Month: May 2020

Overview

Recreation

Facilities

Natural Features

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 48° 57′ 19.0001″ N

Longitude 114° 48′ 38.9999″ W

Overview

Webb Mountain Lookout is perched at 5,988 feet atop its namesake mountain in Kootenai National Forest. The lookout was built in 1959 and used as an observation
point for fighting forest fires for over 40 years. The structure rests on a concrete block basement and encompasses 196 square feet.

The lookout is accessible by car and the roads are well maintained; however, the last quarter mile of the access road is steep and rocky and not suited for low
clearance vehicles. This rustic cabin offers a few amenities, but guests should be prepared to pack in most of their own supplies and gear.

Recreation

The lookout is located in the Koocanusa Area, which offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Koocanusa Reservoir is the major recreation attraction in this
geographic area, providing ideal settings for large watercraft and sailing.

The reservoir contains a large and stable population of Kookanee salmon, rainbow trout, bull trout, West slope cutthroat trout and burbot. Big game hunting is also possible around the reservoir.

The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail is accessible from Webb Mountain. It descends the mountain and crosses Lake Koocanusa Bridge, meandering along the east
side of the Koocanusa Reservoir.

Facilities

The lookout cabin is surrounded by windows on all sides and is encircled by a catwalk. It can accommodate up to 5 people on 1 twin size bed with mattress and 4
additional mattresses. Other amenities include a wood stove, table, benches and cleaning gear.

An outhouse is located nearby and a campfire ring is provided at the base of the tower. Firewood is available.

Water and electricity are not available. Guests need to bring their own water supply for drinking, cooking and washing.

Items such as a cook stove, cooking gear, bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, towels and an ice
chest are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.

Natural Features

This lookout has many nice locations to enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery, which includes views of Koocanusa Reservoir and Mount Henry. Mountain peaks stretch out as far
as the eye can see, and the surrounding area is covered in mixed evergreen forest. From this altitude, guests can enjoy beautiful sunrises and sunsets and starry skies
at night.

Kootenai National Forest supports populations of deer, elk, moose, grizzly and black bears, wolves and mountain lions (bear safety). A variety of smaller mammals and birds can also be found.

Nearby Activities

• Boating
• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Hunting
• Wildlife viewing
• Fire lookouts/cabins overnight

Gallery

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Directions

From Eureka, Montana, take Highway 37 south 15 miles to the Koocanusa Bridge. At the west side of the bridge, turn right on Road 92 and proceed to Boulder Creek Road 337. Turn left and follow approximately 8 miles to Webb Mountain on Road 7179. At the ridge crest, turn left. The gate to the lookout is visible at this point.

The lookout is about 1 mile beyond the gate, and the last quarter mile is rough; vehicles with good clearance are recommended. Combination opens both the gate and cabin door.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 48° 49′ 5.2000″ N

Longitude 115° 20′ 37.9000″ W

Overview

McGuire Mountain Lookout was originally constructed in 1923 and was actively used as an observation point for detecting forest fires for over 20 years before it was abandoned around 1944. The structure was later renovated between 1983 and 1998 and is now available for rent for up to four people.

McGuire Mountain is located approximately 14 miles southwest of Eureka. Access to the lookout requires a 2.5 mile hike from the parking area at Little Sutton Mountain; visitor arrival is dependent on road and weather conditions.

Recreation

Backpacking opportunities abound in the area surrounding McGuire Mountain. Take trail #446 past the lookout and enjoy many more miles of scenic views.

A day trip to Koocanusa Reservoir offers visitors the option of biking, fishing, hiking or boating around the lake. Trail #90, which starts just off of the Koocanusa Reservoir on Hwy 37, follows McGuire Creek closely for a scenic hike along the water.

Because the McGuire Lookout is surrounded by windows on top of one of the area’s tallest summits (almost 7,000 feet), visitors have the best views of the sunrise and sunset over the surrounding cabinet mountains.

Facilities

The lookout is a 12 x 12 foot wood-frame cabin with a pyramidal-shaped roof. On top of the roof there is a pyramidal-shaped cupola and a wooden ladder inside the cabin leading up to it. Windows completely surround the structure, providing a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.

The rustic-style cabin is not wired for electricity. The main room is equipped with a modern wood stove, 2 twin size bed boards (no mattresses), a table, a bench, a shovel, a bucket and cleaning gear. Firewood is provided, but the supply cannot be guaranteed.

There is no water available at the lookout and water sources in the area are limited. There is a toilet provided outside the lookout. Guests are advised to bring plenty of their own drinking water.

In addition to water, several supplies are needed to ensure a comfortable stay. Sleeping bags and pads, cooking equipment, toilet paper, lanterns, food supplies and matches are recommended.

Natural Features

The McGuire Mountain Lookout is located in the Rexford Ranger district within the Koocanusa Area, which is primarily centered along the narrow 90-mile Koocanusa Reservoir, formed by the Libby Dam.

The Koocanusa Reservoir is the major recreation attraction in the area and contains a large and stable population of Kookanee salmon, Kamloops (rainbow) trout, bull trout, West slope cutthroat trout and burbot.

The Koocanusa Area is the perfect setting for year round recreational attractions, including: fishing, water sports, rock and ice climbing, and driving for pleasure, especially during the fall Western Larch color change.

Nearby Attractions

Two paved highways running adjacent to the reservoir and extending from Eureka to Libby have been designated by the Forest Service as a Scenic Byway.

Traffic is light and views along the roadways are memorable, including glimpses of the Ural-Tweed Big Horn Sheep herd, located on the eastern side of the reservoir along Hwy 37.

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Hiking
• Hunting
• Wildlife viewing
• Fire lookouts/cabins overnight

Gallery

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Directions

Access depends on weather conditions. The road is normally plowed within 14 miles of the cabin.

McGuire Mountain is located approximately 14 miles southwest of Eureka and may be reached by taking Othorp Lake Road 854. Stay on this road to Pinkham Creek Road 856 and continue for approximately 13 miles. Turn and follow Sutton Ridge Road 494 west to Little Sutton Mountain, where you will see a sign marking the beginning of the lookout trail.

Park all vehicles and continue from the trailhead to your destination approximately 2.5 miles up trail #446.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 48° 41′ 0.4801″ N

Longitude 115° 12′ 9.5400″ W

Overview

North Dickey Lake Campground is a beautiful campground next to scenic Dickey Lake and several hiking and mountain biking trails. It’s conveniently located off the main highway and provides a secluded location for outdoor enjoyment. A day use area is located at South Dickey Day use area, on the opposite side of the lake.

Recreation

The adjacent lake provides ample opportunity for boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing. Anglers can expect a catch of kokanee salmon, kamloop and rainbow trout. A grassy beach is also available at South Dickey Day Use area, a popular swimming area on the lake.

A variety of hiking trails begin in the area, including the accessible, half-mile Dickey Lake Overlook Trail, which is also open to mountain biking. It leads to a viewing platform with nice views of the lake. Another trail heads from the campground to Mt. Marston.

Educational programs are offered throughout the summer. A general store, with fuel and groceries, is located about 3 miles to the north and a small restaurant and coffee shop are located about 2 miles to the west of the campground.

Facilities

The campground offers 24 sites for tent and RV camping, but only five (5) sites can be reserved. The rest are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided, but utility hookups are not available. Parking surfaces are gravel.

A dump station is available just north of Eureka on Highway 93, behind a gas station.

Natural Features

The campground is located in northwestern Montana on a hillside next to the 800-acre lake. It is nestled in a forest of larch and fir trees at an elevation of about 3,100 feet.

In the spring and early summer, the sound of the loon can often be heard from the campground.

Nearby Attractions

The campground is 20 miles from the United States-Canadian border, and 65 miles from the entrance to Glacier National Park.

Nearby Activities

• Biking
• Boating
• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Water sports
• Swimming site

Gallery

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Directions

From Eureka, travel south on Highway 93 for approximately 13 miles to Fortine. Continue south on Highway 93 for over a mile to the campground.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 48° 43′ 9.4001″ N

Longitude 114° 49′ 59.9999″ W

Overview

McGregor Lake Campground is located approximately 53 miles southeast of Libby, Montana, on Highway 2 at the west end of McGregor Lake in the Kootenai National Forest.

This area is about halfway between Libby and Kalispell in the heart of the Thompson Chain of Lakes, a premier fishing and hunting area.

Recreation

McGregor Lake is host to a prime mackinaw trout population and offers excellent opportunities for a trophy-size catch. There is a boat ramp on-site for access to the lake. Swimming and water skiing are also popular activities.

Hikers can walk the 2.9-mile McGregor Lake Shoreline Trail.

Facilities

The campground has 27 sites, including one host site, all with tables and fire rings. Most sites offer an average length of 32 feet. Vault toilets, garbage service and drinking water are available during the peak season. The campground campsites are not currently on the reservation system.

The reservable group site is available for large groups, this site is a 120′ x 140′ gravel parking area. Tables and fire ring are located within the site. Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov

Day use picnic sites with tables and fire rings are located near the beach.

Natural Features

At an elevation of 3,900 feet, the campground is nestled among young pines at the west end of McGregor Lake in the Fisher River Area. The lake spans 1,240 acres, making it the largest lake in the Kootenai National Forest.

The Fisher River Area is the watershed formed by the four forks (West, East, Silver Butte, Pleasant Valley) of the Fisher River and Wolf Creek. Within it is
the Thompson Chain of Lakes, which consists of more than 20 lakes.

Nearby Activities

• Boating
• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Wildlife viewing
• Motel

Gallery

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Directions

From Libby, MT, take US Route 2 east 53 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign and go 0.2 miles to campground.

An alternate route is to take US Route 2 west from Kalispell, MT, for 32 miles to campground entrance.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 48° 1′ 54.9998″ N

Longitude 114° 54′ 7.9999″ W

Overview

Rexford Bench Recreation Area is the most highly developed camp area within the Kootenai National Forest. Rexford Bench Campground has 54 sites, 35 are first come-first serve and 19 can be reserved. Kamloops Terrace has 20 sites and additional overflow parking. A high and low water boat ramp is available. A day use area with swimming beach completes this popular area. It is a popular destination for boating, fishing and swimming on Lake Koocanusa, and hiking in the surrounding forest. Beautiful sandstone formations can be viewed not far from the campground, and osprey and eagles can often be seen fishing in the reservoir.

Recreation

Fishing, boating and swimming are popular activities. Fishing derbies are held several times each year and anglers can expect a catch of kokanee salmon, whitefish and a variety of trout, among others.

A variety of hiking trails begins in the campground, including a relatively short interpretive trail that loops around the campground, and the Hoodoo Trail, that leads to impressive sandstone formations that jut out from an inlet along the lake. The Hoodoos can also be seen via boat. Several paths lead from the campground to the adjacent beach, boat ramp and overflow parking area.

Facilities

The campground offers dozens of accessible, single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A large overflow parking area is available for boat trailers and RVs.

Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided, but utility hookups are not available. Campground roads and campsite spurs are paved. A campground host is on-site.

Natural Features

The campground is located on an arm of Lake Koocanusa in northwest Montana near the Canadian border. The 46,500-acre reservoir has over 127 miles of shoreline and is formed by 422′ Libby Dam on the Kootenai River, which stretches about 90 miles and into Canada. It is a large campground, situated in a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 2,470 feet.

Osprey often fish around Libby Dam at sunset, making for enjoyable viewing opportunities. Bald eagles can be seen hunting kokanee in the river and lake during the fall. A variety of wildlife also makes its home in the area.

Nearby Attractions

The Kootenai River, below Libby Dam, is a blue ribbon fishery. Guided tours of the dam and powerhouse are offered at the visitor center throughout the summer. Visitors also enjoy driving the 100-mile loop around the reservoir. Several trails, including some that lead to scenic waterfalls, are located along the route.

Nearby Activities

• Boating
• Camping
• Interpretive programs
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Water sports
• Swimming site

Gallery

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Directions

From Eureka, travel west on Highway 93 for about a mile, then continue 6 miles south on Highway 37.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 48° 53′ 58.2500″ N

Longitude 115° 9′ 27.4702″ W

Portions of this sprawling mountain range are located in Meagher, Judith Basin, Cascade, and Wheatland counties. It is surrounded by predominantly treeless foothills of prairie and sagebrush steppe. The Little Belts Geographic Area is bisected north-south by the Kings Hill scenic byway (US Highway 89) along which the small communities of Niehart and Monarch reside. Most of the Little Belts can be described as remote but accessible by a well distributed transportation network.

More information on the Little Belt Mountains

Bears may frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating. Mandatory food storage is required.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

Overview

Explore a magnificent recreation and wildlife resource at the doorstep of Montana’s Capital City. From prairie to alpine, mayflies to mountain goats, and scenic driving to expert climbing routes — the Elkhorns you will discover a diverse landscape!

Built in 1941, Strawberry Cabin lies at the top of Strawberry Butte (6,100 feet) in the heart of the Elkhorn Mountains. The combination of lookout and log cabin are typical of this period. The cabin is an excellent example of a C-46 one room cabin plan, which was designed by William Fox. This cabin style is one of the standard building plans used for housing personnel working at intermediate stations and at lookouts. The C-46 design offers distinctive characteristics of ventral saddle notches and log ends finished in "chopper cut" style, which symbolizes rustic Forest Service log architecture of the second half of the 1930 and early 1940s.

Recreation

The area offers great access to the north end of the Elkhorn Mountains with numerous hiking trails and roads leading to the Elkhorn’s historical resources. Popular hikes include Strawberry Creek, Casey Peak, and Willard Creek.

When snow allows, cross country skiing or snowshoeing gives visitors an up-close look at concentrations of wintering elk.

Facilities

Strawberry Cabin is designed for up to four guests. One portion of the cabin has two twin beds, all with mattresses. The kitchen is equipped with a small table and two chairs, dishes, utensils, cookware, with a Coleman stove and lights. The cabin has a wood stove. The cabin is not wired for electricity. Fuel is not provided for the propane stove or lanterns, so guests should bring a couple of small propane cylinders, as well as backup lighting.

An outhouse with vault toilet is located on-site. A picnic table and campfire ring offer comfortable outdoor dining. Firewood is typically stocked and stored outside in the woodshed from September 1 through May 31. No firewood is provided from June 1st – August 31. An axe and snow shovel are provided.

There is no water on site, so guests must bring a sufficient supply for drinking, cooking and washing. Guests should bring their own sleeping bags, lanterns or flashlights, towels, dish soap, matches, and garbage bags. All garbage must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.

A fire lookout tower sits next to the cabin. This is one of the few metal lookout structures in the area and was built in the 1940s. The lookout is not open to the public and is no longer an active lookout.

Natural Features

The Elkhorn Mountains span both Broadwater and Jefferson counties, with the nearest city being Helena, Montana. The Elkhorns are surrounded by the Divide Mountains and Boulder Batholith to the west, and the Missouri and Boulder River valleys on the north, east, and south. The form of the Elkhorn Mountains is rounded and furrowed from extensive weathering. Drainages have carved steep gulches and canyons. The majority of the Elkhorns (north, west, southwest) is a part of a batholith. This geologic history has left the area rich in minerals. Evidence of glaciation is localized with boulder strewn areas of granitic rocks. The remaining approximate quarter (southwest) of the geographic area is underlain by sedimentary rock that lacks the same mineralization as the batholith but is rich in calcareous rock. The landforms are rugged, low mountains with hogback ridges and dry valleys.

The sedimentary geologic area in the east is a gradient of foothill prairie and partially forested low mountains. Grassland is a major component. Limber pine and juniper woodland ebb and flow through this prairie landscape.

The plant communities on the batholith portion are mostly forested with conifers. Aspen stands and water-loving plants take advantage of riparian areas and wet seeps. Parks, rich with grasses and forbs, are frequent at lower elevations and break up the forest in montane elevations. A large expanse of this area burned in 1988.

The Elkhorns have been occupied by human inhabitants for thousands of years. However, prehistoric occupation is less evident than the more recent Euro-American settlement. After the discovery of valuable mineral deposits, mines and associated settlements sprang up in portions of the geographic area and remnant tools and infrastructure of the mining era are still evident. Strawberry Lookout, Eagle and Tizer Guard Stations are living reminders of Forest Service history in the area.

Fire has historically has been a major influence to plant communities. A large forest fire in 1988 burned almost 50,000 acres of the mountain range, leaving carpets of seedlings growing into new lodgepole pine forests.

Due to the rich wildlife habitats throughout the mountain range, the Elkhorns were designated a Wildlife Management Unit in 1986, the first of its kind in the nation. Collaborative groups composed of federal, state, and private land holders work toward habitat restoration and interpretation of the area’s history.

Nearby Attractions

The Elkhorn Mountains are an island mountain range that provide open space, clean water and diverse animal and plant communities. The Elkhorns also provide livelihoods and places to hunt and recreate for the citizens in the surrounding communities and beyond. About 160,000 acres within the Elkhorn Mountains is managed by both the Helena and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests as a Wildlife Management Unit, the only one of its kind in the entire National Forest System. In addition, there is another 75,000 acres of foothills that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management as an Area of Critical Environment Concern.

Nearby Activities

• Camping

Gallery

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Directions

Located about 15 miles south of Helena. From Interstate 15, take exit 187 for Montana City/MT-518. East on Jackson Creek road for 0.5 miles. Turn right/south onto Johns St (Papa Rays Pizza) and continue onto McClellan Creek road for four miles. Turn right/south onto Warm Springs Creek/Strawberry Lookout Rd and proceed 1.7 miles. Turn right/west onto the Strawberry Lookout Rd, proceed 1 mile to the cabin. NOTE: From October 15th through May 15th the road is closed to motorized vehicles for the last 1 mile so access is walk-in only. Snow conditions only allow driving to within about a mile of the turn to Strawberry Lookout road, thus requiring about 2-3 miles of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Snowmobiling is not allowed in this area.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 46° 28′ 32.0002″ N

Longitude 111° 54′ 55.0001″ W

Interpretive Site

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 48° 18′ 42.8760″ N

Longitude 113° 20′ 39.4080″ W

Located 30 miles west of Augusta, Van Deriet offers 6 sites with a variety of amenities close to the airport.  There is no vehicle access and is not handicapped accessible.  This site is mainted with the help of the MT Aeronautic Division.

Bears may frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating. Mandatory food storage is required.

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Hunting
• Picnicking

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 47° 28′ 32.0000″ N

Longitude 112° 51′ 59.0000″ W