USDA Forest Service · Montana
Big Creek Baldy. Lookout Rental
USDA Forest Service · Montana, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Season
- June 28 to September 30
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,735 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- BIG CR BALDY MTN (NFSR 309) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Kootenai National Forest
- Nearest town
- LIBBY
- Address
- 12557 HWY. 37, LIBBY, MT, 59923-8212
- Phone
- 406-293-7773
- Activities
- Camping, Hiking, Lookout Tower, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Big Creek Baldy Lookout sits atop its namesake mountain at an elevation of 5,780 feet in the Kootenai National Forest. The lookout has been used as an observation point for spotting forest fires for over 60 years.
The lookout is typically open from mid-June through late September. High clearance vehicles are recommended. This mountain hideaway offers some amenities, but guests should plan to pack in some of their own supplies. Cell service is available at the lookout.
Recreation
Hikers can find places to explore around the lookout, and the surrounding Libby Area offers more than 400 miles of summer use trails.
The lookout offers an ideal vantage point for star gazing on clear nights.
Facilities
The lookout stands 52 feet tall and has a 225 square foot cabin, which is encircled by a catwalk. It sleeps four and comes furnished with one double bed and one twin bed, both with mattresses. Other amenities include propane lights, a two-burner cooktop, table and chairs, heater, fire extinguisher, cleaning supplies and some cooking utensils. Propane is provided.
An outhouse with vault toilet is located near the tower. A campfire ring is located outside, but firewood is not provided.
Water and electricity are not available. Guests must bring enough for drinking, cooking and washing.
Items such as cookware, 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 is located in the Purcell Range of the Rocky Mountains and offers panoramic views of densely forested peaks. Lake Koocanusa and the Yaak River valley are prominent features of the landscape.
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25° | 13° | -34° | 32° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 25° | 10° | -28° | 35° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 33° | 19° | -8° | 51° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 36° | 23° | 5° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 51° | 32° | 24° | 73° | 10 of 11 |
| June | 58° | 39° | 26° | 75° | 5 of 11 |
| July | 72° | 50° | 37° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 72° | 49° | 40° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 59° | 42° | 24° | 74° | 3 of 11 |
| October | 44° | 28° | 22° | 64° | 10 of 10 |
| November | 30° | 22° | -2° | 47° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 24° | 18° | -15° | 34° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Loon Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- Timberlane Campground · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi · 1 sites
- Rocky Gorge Campground · USDA Forest Service · 11 mi
- Peck Gulch Campground · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi
- Barron Flat Dispersed Sites · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi
All public campgrounds in Montana · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.