USDA Forest Service · Montana
Sex Peak. Lookout Rental
USDA Forest Service · Montana, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Season
- June 19 to October 10
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,781 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
- SEX PEAK LOOKOUT (NFSR 2222B) · native material · high clearance vehicles
- Lake
- Kootenai National Forest
- Nearest town
- TROUT CREEK
- Address
- Cabinet RD 2693 MT Hwy. 200, TROUT CREEK, MT, 59874-9503
- Phone
- 406-827-3533
- Activities
- Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Sex Peak Lookout is situated in the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 5,772 feet in the Kootenai National Forest. The original lookout was
constructed in the early 1920s and replaced by the current lookout in 1948.
The peak was named by I.V. Anderson, an early forester, and Harry Baker, supervisor of what was then Cabinet National Forest. It is rumored that they named the peak
after their topic of conversation at the time.
The lookout is typically open from late June through mid-October and is accessible by car. This rustic retreat offers a few amenities, but guests should pack in most
of their own supplies and gear.
Recreation
Old logging roads provide a way for hikers and mountain bikers to explore the area. Wild berries ripen in the area during the summer, inviting berry pickers.
Facilities
The 14x14-ft. lookout has windows on all sides and is encircled by a catwalk. The cabin sleeps 4 people and is equipped 2 twin size beds with mattresses.
Other amenities include a table, chair, bench, a wood stove for heat, broom and dustpan.
Firewood is provided. An outhouse with vault toilet and a campfire ring are located outside.
The lookout does not have electricity or water. Guests should being enough water for drinking, cooking and washing.
Items such as a cook stove, cooking gear, 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 sits on a mound of rocks surrounded by evergreen forest. It offers panoramic views of Clarks Fork Valley, the Bitterroot Mountains to the west and
the Cabinet Range to the east. This is an ideal vantage point to enjoy sunrises and sunsets and gaze out at starry skies on clear nights.
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 | 26° | 14° | -39° | 35° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 25° | 12° | -24° | 38° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 33° | 19° | -3° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 38° | 22° | 8° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 51° | 32° | 23° | 74° | 9 of 11 |
| June | 59° | 39° | 28° | 78° | 8 of 11 |
| July | 75° | 50° | 38° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 74° | 49° | 38° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 61° | 41° | 27° | 77° | 3 of 11 |
| October | 45° | 29° | 19° | 64° | 9 of 10 |
| November | 33° | 21° | 3° | 54° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 25° | 18° | -10° | 39° | 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
- Jackpine Flats Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Minton Peak Lookout · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 1 sites
- North Shore Campground · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi
- Marten Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi
- Cougar Peak Lookout · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi · 1 sites
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.