Big Hole Lookout
Big Hole Lookout is a decommissioned US Forest Service fire lookout located in the Lolo National Forest approximately 13 miles northwest of Plains, Montana in Sanders County. On April 29, 2009, Big Hole Lookout was added to the National Historic Lookout Register.[1]
History and construction
[edit]Big Hole Lookout is a 14'x14' (196 ft²) Grange-Hall type lookout built in 1930.[2] The lookout was seasonally staffed by the US Forest Service from 1930 until 1972, when it was abandoned. After decades of abandonment volunteers finished restoring the building in 2017.[3] Big Hole Lookout was made available for public rental in 2021, for $45 a night.
Geography and location
[edit]The Lookout is located in the Thompson/Plains Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest. The lookout sits just southeast of Big Hole Peak at an elevation of 6,922 ft (2,110 m)[3][4]
Access
[edit]The only way to access Big Hole Lookout is via the Big Hole Lookout Trail, a 3-mile hike or horseback ride from the trailhead.[2][3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Big Hole Lookout | National Historic Lookout Register". nhlr.org. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ a b "Recreation.gov".
- ^ a b c "Lolo National Forest | Big Hole Lookout | Forest Service". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ "Big Hole Peak · Montana 59873". Big Hole Peak · Montana 59873. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- National Register of Historic Places in Sanders County, Montana
- Lolo National Forest
- United States Forest Service architecture
- United States Forest Service firefighting
- Fire lookout towers on the National Register of Historic Places in Montana
- Towers completed in 1930
- 1930 establishments in Montana
- Government buildings completed in 1930