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Custer Gallatin National Forest › Bozeman Ranger District › Montana
› Gallatin County
› Bozeman
› Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout
› Campsite #1
Campsite #1 at Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout, MT
$65
Cabin Site #1
| Walk-In | 15 people |
| 0 | good |
5/18
7/9
Campsite #1 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Cabin Site
Campsite Reviews (25)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 84% |
| 4 star | | 12% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 4% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@RayH7794737 · Camped on Apr 20, 2025 at Campsite #1
We loved everything about this cabin, except the hantavirus warnings. The car gate was locked on Storm Castle rd, likely due to it being muddy, so that added a couple km to our hike. We walked up the footpath, reaching the snowline about half way up. There we donned show shoes, and that worked good other than across the final long switchback section where the narrow trail crossed the steep sidehill with drifting over the trail making for some perilous moments, but that just made it more memorable. We made it up in about 4 hours, and even without the post-holing that effort was pretty exhausting. The cabin, the stove, and the woodshed were great. We brought up some propane for cooking, but there was already at least 10 leftover canisters there. Anyway, we didnt need the cabins propane stove for cooking because we just cooked simple foods right on top of the wood burning stove. The kids did lots of sledding on the monster snow slope down the north side. 15-cm new powder overnight made us very happy that we had snow shoes. Now, it has been a week since we departed the cabin, and none of us have come down with hantavirus yet, so all looks good.
@EilisR142364F0 · Camped on Dec 21, 2024 at Campsite #1
We had heard this fire lookout cooled down quickly at night but we were surprised at how well it held the heat of the fire given all of its windows. The cabin area is small, maybe 12x12, with just 2 people it felt like the perfect size. Would feel small with 4 people. It had more than we needed and provided a grate reprieve from the roaring winds outside. Low snow but was still skiable from the rat lake trailhead. Saw wolf and moose tracks.
@SarahH2673287 · Camped on Dec 17, 2024 at Campsite #1
The cabin is beautiful and well equipped.
@PatrickB523191 · Camped on Dec 3, 2024 at Campsite #1
An absolutely wonderful location and place to stay for a few days, even in the winter! The main hiking trail was manageable, with snow covering it the entire way up. We only had one visitor, and they were very respectful. Definitely plan on returning at some point.Of note for amenities and supplies available at the time of this review: there were at least 4 full and 2 partially full Coleman gas canisters available on the stove. While I would certainly bring another canister to replace the supply you use, just know there are many already there. If you are particular about clean utensils/dishes for eating, I would bring some type of soap/cleaning products to use as there were not any up there. Overall, well supplied.
@BeccaM33F1F247 · Camped on Jun 26, 2024 at Campsite #1
We had an awesome night on Garnet Mtn watching a few storms roll in - unlike any thunderstorms weve ever experienced! The hike in was a steady climb but well maintained trail until the last .8 of a mile which is 4x4 road and not nearly as fun to walk on. The cabin was cozy, well stocked, and had incredible views in every direction. Only thing that sucked was how disgusting the outhouse was - it was the picture perfect place to get hantavirus so we just didnt even use it. Hopefully USFS can get it cleaned out at some point for future guests. Otherwise we had an amazing experience and hope to get back up there again some day!
@MattW9568616 · Camped on Jun 9, 2024 at Campsite #1
Beautiful hike to the lookout and very cool to stay in a place many don't get to see. We got there just before it started raining and it was awesome to watch the storm roll through. It was disappointing to see the previous guest had left a log smoldering in the wood stove and ash everywhere around the interior of the lookout that we had to clean up. Also the roof leaked like a sieve, and it would be great to see money put into the lookout to preserve it for future generations. Overall a great experience and our group has no problems dealing with less than ideal conditions, but it was disappointing to see that the lookout itself was somewhat in disrepair.
@KristinM315479 · Camped on May 19, 2024 at Campsite #1
Absolutely incredible. Highly recommend.
@JohannS8DA3F32 · Camped on Apr 26, 2024 at Campsite #1
So Awesome. Extremely foggy on hike up, cleared up somewhat in the morning. Previous campers leave supplies they didn't use, including food and propane. Take some and leave some. Log books are all full though! Make sure you bring enough water
@ElliotF636446B · Camped on Apr 17, 2024 at Campsite #1
Beautiful view! The cabin is stocked with plenty of wood, even late into the winter. The cabin is also well stocked with pots and pans which I wasn't expecting but made it really easy to cook. Expect lots of wind up atop the mountain!
@DrewW4844495 · Camped on Apr 3, 2024 at Campsite #1
10/10 would do again
@MegS4027877 · Camped on Mar 31, 2024 at Campsite #1
Better than I expected. Well stocked with pots and pans. Games and puzzles. Coleman stove was great and the firewood was greatly appreciated. Looking forward to coming here again
@BRENDANH260712 · Camped on Jan 25, 2024 at Campsite #1
Skied in. Beautiful day. Had lots of fun. Cabin very nice. Thank you
@JohnW4841416 · Camped on Jan 20, 2024 at Campsite #1
Well stocked, good condition and clean. The folks before us left the cabin clean and they had stocked the wood box. We left it in even cleaner condition and restocked the wood box and we sharpened the axes. One note, the wood stove door doesn't seal well and as a result you can't in essence control the dampers. The stove will burn through the entire fire box of wood in about 60 minutes. It was thus impractical to keep the stove burning through the night. A note for the Forest Service - the firebrick on the inside of wood stove is cracked and is in bad shape. The stove will need some serious work soon to perform safely.
@TiaS7788542 · Camped on Nov 24, 2023 at Campsite #1
Great lookout! Tons of firewood is located underneath the cabin, which should keep all the winter residents toasty throughout the winter. The lookout could use a new log book donated as the current one is full. We had two visitors while we were there, but they were friendly and respectful.
@MichaelO624286 · Camped on Nov 3, 2023 at Campsite #1
The fire LookOut was incredible!
@DaneS4174192 · Camped on Sep 20, 2023 at Campsite #1
Healthy hike to the hut. Remember, there is no water so must haul up what you will need for the stay.
@LaurenW6076022 · Camped on Jul 13, 2023 at Campsite #1
Really beautiful spot with outhouse nearby. The flies were pretty bad and despite the copious amounts of odds and ends that have accumulated in the cabin, there was no fly swatter which would have been really handy. Also out of TP in the outhouse, so remember to bring extra!
@DavidA3218244 · Camped on Jan 8, 2023 at Campsite #1
I appreciated the cleanliness, tidiness, and well-stocked wood the previous party left for me!
In the same spirit, I tried to do the same.
In the same spirit, I tried to do the same.
@AmandaF1656528 · Camped on Dec 27, 2022 at Campsite #1
Great lookout. We snowmobiled the whole 12 miles in rather than trying to drive part of it even though the road was still technically open (we clocked it at 10.5 miles total actually). Lots of wind during our stay but we were warm and cozy in the cabin thanks to plenty of wood stocked. Highly suggest bringing your own hatchet as the one there is very dull. We left extra kindling since we had a nice sharp one with us. Huge shoutout to the forest service for keeping this in great shape.
@HaydenM5837620 · Camped on Nov 23, 2022 at Campsite #1
This is the only thing the US government is really great at, props.
@JamesB7853748 · Camped on Oct 18, 2022 at Campsite #1
This lookout is beautiful and well equipped. The only downside to staying here is that if you are hiking in, you must schlep all your water four miles and 2,500 vertical feet to the summit of a mountain. Plan accordingly. And be sure to give yourself plenty of time at the lookout to enjoy the peace, quiet, and beautiful surroundings.
@StephenP202589 · Camped on Sep 27, 2022 at Campsite #1
My now-wife and i got engaged on the deck of this firewatch lookout in 2016, and finally were able to go back for another stay. Just as beautiful and memorable as it was the first time. We plan on going back as often as possible.
@FRANCESCA92414 · Camped on Sep 11, 2022 at Campsite #1
Steady, steep climb with beautiful views.
@OdyL7984896 · Camped on Feb 17, 2022 at Campsite #1
Cozy, warm, good views.
@JessicaR455769 · Camped on Dec 23, 2021 at Campsite #1
Beautiful views! Lots of firewood available (thank you!!!!!)! Best stove we’ve used! Kept the cabin warm and cooked some delicious food. Can’t wait to try and stay here again.
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