🧯 Red Mountain Lookout
Kootenai National Forest · Fortine Ranger District
Opens in ~2 months
🏛️ Historic structure 1958
🏔️ 6,890 ft
Views of the Cabinet and Whitefish Ranges, Ten Lakes Scenic Area, and the Canadian border. Often less competitive than Swan Lake 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 4WD
🛣️ Access road
Forest Rd 3943, 12 miles from Fortine
📅 Season
July 1 – September 30
Road distance from town: ~12.0 mi unpaved
Booking
Reasonable availability compared to other MT lookouts.
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 double + 1 single + cots
🔥 Heating:Propane heater + wood stove
🍳 Cooking:Propane stove (provided)
💧 Water:None — carry all water
🚽 Privy:
Yes
📞 Phone:
📟 Landline to ranger district
🏗️ Structure:L-4 cab on 21-foot steel tower (1958)
⚠️ 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 and mountain lion. Occasional grizzly sightings in the area. Bear spray strongly recommended.
ℹ️ Notes
Landline telephone connects to Fortine RD. Propane fully stocked by district for each rental.
⛑️ 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 (no water at this site) ·
✅ Leave a trip plan with someone not going ·
✅ Bring a satellite communicator — no cell service at this location ·
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