🧯 Cold Mountain Lookout
Lolo National Forest · Superior Ranger District
Open through November 1
🏛️ Historic structure 1935
🏔️ 5,900 ft
One of the longest-season rentable lookouts in Montana. Views of the Clark Fork Valley and Cabinet Mountains. Early season access a rarity among MT lookouts.
Unknown access conditions today
Based on season, weather, wind, and snow. Scores update every 30 minutes.
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Access
🚗 Drive-to
High-clearance recommended
🛣️ Access road
Forest Rd 7787, 14 miles from Superior
📅 Season
May 15 – November 1
Road distance from town: ~14.0 mi unpaved
Booking
Longest season of MT lookouts due to lower elevation. Accessible in late spring and fall.
Booking window: 6 months rolling via recreation.gov
🎫 Reserve on recreation.gov →
PeakScout availability data may be delayed — always verify on recreation.gov before making plans.
Amenities & Gear
👥 Capacity:
Up to 4 people
🛏️ Beds:1 full bed + 2 cots
🔥 Heating:Wood stove
🍳 Cooking:Propane stove
💧 Water:Well (pump — check with district)
🚽 Privy:
Yes
📞 Phone:
None — satellite recommended
🏗️ Structure:Jacobs Type 1 cab on 14-foot cupola (1935)
⚠️ Bring your own water unless a reliable source is confirmed with the ranger district. Most MT lookouts have no water or unreliable cisterns.
🐻 Wildlife
Black bear common. Mountain lion territory. Deer and elk frequent the access road.
ℹ️ Notes
Well on property but may be dry or require purification. Bring emergency water supply.
⛑️ Before you go
✅ Check road conditions with the ranger district 24–48h before departure ·
✅ Carry bear spray and know how to use it ·
✅ Pack all water (source at site may be unreliable) ·
✅ Leave a trip plan with someone not going ·
✅ Bring a satellite communicator — no cell service at this location ·
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