Granite Butte Lookout Tower

By Jaime Jennings, CDTC Office Manager

While many know and love a section or day hike, did you know you can actually stay in a historic fire tower perched right on the trail? Best of all, you can drive straight to it! The Granite Butte Lookout Tower sits along the CDT at northbound mile 2,717.25 south of Lincoln, Montana and north of Helena. This rustic, off-grid gem sleeps up to four people and is available to rent for just $35 a night via Recreation.gov.

Recently, while in Helena for Continental Divide Trail Coalition board meetings, my coworker Allie McCurry (our Annual Giving and Corporate Partnership Manager) and I had the chance to spend a night here. The tower is accessed via a dirt road that turns rugged for the final 1.5 miles, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. We drove right up to the base—a major plus, given that you need to haul in your own bedding, food, and water. While there’s no electricity, the tower features a two-burner propane stove, a pit toilet, and a cozy woodstove with firewood provided.

Upon arrival, the tower was securely shuttered, so our first order of business was removing a few panels to unlock the view. As you would expect from a historic lookout, the 360-degree vistas are simply stunning. With the CDT winding directly below, it’s a dream spot for watching wildlife, stars, the sunset and sunrise.

Perched at 7,587 feet in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, the Granite Butte Lookout Tower was originally constructed in 1932, rebuilt in 1962, and renovated recently in 2016. Inside, it still houses a historic Osborne Firefinder, which was fascinating to learn about and attempt to use. With a couple of hours of daylight remaining, Allie and I hiked south along the CDT. After traversing a high-elevation valley above the treeline, the trail dipped into a lush, magical forest. It was my very first time on the CDT in Montana, and it left me eager to return!

The Granite Butte Lookout Tower is open for bookings year-round, though winter stays require a 4-mile trek via skis or snowshoes along the CDT. Staying here is a fantastic way to experience the trail. You can stay cozy inside, yet are surrounded by the high alpine views the CDT is famous for.

Getting There

The lookout is about a 48-minute drive from Lincoln or 1 hour and 10 minutes from Helena. A high-clearance vehicle is required for the final 1.5 miles. Alternatively, you can park before the rough section and hike in the remaining distance—just be sure to pack in all your own drinking water! Reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov.

About Helena

Helena, Montana, is the state capital and a CDT Gateway Community since [??], with several easy access points to the Continental Divide Trail. Nestled in a valley, Helena boasts great restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries—the perfect place to recharge before or after an adventure on the trail!

The Helena Valley was a transitional zone for a number of Native American Tribes, including the Blackfeet, the Salish, the Crow, and the Bannock, with archaeological evidence indicating that people have been in the area for over 12,000 years. More recently, the Lewis and Clark expedition also crossed the valley while following the upper Missouri River in both 1805 and 1806. In recent years, agriculture in the valley and outdoor recreation in the mountains, rivers, and nearby Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest have continued to grow and shape Helena.

Jaime grew up in Colorado but didn’t begin exploring its beautiful landscapes until her 30s. Since then, she’s fully embraced running, hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing across Colorado and beyond. After founding and running a successful craft retail store in Denver from 2006 to 2021, Jaime sold it to dedicate her skills to her growing passion for the outdoors. In 2022, she completed a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail, further sparking her love for the CDT. Jaime is thrilled to now be part of the CDTC team, preserving and promoting one of the country’s most stunning long trails.