About Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout
Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout sits on the apex of Garnet Mountain, at an elevation of 8,245 feet. The lookout provides a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Highlights include the Spanish Peaks to the west, the Gallatin Range to the south, the Hyalite Ridge to the east and the Gallatin River Valley to the north. The structure can be accessed by hiking, horseback or mountain bike on the Garnet Mountain Lookout Trail in the summer. The 4.5-mile trail gains 2,800 feet along its path. Motorcycles and ATVs can access the lookout via the Rat Lake Trail from June 16 through December 1. During winter months, guests must plan on skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing up to 10 miles. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Hikers, mountain bikers and off-road vehicle riders can access the same trail used to…
- Fees: $65.00
- Managed by: Custer Gallatin National Forest, FS
- Where: 11 mi south of Gallatin Gateway, MT · 45.42667, -111.20639
Things to do:
Official page for this camp (fees, closures, booking)
Weather by month
Typical daily highs and lows (°F), 1991–2020 NOAA normals. Best months: Jun–Sep (comfortable days, mild nights, little rain). Nights below freezing: Oct–Apr.
Fly over it in 3D, check today's weather and fire news, plan the drive and print a trip plan.
Trails near camp
| Trail | Open to | From camp | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rat Lake | Horse | at camp | 5.9 mi |
| Garnet Mountain | Horse | 0.5 mi | 3.1 mi |
| Pioneer Lakes | Horse | 0.7 mi | 3.6 mi |
| Gallatin Riverside | Horse | 1.2 mi | 2.5 mi |
| Storm Castle Mtn | Horse | 1.3 mi | 5.7 mi |
| Hellroaring Creek | Horse | 1.5 mi | 10.9 mi |
Straight-line distance from camp, from Forest Service, BLM, state and OpenStreetMap trail data.
Good to know
AT&T 4G · T-Mobile 4G
From the carriers' FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous.The Milky Way shows rich detail, horizon to horizon.
Class 2 of 9, from NASA/NOAA night-light data.Propane: 19.6 mi
Nearest of each within 25 miles, straight-line.Camps nearby
- Spire Rock Campground 1.1 mi
- Greek Creek Campground 3.4 mi
- Swan Creek Campground 4.3 mi
- Gallatin Canyon, Hwy 191 & Big Sky 4.4 mi
- Moose Creek Flat Campground 5.1 mi
- Moose Creek Group Site 5.1 mi