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Monument Peak Lookout offers guests an impressive yet rustic room with a view. The lookout, built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is perched atop Monument Peak, boasting spectacular 360 degree views of the Little Belt Mountains. The lookout was once used to spot forest fires but was left unused since the 1970s. In 1999, the lookout was removed from its 50 foot pole, restored and placed on a short, solid foundation for public rental use. A high clearance vehicle is recommended, as the 2 miles of road leading up to the cabin are rough and rocky. During wet conditions the entie road may be muddy and often times slippery. The Lookout/Cabin is avaialble for rental between June 1 and Novemebr 30 and is closed for the remainder of the year .
Small and big game hunting is popular in the area. Hiking, OHVing and wildlife viewing are also enjoyed.
The rustic lookout has two beds with mattresses, two propane lanterns, a table and chairs and a propane cooking stove. Pots, pans, dishes and utensils are included but are limited. A vault toilet is about 100 feet from the structure. No water, electricity or plumbing is available. Recommended items to bring include drinking water, bedding, flashlights, food, small propane canisters, firewood, matches and a cooler. ( Click here ) for more cabin details.
The lookout sits at 7,395 feet in elevation, offering views of Monument Ridge and Strawberry Ridge. The surrounding region is a dense coniferous forest with fir, spruce and pine trees. Lewis and Clark National Forest has many miles of streams and fishing opportunities. Native wildlife includes black bears, mule-deer, white-tailed deer, elk, bald eagles, mountain lions and other species.
From Great Falls, go east on U.S. Highway 87/89 about 22 miles (just past Belt) and turn right (south) at the rest area onto U.S. Highway 89 (heading toward Monarch and Neihart). Go about 9.5 miles and turn right on County Road 340. Drive 8 miles to the junction with Road 349 and turn left (south), then drive 4.3 miles to Forest Road 839 and turn right (south). Go 8.5 miles and turn right on Road 268. Drive 3.5 miles to the lookout.
Snowmobiles, cross-country skis or snowshoes are required for access during most of the winter.
Really a great view from there. The road up very cool too. A bit rough in places, and narrow.
super cool spot! you will need a higher clearance vehicle to get up the road. the views are well worth the trip.
I've never seen so many flies in my life. There will literally be about 400 flies that will get into the lookout each day and will die in there by nightfall. You're not going to want to cook inside, you're really not going to want to sleep inside either due to the flies and the sounds of them in the attic (don't open that attic hatch, I imagine there are tens of thousands of dead flies up there). The bed inside is nasty as can possibly be, the mattress is old and decrepit with a makeshift nasty pool noodle topper that somebody put on top. It has all the earmarks of bed bug city - I doubt very much that most people would be brave enough to attempt to sleep on it.
There is very little shade around the lookout, but there are enough trees surrounding you to block 90% of the views. You will have to hike to find good lookout spots. There is no wildlife to speak of at the top, nor are there any huckberries within 2 miles of the lookout, so you won't have to worry about bears, unless you leave a bunch of food out to attract them. We saw one juvenile black bear 14 miles down the forest service road. One small bunny and one groundhog/marmot. Other than that just giant flies, bees and then tons of bats at night.
Firewood is abundant, there are lots of dead pines that are easy to tear apart, but you will have to hike dowhill about 75-100 yards and haul it back uphill. The winds shift a lot, so I built up the firepit on all sides to keep people from getting sprayed with embers as the winds shift. During the days there is no wind to speak of (that's when the flies come). In the evenings the winds pick up and whip through the clearing pretty good. There is a lot of light pollution from Great Falls, so astrophotography was challenging, but it is doable. The milky way was ever so slightly visible the nights I was there. Compared to other lookouts I've stayed at, I'd rate the views here at 4 out of 10. I would never come back to this lookout, but if I did, I would bring tents and avoid the inside of it altogether.
There is a trailhead for daisy spring which is 4 miles down an ORV trail (no vehicles over 50" wide on the trail). It is all downhill and when you get to the spring you will have to trudge through thick grass/brush to make your way down to it. It's not more than a small trickle of water, enough to wet yourself down with and prepare for the 4 mile hike back (all uphill). There are huckleberries about 2 miles down the trail and there are some decent, but very squat patches off the trail above/below. Each bushebmight yield 12-15 berries, so you can pick, but you will be squating low to get at them and it will take a significant amount of time to pick a gallons worth. There are also some patches of wild strawberries to be found along the sides of the trail on the way down to the spring.
Drive these unpaved roads at your own risk. Very bumpy in good weather, not a good idea in rain or snow. Beautiful vista's, camping space, trails would be fun on ATV.
