Double Arrow Lookout Tower- interior cabin looking northwest. Plenty of natural light shines through the windows, even on a cloudy day.
Double Arrow Lookout Tower- Interior looking northeast. A sleeping cot can be seen.
Double Arrow Lookout Tower- Catwalk facing North to Seeley Lake water body and Richmond Ridge Mountains. Cotton Candy colored clouds during sunset.

Double Arrow Lookout

Closed — Currently closed for winter. The lookout typically operates seasonally, with reservations available through Recreation.gov. High-clearance vehicles required for steep dirt and gravel access road.

R1-2024-01 Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region

It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.

R1-2025-01 Camping stay limits & prohibitions on pallets and refuse use for target shooting

This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within all national forests in Montana, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.

R1-2023-02 - NCDE Food and Wildlife Attractant Storage Order

Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order for the Flathead, Lolo, Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.

Order 01-15-00-25-01: Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear Wilderness Restrictions

Occupancy and Use and Trail Restrictions for the entire Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, as well as trail, stock, and camping restrictions on Our Lake Trail and lake area (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), beneath the Chinese Wall (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), and Castle Creek Riverside Campsite (Flathe

Deer Creek Bridge Closure - Superior Ranger District

Due to the recent weather event the Deer Creek Bridge on the Superior Ranger District was severely damaged and is unsafe for travel. For your health and safety please avoid travel in this area.

Ward Creek Road Closure- Superior Ranger District

Due to the recent weather event a portion of the Ward Creek Road is closed. For your health and safety please avoid travel in this area.

25-021-Lolo-D4 Stony Creek Cutoff Closure

The Stony Creek Cutoff Road (Road #5490) is closed for protection of Forest Service stock.

241-023-Lolo-D3 Plant Creek Road Closure

Motor vehicles are prohibited on a portion of Plant Creek Road, National Forest System Road 2132, due to damage following the Miller Peak Fire on the Missoula Ranger District.

About

Double Arrow Lookout provides a unique overnight experience in a historic fire lookout tower originally built in 1933. Staffed by Forest Service employees until the mid-1980s, the lookout was renovated in 2021-2022 and is now listed on the National Historic Lookout Register. The 14-by-14-foot living quarters sit atop a 20-foot tower accessed by an exterior stairway, with a covered catwalk surrounding the window-encased room offering 360-degree views of Seeley Valley and the adjacent Swan Mountains. The facility includes electricity for lights and heat, plus a cook stove and small refrigerator. Two single sleeping platforms and two portable cots accommodate up to four guests. An outdoor vault toilet is located a short distance from the tower. Guests must bring all bedding, cooking equipment, cleaning supplies, food, and water, as no water is available on-site. The steep dirt and gravel access road requires high-clearance vehicles. The surrounding Lolo National Forest offers excellent hiking, hunting, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Seeley Lake, located about 2 miles east, provides fishing, boating, and beach access. The nearby Clearwater River Canoe Trail offers a 3.5-mile paddle through prime birding and wildlife habitat. The area is home to elk, moose, deer, black bears, grizzly bears, bald eagles, and trumpeter swans.

Directions

From Seeley Lake, turn west on Riverview Drive halfway between mile markers 13 and 14. Drive 0.6 miles on paved road, crossing the Clearwater River. Continue another 0.6 miles to a split, staying straight. The road narrows and becomes rocky. Proceed almost 1 mile and turn right. After 0.2 miles, turn right again. Go another 0.2 miles and turn right on Forest Road 696. Continue 1 mile to the lookout gate. Proceed through the gate and drive 0.1 miles to the lookout. High-clearance vehicle required.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed No
Showers No
Electric Hookups Yes
Water Hookups No
Sewer Hookups No
Camp Store No
Price $75

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (406) 677-2233

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile Yes

Availability

Photos

Double Arrow Lookout Tower- interior cabin looking northwest. Plenty of natural light shines through the windows, even on a cloudy day.
Double Arrow Lookout Tower- Interior looking northeast. A sleeping cot can be seen.
Double Arrow Lookout Tower- Catwalk facing North to Seeley Lake water body and Richmond Ridge Mountains. Cotton Candy colored clouds during sunset.
Catwalk Southwest corner
Double Arrow Lookout- Facing West
looking east

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