Weekend availability at Mission Lookout
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 18, 11:45 AM PTSold out 5 of the next 5 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.
- Fri, Sep 18Sold out
- Fri, Sep 25Sold out
- Fri, Oct 2Sold out
- Fri, Oct 9Sold out
- Fri, Oct 16Sold out
Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.
How booked is Mission Lookout?
as of September 18Weekends book out well ahead here — 4 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Oct, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Mission Lookout and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Even weekdays are booked.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 1
About this campground
Overview Mission Lookout towers above the forest canopy, providing guests with unrivaled 360-degree views of the beautiful Swan Range, Mission Mountains and Swan Lake. The site served for 75 years as a fire detection tower, and the current lookout has been around since its construction in 1959. The tower can be accessed by vehicle. A parking area is adjacent to the facility. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Will sleep up to 4 people. Dogs are NOT ALLOWED in the Lookout. Recreation Along with the spectacular scenery, the immediate area offers visitors an unlimited array of outdoor activities ranging from fishing and swimming at the nearby Swan Lake, to watching migratory waterfowl at the wildlife viewing area. Hunting is also popular not far from the lookout. Shooting within 150 yards of the Lookout or from/across roads is prohibited. A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails can be found in the area.Facilities The 15-by-15 facility sits atop a 40-foot tower. It is equipped with a built-in double bed and two folding cots, to accommodate up to four adults. The lookout also has a propane cooking stove, simple cooking utensils and a table with four chairs. A modern vault toilet, picnic area and fire ring are located at the base of the tower. No water or electricity is available. Guests should bring plenty of water, bedding, food, firewood, toiletries and a non-open flame light source, such as a battery-powered lantern, as candles are not allowed within the cabin. href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/flathead/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=67022&actid=101">Click here for more cabin details.Natural Features At an elevation of approximately 3,700 feet, the cabin affords views of Flathead National Forest, including the Mission Mountains and Swan Lake. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area. Nearby Attractions The town of Swan Lake, about 15 minutes away, has a general store with limited groceries and a restaurant.
Getting there
From Swan Lake, travel south on Highway 83 for 3 miles. Turn west onto Porcupine Creek Road 10229 (mile-marker 68). After passing Forest Road 9714, turn right onto Forest Road 9803 (2.2 miles after leaving the state highway). Continue on Forest Road 9803 for 1.4 miles, to a gate. The gate may be opened. If not, it can be opened with the same combination code as the tower. The tower and parking area are located just beyond the gate.
Activities
- FISHING
- WILDLIFE VIEWING
- HIKING
- CAMPING
- BIKING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Swan Guard StationFlathead National Forest2 mi
- Swan Lake CampgroundFlathead National Forest3 mi
- Swan Lake Swimming SiteFlathead National Forest3 mi
- Billy Garret Memorial Bridge AccessFlathead National Forest15 mi
- Graves CreekFlathead National Forest16 mi
- Devil's Corkscrew CampgroundFlathead National Forest17 mi
Never miss an opening at Mission Lookout
Popular Montana campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Mission Lookout around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.
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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.