Montana › Lewis and Clark County › Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Granite Butte Lookout

Open

Open year-round. Reservations available via Recreation.gov at $45/night. Winter access requires 4-5 mile ski or snowmobile from Stemple Pass. Roads may have winter conditions November through May. Food storage order in effect for bear country.

Notify on Availability Reserve

Flash Flood Warning issued July 22 at 9:25PM MDT until July 22 at 10:45PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

9:25 PM — 10:45 PM

At 925 PM MDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the Horse Gulch Burn Scar. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms in and around the Horse Gulch Burn Scar. SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges. IMPACT...Flooding of areas in and around the Horse Gulch Burn Scar. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Mainly rural areas of Northwestern Broadwater and Southeastern Lewis and Clark Counties.

About

Granite Butte Lookout is a historic fire lookout tower that was first built in 1932, rebuilt in 1962, and listed on the National Register of Historic Lookouts in 2008. Situated at 7,587 feet atop the Continental Divide, the 15x15 foot cabin sits on a 20-foot wooden tower offering spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, open meadows, whitebark pine stands, and abundant wildflowers. The lookout accommodates up to four guests and is equipped with one twin bed, three cots, a woodstove for heat, propane cook stove, propane lanterns, table, chairs, and basic dishes and silverware. There is no electricity or running water. A vault toilet is located near the tower. Guests must bring their own bedding, water, propane, dish soap, matches, garbage bags, and personal effects. A food storage order is in effect requiring secure storage of all bear attractants. Access requires a high-clearance vehicle for the final 1.5 miles on Granite Butte Road. During winter, Stemple Pass Road is plowed but visitors must ski or snowmobile the final 4-5 miles. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes directly by the lookout, offering unlimited hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities. Winter recreation includes cross-country skiing and access to over 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.

Directions

Located approximately 16 miles southeast of Lincoln, Montana. Take Stemple Pass Road #601 from downtown Lincoln at the blinking light for approximately 14 miles to the top of Stemple Pass. Turn onto Marsh Creek Road #485 and follow south approximately 3 miles to the junction with Granite Butte Road #4133. The final 1.5 miles to the lookout require a high-clearance vehicle. During winter, park at the plowed Stemple Pass cross-country ski area and ski or snowmobile the remaining 4-5 miles.