Clay Butte Lookout

Clay Butte Lookout is a historic fire lookout and visitor interpretation site high above Beartooth Highway. The 2.6-mile spur leads to a small tower and a sweeping view; if the tower is open, the cab and the exhibits make this a richer stop than another roadside pullout.

From U.S. 212, Forest Road 142 climbs about 2.6 miles to the site. It is steep, rough gravel, so expect a slower and bumpier drive than the highway; low-clearance vehicles may find it uncomfortable. Access is seasonal, and road and tower status can differ, so check current conditions before making the detour. Vault toilets are listed, but there is no potable water at the site.

The tower took shape in the early 1940s, with the Civilian Conservation Corps and Forest Service crews building a standard lookout structure for fire detection and isolated staff. It remained in that role until aircraft took over more of the work in the 1960s. A visitor center was added at the base in 1962, and volunteers have staffed the site since 1975 to explain how lookouts worked.

From the upper cab, the panorama reaches across the Beartooth Plateau and into the Absarokas. Pilot and Index Peaks, Beartooth Butte and Beartooth Lake give the wide view recognizable landmarks. The exhibits connect the scene to the 1988 Clover-Mist fire and ancient seas that once covered the plateau. On a clear day, include Beartooth Butte and the lake in a phone panorama to give the mountain sweep a useful anchor.

The observation cab is a compact 14-by-14-foot room with a catwalk around it. The stairs are steep, so skip the climb if heights or narrow stairs are uncomfortable. When the tower is open, the cab makes the lookout’s job easy to picture: a small room with an enormous view and a lot of ground to watch.