Overview
Fivemile Butte Lookout is available for reservation year-round. It provides stellar mountain views and access to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. During the winter months, the lookout is popular among hunters and winter sports enthusiasts.
In the winter the lookout can only be accessed by skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing up to 3 miles from a parking area at the Billy Bob Sno-Park. A permit is required to park and the trek takes about three to four hours. In the summer guests can drive directly to the lookout but will need a gate code once their reservation is made. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Great Facilities and Amenities
Checkin Time
(All campsites have Checkin Time)
Checkout Time
(All campsites have Checkout Time)
Max Num Of People
(Up to 4)
Max Num Of Vehicles
(Up to 10)
Shade
(All campsites have Shade)
Natural Features
The lookout was originally a small cab on a 30-foot tower, established in the 1920s. In 1932, a standard lookout tower was built to replace the earlier lookout, but was destroyed by heavy snow in 1942. A non-typical lookout structure was rebuilt at the site in 1957.The tower sits on Fivemile Butte, at an elevation of 4,627 feet. It is surrounded by ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and western hemlock forests. Numerous creeks run through the area. A variety of wildlife, including wild turkeys, grouse and blue jays, as well as deer, elk, coyotes, cougars and bears, frequent the area.
Recreation
In the summer months, visitors enjoy hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking in the area, as well as the gorgeous views from the lookout. The lookout is near Eightmile Creek and Eightmile Trail, which travels through and around a riparian area, old growth pine forests and meadows dotted with wildflowers.The area is popular among winter sports enthusiasts as well, as the location provides access to numerous cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling trails. It is a shared winter recreation area and lookout guests should expect other winter sports enthusiasts in the area.