Peak! We saw a meteor shower, as well as colorful sunrises and sunsets. If you go, definitely hike out to Graves Peak and Vermillion Pass! You can hike beyond the pass to Mt. Headley or Slide Rock Mtn trail, if you are feeling motivated. The area did burn last fall in the Thorne Creek fire, but is still absolutely gorgeous. The forest service gate is approx. 2 miles below the lookout, but that didn't keep a big group of people from hiking up to the lookout while I was up there...... just something to be aware of! The lookout itself was very clean and very well taken care of - great job, USFS folks! There is a new vault toilet near the lookout, which is a very nice improvement! No screens on the windows to the lookout, so lots of flies if the windows were opened. It's fairly difficult to score a reservation for this lookout, so I was grateful that it worked out!

The Forest Service put in some nice new furniture and the lookout is in great shape. It was very clean when we arrived. Thanks to all who help make this experience happen.

The lookout was beautiful and comfy. We really enjoyed our stay.

(This comment has been passed on to the Lolo National Forest.) A large wildfire came close to wiping out this lookout in 2018 (I think the year is correct.) A significant amount of burned area can be seen from the lookout. There is an excellent opportunity for the Forest Service to educate the public with a small booklet or info sheet in the lookout regarding this wildfire. I have stayed here several times over the past 10 years or so and have enjoyed it immensely. It has significant nostalgia for me since I staffed this lookout during the summer of 1966. I am very grateful that the Forest Service has maintained these facilities for public use.

Great spot and I like that there is a gate on the way up.

We loved the rock art, haven't seen that at the other lookouts we've visited. A stay at Cougar Peak is a good lesson on how quickly life returns after a fire. The lookout itself was cleaner and in better repair that others we have stayed. Now that renting lookouts has been 'discovered,' it would be a good idea to require an IQ test to those wanting to rent them.