Clay Butte Lookout overview
Community Reviews
Been here? Share the conditions.
Reviews, ratings & photos are added in the free Snoflo iOS app — rate a spot, tag the conditions, and your visit is verified by location. Add or manage your reviews from the app.
Clay Butte Lookout
<p>The Clay Butte Lookout was built in 1942 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and was staffed until the 1960s, when aircraft proved a better tool for fire detection. Because of its popular scenic vantage point and proximity to the Beartooth Highway, Clay Butte continued to be used as a visitor information site. It was remodeled in 1962 and has been staffed since 1975 by volunteers. The focus of Clay Butte today is to give visitors a glimpse of how fire lookouts functioned 60 years ago. Sightseers driving the scenic byway stop to obtain information or take in the view, which includes wildlife, botanical areas, the effects of the Clover-Mist wildfire of 1988, and the geology of ancient seas that once covered the Beartooth Plateau.</p>
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, campgrounds, fishing spots, and other landmarks so a quick visit can grow into a full day.
Responsible visitation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site (BLM, NPS, state agency, or private owner) for access rules, permits, and seasonal closures before driving out.
- Stay on trail
- Many points of interest sit in fragile ecosystems. Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation and prevent erosion.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and give nesting birds and denning mammals plenty of space.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you. Remote sites often have no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, fossils, or artifacts. Federal law protects cultural and natural resources on public land.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Clay Butte Lookout as a favorite, set a weather threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Clay Butte Lookout
What is Clay Butte Lookout?
A point of interest in Montana tracked by Snoflo -- typically a scenic landmark, named summit, monument, or viewpoint.
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no public feeds.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get there?
Tap Directions in the hero above for Google Maps driving directions, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the spot.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this POI, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other points of interest near here
Snoflo-tracked landmarks within driving distance of Clay Butte Lookout.