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Diamond Butte Lookout
FSU.S. Forest Service — ASHLAND · Montana · Custer Gallatin National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Custer Gallatin National Forest |
| Location | ASHLAND · Montana · Custer Gallatin National Forest · 45.24917, -105.93250 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 cabin nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 1 sites Water hookups at 0 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 2:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 1 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | CALL FOR COMBINATION PRIOR TO YOUR STAY - M-F 8:00 TO 4:30 CALL 406-784-2344. AFTER HOURS OR WEEKENDS CALL 406-740-1594. |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview Diamond Butte Lookout is perched atop a 30-foot masonry tower on Diamond Butte at an altitude of 4,245 feet in the Custer National Forest approximately 40 miles from Ashland, Montana. The lookout was moved from its original location of Yeager Butte in 1958 and was an active fire lookout until 2001.
Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. This vantage point offers the chance to enjoy sunrises, sunsets and star gazing on clear nights.
The lookout is accessible by car, but it is a 200-foot walk up a steep hill to the lookout from the parking area. Guests should be prepared to bring most of their own supplies and gear. Recreation You can enjoy hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking near the lookout. Opportunities are available to enjoy off-road vehicle riding and hunting. Facilities The lookout can accommodate 4 people and is furnished with a table, chairs and1 twin bed with mattress, a double futon with mattress and a cot. Propane appliances include a cook stove with an oven, lights and a heater. A few cooking and eating utensils are provided, along with a broom, mop and bucket.
Parking and an outhouse with a pit toilet are located at the gate 200 feet below the lookout. A wagon is stored in the lookout's basement to help haul gear.
Water and electricity are not available. Guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and washing.
Items such as 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 The lookout offers expansive views of the nearby hills and the distant Bighorn Mountains, which are about 100 miles away. Vegetation is sparse, but sagebrush and lupin thrive on the surrounding landscape.
Wildlife in the area includes fox, black bear, antelope and a variety of bird species ( bear safety ).
Directions, from the listing
From Ashland, Montana: travel east on State Highway 212 for approximately 3 miles. Turn south onto Otter Creek Road hwy 484 and travel 20 miles. Just past the Fort Howes Work Center, turn east onto Taylor Creek Road and travel 12 miles to Sonnette Divide Road. Turn north onto the Sonnette Divide Road for 2 miles then turn east on the Diamond Butte Lookout Road. Travel 1 mile to the lookout.
Nearest federal campgrounds
16 mi straight-line · MontanaFSU.S. Forest ServiceBlacks Pond Campground
19 mi straight-line · MontanaFSU.S. Forest ServiceRed Shale Campground
25 mi straight-line · MontanaFSU.S. Forest ServiceHoliday Spring Campground
27 mi straight-line · MontanaFSU.S. Forest ServiceWhitetail Cabin
27 mi straight-line · ASHLAND Montana
Trip Card — Diamond Butte Lookout
ASHLAND · Montana · Custer Gallatin National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | ASHLAND · Montana · Custer Gallatin National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234358 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.