Castle Butte Lookout

Star4.08
6 reviews
Fenn Ranger Station 831 Selway Rd, KOOSKIA, ID 83539, USA
Scenic ViewsPeace & QuietStargazing

Quick Facts

6,659 ft

Price

$45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open season is July ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Castle Butte Lookout (USFS) site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Castle Butte Lookout
$45.00 - $45.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Rates during peak season (July 31 - September 15, 2025) are $45 per night for the cabin. Additional reservation service fees apply: $8 online, $9 via...
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Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
208-926-4258
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What Campers Say

4.08

Satisfactory

Based on 6 reviews

10 Google reviews

Most mentioned

views

"User reviews indicate that Castle Butte Lookout is highly praised for its stunning views and rustic charm. However, there are consistent complaints about the poor condition of the access roads and occasional issues with cabin equipment."

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Campground Map

Fenn Ranger Station 831 Selway Rd, KOOSKIA, ID 83539, USA

Castle Butte Lookout

Fenn Ranger Station 831 Selway Rd, KOOSKIA, ID 83539, USA

Driving directionsDriving directions are detailed for access from Missoula, MT (3 hours, requiring high-clearance vehicles), Kooskia, ID (5 hours), and Kamiah, ID (4 hours). Roads are gravel or dirt, and access is challenging, especially on Forest Service Road 500 (Lolo Motorway), which requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles and careful navigation. Significant road damage and rough conditions were noted by users, such as the comment: 'Everything on FR 500 including the shortest route to Castle Butte is really really really bad.'
Access is via the Lolo Motorway, a primitive single-lane dirt road unsuitable for RVs, trailers, or vehicles with low ground clearance. Guests must be prepared for steep, rocky terrain for the final 100 feet to the lookout.
Nearby places
Missoula, MT (65 miles, approximately 3 hours)
Kooskia, ID (approximately 17 miles to the turnoff plus 33 miles on gravel roads, total 5 hours)
Kamiah, ID (approximately 1 mile plus gravel/dirt roads, total 4 hours).
Nearby supplies
Travelers are advised to bring sufficient gas, food, and water for their stay, as no services are available along the Lolo Motorway or near Castle Butte Lookout.

Best Time to Camp at Castle Butte Lookout

Summer transforms Castle Butte into a temperate paradise, with July and August bringing warm days and refreshingly cool evenings perfect for stargazing. Previous visitors have marveled at the crystal-clear night skies, where the Milky Way stretches across the darkness in brilliant detail. As autumn approaches, the lookout becomes increasingly remote, and winter's heavy snows eventually close this mountain sanctuary, preserving its wild character until the following summer.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5
Top 23% in ID

Summer is peak season; warm days, cool nights and clear Milky Way reports.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Autumn wildlife (elk bugling) noted, but site season window ends mid-Sept limiting fall access.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Open season begins July 31; spring access unlikely due to snow.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Site likely inaccessible in winter; open season excludes winter months.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: July 31 - September 15, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season is July 31 - September 15, 2025, during which reservations are required.
  • Current Alerts: Users reported poor road conditions on Forest Road 500, with high clearance and 4WD being mandatory.

About Castle Butte Lookout

High above the Idaho wilderness, Castle Butte Lookout stands as a sentinel at 6,659 feet, offering visitors an extraordinary escape into solitude and spectacular beauty. This historic cabin serves as your personal observatory, where the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness unfolds in every direction, revealing the jagged peaks of the Seven Devils Mountains and the dramatic canyons carved by the North Fork Clearwater River far below.
Castle Butte Lookout offers cabin-style lodging with rustic accommodations designed for self-sufficient guests. Tent, RV, and group camping options are not available.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
Check-out
Check-out is by 11:00 AM.
Stay Limit
Stay limit is 7 nights maximum.

Amenities available

Lodging and accommodations
Vault toilets
Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

Castle Butte Lookout offers a range of activities that emphasize nature and adventure. Guests can engage in hiking along the historic Lolo Trail or explore the Lolo Motorway, which is popular among off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Huckleberry picking is a unique seasonal activity during the summer. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with the possibility of spotting eagles, bears, moose, elk, deer, and mountain goats.
HikingHiking opportunities include trails following the paths of the Nez Perce and Lewis and Clark on the historic Lolo Trail. The trails cater to various interests, from historical exploration to natural scenery.
Wildlife viewingWildlife enthusiasts may spot eagles, bears, moose, elk, deer, and mountain goats. The rocky landscape and surrounding forests provide a unique environment for observing wildlife.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRough roads, steep and rocky terrain, and wildlife presence. User Perry C noted a propane leak in the stove as a safety hazard: 'It had such a bad leak when turned on it was unusable.'
Active AlertsUsers reported poor road conditions on Forest Road 500, with high clearance and 4WD being mandatory.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Castle Butte Lookout

Reviews

4.1
6 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Castle Butte Lookout is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews indicate that Castle Butte Lookout is highly praised for its stunning views and rustic charm. However, there are consistent complaints about the poor condition of the access roads and occasional issues with cabin equipment.
Review Summaries
Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects frequently mentioned include the panoramic views, cozy atmosphere of the lookout, and the opportunity to observe the Milky Way at night. Guests also appreciate the historical...
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Based on 6 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints center on the rough and treacherous condition of the access roads, which require high clearance and 4WD vehicles. Some reviews also mention malfunctioning propane equipment and the...
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Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Guests recommend bringing high-clearance 4WD vehicles, ample water, emergency lighting, and self-sufficient camping gear. One user advised avoiding Forest Road 500 due to its poor condition and...
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Based on 6 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the most favorable season for visiting, with guests enjoying huckleberry picking and clear views of the Milky Way. Winter accessibility issues are likely due to snow and adverse weather...
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Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Amazing views, the lookout was cozy. We hiked into Bald Mountain lake and fished and picked huckleberries.' - Brandi P. 2. 'The road in is in very bad shape. I rode this years ago but it is very...
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Based on 6 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Reviews do not provide specific feedback on individual campsites as the facility consists of a single cabin.
Based on 6 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility concerns include the steep, rocky terrain leading to the lookout, which may pose challenges for individuals with mobility impairments.
Based on 6 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed at Castle Butte Lookout, and guests are reminded to clean up after their pets. No issues or concerns regarding pets were raised in the reviews.
Based on 6 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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