Idaho / Idaho County / Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Castle Butte Lookout

Closed — Closed for the winter season. Operates seasonally by reservation only through Recreation.gov. High-clearance 4x4 vehicle required.

About

Castle Butte Lookout is a unique historic fire lookout rental cabin situated on a rocky point at 6,659 feet above sea level in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. Originally constructed in 1916 and rebuilt in its current form in 1950, this L-4 cabin offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Seven Devils Mountains, the Great Burn area, and the deep canyons of the North Fork Clearwater River's upper drainages. The lookout accommodates up to 4 guests and features two twin beds with foam mattresses, two cots, a table with chairs, propane cook stove, propane lights, and a propane heater. A pit toilet is located in a separate building outside. Guests must bring their own water, as no water source is available on-site. The cabin requires a steep 100-foot walk up rocky terrain from the parking area. Access is via the historic Lolo Motorway, a primitive, single-lane road built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The area offers opportunities for hiking along the historic Lolo Trail used by the Nez Perce and Lewis and Clark expedition, OHV riding, wildlife viewing, and summer huckleberry picking. The lookout's remote location and elevation make it an ideal spot for stargazing and watching sunrises and sunsets over the surrounding wilderness.

Directions

From Missoula, MT: Take US Highway 12 west for 65 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 108, go 0.5 miles, then left onto Forest Service Road 566 (narrow and winding). Travel 1 mile to Forest Service Road 500 (Lolo Motorway), turn left. Travel west 18 miles, turn left onto Forest Service Road 561 and travel south 1.5 miles to the lookout. Estimated driving time: 3 hours. From Kooskia, ID: Take US Highway 12 east for 17 miles, turn left onto Forest Service Road 101. Travel 21 miles, slight right onto Forest Service Road 500 at Mex Mountain junction. Travel 33 miles, turn right onto Forest Service Road 561 and travel south 1.5 miles. Estimated driving time: 5 hours. All roads are gravel or dirt; high-clearance 4x4 vehicle required.

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