The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness is the third largest wilderness in the lower
48 states, surpassed in size only by California's Death Valley Wilderness and
Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness (RONR). Less than one-fifth
of the area lies in Montana (see Idaho, Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness).

Only the 600-foot-wide Nez Perce Trail (The Magruder Corridor), an unimproved
dirt road, separates the Selway-Bitterroot from the Frank Church-RONR. This
Wilderness straddles both sides of the Bitterroot Mountain Range, which stands
along the Montana-Idaho border and includes the Wild and Scenic Selway River,
all of which flows through Idaho.

A small portion of this wilderness is within the Lolo National Forest. Montana
access is mostly through the Bitterroot National Forest.

<p>The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness is the third largest wilderness in the lower 48 states, surpassed in size only by California&#39;s Death Valley Wilderness and Idaho&#39;s Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness (RONR). Less than one-fifth of the area lies in Montana (see Idaho, Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness).</p><p>Only the 600-foot-wide Nez Perce Trail (The Magruder Corridor), an unimproved dirt road, separates the Selway-Bitterroot from the Frank Church-RONR. This Wilderness straddles both sides of the Bitterroot Mountain Range, which stands along the Montana-Idaho border and includes the Wild and Scenic Selway River, all of which flows through Idaho.</p><p>A small portion of this wilderness is within the Lolo National Forest. Montana access is mostly through the Bitterroot National Forest.</p>

Bird's eye view of the campground

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

## Overview

West Fork Butte Lookout is an ideal place for guests to experience the
mountains south of Missoula from a unique vantage point. The facility provides
near-360-degree views of the surrounding area. It is equipped with basic
supplies and provides guests a base camp location from which to explore the
area. Access by vehicle is available for a relatively short time during the
summer months and is variable during the spring and fall. From December 1 -
May 1 Forest Road 37 is closed, requiring hiking, skiing or snowmobiling
roughly 7.5 miles to the facility. Outside of these dates the road may be
muddy, snowy or icy - guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements
and safety and must bring several of their own amenities.

## Recreation

Hiking trails are available in the area. Visitors often bring cross-country
skis or snowshoes for wintertime fun. Snowmobiles are often used to reach the
lookout in the winter, and there is a system of groomed trails to explore
nearby.  
  
Fishing is available in Lolo Creek.

## Facilities

The lookout can sleep up to four people and is equipped with bunk beds and
mattress pads. The lookout also has a table and chairs, a propane cook stove
and lantern, as well as a wood stove for heat. Cleaning supplies, kitchen
utensils, cookware and other amenities may be available, but are not always
guaranteed; call for availability, (406) 329-3814. A vault toilet is provided.  
  
Guests should bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning
purposes. Bedding and towels, propane fuel canisters, flashlights, matches,
lighters, garbage bags, toilet paper and cleaning supplies are not supplied at
the facility. Guests are responsible for cleaning the lookout prior to
departure.

## Natural Features

The 14-by-14' lookout is situated on a rocky knob with spectacular views of
the surrounding area, including Lolo Peak, the Bitterroot Mountains and the
Lolo Creek drainage. The lookout is close to the Montana-Idaho border and Lolo
Pass.  
  
The surrounding forest is comprised primarily of lodgepole pine and larch. The
area is home to elk, moose, deer and black bears.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>West Fork Butte Lookout is an ideal place for guests to experience the mountains south of Missoula from a unique vantage point. The facility provides near-360-degree views of the surrounding area. It is equipped with basic supplies and provides guests a base camp location from which to explore the area. Access by vehicle is available for a relatively short time during the summer months and is variable during the spring and fall. From December 1 - May 1 Forest Road 37 is closed, requiring hiking, skiing or snowmobiling roughly 7.5 miles to the facility.  Outside of these dates the road may be muddy, snowy or icy - guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities.</p><h2>Recreation</h2>
Hiking trails are available in the area. Visitors often bring cross-country skis or snowshoes for wintertime fun. Snowmobiles are often used to reach the lookout in the winter, and there is a system of groomed trails to explore nearby.
<br/><br/>
Fishing is available in Lolo Creek.<h2>Facilities</h2>
The lookout can sleep up to four people and is equipped with bunk beds and mattress pads. The lookout also has a table and chairs, a propane cook stove and lantern,  as well as a wood stove for heat.  Cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils, cookware and other amenities may be available, but are not always guaranteed; call for availability, (406) 329-3814.  A vault toilet is provided. 
<br/><br/>
Guests should bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. Bedding and towels, propane fuel canisters, flashlights, matches, lighters, garbage bags, toilet paper and cleaning supplies are not supplied at the facility. Guests are responsible for cleaning the lookout prior to departure.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
The 14-by-14'  lookout is situated on a rocky knob with spectacular views of the surrounding area, including Lolo Peak, the Bitterroot Mountains and the Lolo Creek drainage. The lookout is close to the Montana-Idaho border and Lolo Pass.
<br/><br/>
The surrounding forest is comprised primarily of lodgepole pine and larch. The area is home to elk, moose, deer and black bears.

WEST FORK BUTTE LOOKOUT OVERVIEW

West Fork Butte Lookout

WEST FORK BUTTE LOOKOUT

WEST FORK BUTTE LOOKOUT SCENIC VIEW

West Fork Butte Lookout From Parking Area

WEST FORK BUTTE LOOKOUT FROM PARKING AREA

WEST FORK BUTTE COOKING AREA

WEST FORK BUTTE LOOKOUT SLEEPING AREA

WEST FORK BUTTE LOOKOUT STOVE AREA

West Fork Butte Lookout Living Area Alternate Angle

WEST FORK BUTTE LOOKOUT LIVING AREA ALTERNATE ANGLE

This campground is forested and adjacent to Lolo Creek. The Lewis and Clark
and Nez Perce National Historic Trail is nearby.

<p>This campground is forested and adjacent to Lolo Creek. The Lewis and Clark and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/npnht/">Nez Perce National Historic Trail</a> is nearby.</p>

$15 per night. $5 fee for each additional vehicle after two vehicles.

Lolo Creek Campground and Picnic Area

This shady, forested campground is adjacent to Lolo Creek and Lee Creek. A
picnic table and fire ring is available at each campsite. RV accessible
(30-foot parking spurs) are available.

There is an interpretive site at this location and the Lolo Pass Lewis and
Clark/Nez Perce National Historic Trail are nearby.

A commercial hot spring resort is within 1 mile and the Lolo Pass Visitor
Center is 6 miles west. It is 26 miles east to groceries and gas from this
location.

<p>This shady, forested campground is adjacent to Lolo Creek and Lee Creek. A picnic table and fire ring is available at each campsite. RV accessible (30-foot parking spurs) are available.</p><p>There is an interpretive site at this location and the Lolo Pass Lewis and Clark/Nez Perce National Historic Trail are nearby.</p><p>A commercial hot spring resort is within 1 mile and the Lolo Pass Visitor Center is 6 miles west. It is 26 miles east to groceries and gas from this location.</p>

$15 per night. $5 fee for each additional vehicle after two vehicles. Fees
charged from May through Labor Day.

Lee Creek Campground

## Overview

The Pattee Canyon Picnic Area offers family picnic sites available for free,
along with three group picnic sites available by reservation. The picnic area
is open July 1 through Labor Day.

## Recreation

The Pattee Canyon Recreation Area is a popular spot for day hikes, mountain
biking, horseback riding and picnicking. There are several trailheads in the
area. Cross-country skiing is popular in the area during winter months.

## Facilities

The picnic area offers several individual- and group-sized picnic sites. The
roads are paved and the group sites have trash collection receptacles and
accessible vault toilets. Drinking water is not available at the picnic area.
A host may be on-site during summer months.

## Natural Features

Set in a wooded canyon east of Missoula, at 4,100 feet, the picnic site is
pleasantly shaded by large ponderosa pine trees.

## Nearby Attractions

Pattee Canyon Picnic Area is located four miles southeast of Missoula.

<h2>Overview</h2>
The Pattee Canyon Picnic Area offers family picnic sites available for free, along with three group picnic sites available by reservation.  The picnic area is open July 1 through Labor Day.<h2>Recreation</h2>
The Pattee Canyon Recreation Area is a popular spot for day hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding and picnicking. There are several trailheads in the area. Cross-country skiing is popular in the area during winter months. 
<h2>Facilities</h2>
The picnic area offers several individual- and group-sized picnic sites. The roads are paved and the group sites have trash collection receptacles and accessible vault toilets. Drinking water is not available at the picnic area. A host may be on-site during summer months.
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Set in a wooded canyon east of Missoula, at 4,100 feet, the picnic site is pleasantly shaded by large ponderosa pine trees. 
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Pattee Canyon Picnic Area is located four miles southeast of Missoula.

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

Stay Limit

Reviews

Camp Sites

Nearby Campgrounds

West Fork Butte Lookout

Lolo Creek Campground and Picnic Area

Lee Creek Campground

Pattee Canyon Picnic Area