Double Arrow Lookout
Campground · Montana · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Lolo National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- 20 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 4
- People per site
- 4,932 ft
- Elevation
Overview
The Double Arrow Lookout offers guests a chance to see the Seeley valley and the adjacent Swan Mountains from a different and unique vantage point, high above the hillside. The tower contains a few modern amenities, including electricity, but allows guests to personalize their visits with their own supplies. A variety of recreational opportunities exist in the surrounding mountains, but the view is usually what attracts people to the tower.Recreation
Visitors enjoy hunting and hiking. There are a variety of trails that lead from the lookout into the surrounding mountains and valleys.Seeley Lake is located about 2 miles east of Double Arrow and is open to fishing, boating and other water-related recreation. It has a boat ramp, as well as a sandy beach with ample shade for visitors who just want to relax and enjoy the alpine setting.
Facilities
Double Arrow has an exterior stairway leading to a platform with a covered walkway all the way around the window-encased living quarters. The facility has electric lights, heat, a cook stove and a small refrigerator. An outdoor vault toilet is a short distance from the tower.
Two single platforms and two portable cots are provided, able to sleep up to four people. Camping and sleeping are not allowed in the area around and below the lookout. Cell phone service is available in the area.
Guests must furnish everything they need in the way of bedding, cooking and eating equipment and cleaning supplies. Guests will also need to bring their own food, towels, soap, garbage bags and toilet paper, among other supplies deemed necessary. The cabin will need to be cleaned before leaving.
The lookout can be accessed by vehicle, however, the steep dirt and gravel road requires high-clearance vehicles. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety.
Natural Features
The lookout is a 14-by-14 structure atop a 20 foot tower. It was built in 1933 and staffed by Forest Service employees until the mid-'80s, when it was opened to the public for recreation purposes. The tower is now listed on the National Historic Lookout Register.
The forest contains a wide variety of trees, plants and wildlife, and is home to mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, deer and grizzly and black bears (learn about bear safety ). Both the bald and golden eagle reside in the forest, along with trumpeter swan, herons and dozens of varieties of ducks.
Nearby Attractions
The lookout is a short distance from the Clearwater River Canoe Trail, which offers a prime location to witness the area's spectacular birding, wildlife viewing and scenic views. The 3.5-mile trail can be completed in a couple hours and is done entirely on the water.The facts
- Season: May 23 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 1 bookable site
- Vehicles up to 20 ft
- Up to 4 people per site
- Loops: DOUBLE ARROW LOOKOUT
Site types
- 1 Cabin Electric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Water hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, picnic tables, grills, shade, pets allowed.
1 campsite at Double Arrow Lookout
Check-in 03:00 PM · Check-out 01:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | DOUBLE ARROW LOOKOUT | Cabin Electric | Back In | Gravel | Moderate | 20 ft | 4 |
Getting there
From the town of Seeley Lake, turn west on Riverview Drive halfway between MM 13 & 14. Drive straight on the paved road for 0.6 mile, where you will cross over the Clearwater River. Continue on the same road another 0.6 mile where the road will split, stay straight (do not go right). The road will narrow, become more rocky and rough. Proceed almost 1 mile where you will make a right turn. After another 0.2 mile, make another right turn. Go another 0.2 mile and turn right again on Forest Road 696. Continue 1 mile where you will come to the lookout gate. Proceed through the gate (using the gate combination number) and in 0.1 mile you will be at the lookout.
47.16472, -113.53111 · 47°9'53.0"N 113°31'52.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 2.8 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 2.2 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Double Arrow Lookout
- Can you reserve a site at Double Arrow Lookout?
- Yes, Double Arrow Lookout is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Double Arrow Lookout have?
- 1 site.
- What is the maximum RV length at Double Arrow Lookout?
- 20 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Does Double Arrow Lookout have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Double Arrow Lookout?
- Campfires are allowed at Double Arrow Lookout. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Double Arrow Lookout also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Double Arrow Lookout's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $75 per night
Restrictions:
- No tents. No smoking and no candles in the cabin. Visit Recreation.gov for full information about this cabin rental. Please see our Bear Safety and Food Storage Information for important information about food storage to protect you and the bears from unwanted encounters.
Camping near Double Arrow Lookout
- River Point Lolo Campground (MT) 1.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Seeley Lake Lolo Campground (MT) 1.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Larch Campground 2.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lake Inez Point 6 (Group Camp Site) 8.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lakeside Lolo Campground (MT) 10.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lake Alva Campground 11.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Monture Guard Station Cabin 18 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Larch Campground 2.2 mi · Campground
- Hidden Lake Campground 2.4 mi · Facility
- Lakeside Campground 10 mi · Campground
- Rainy Lake Campground 12.2 mi · Facility
- River Point Picnic Area 14.8 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 406-677-2233
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-06.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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