Clay Butte Lookout
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.
Points of Interest
Location |
---|
Clarks Fork Canyon Scenic Viewpoint |
Clay Butte Lookout |
MEETEETSE TRAIL WILDLIFE VIEWING AREA |
Nearby Camping
Location | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Little Sunlight | 12 | 6,901 ft | |||
Hunter Peak | 10 | 6,538 ft |
Weather Forecast
Nearby Streamflow Levels
Gauge | Streamflow |
---|---|
West Rosebud Creek Near Roscoe Mt
USGS 06204050 |
19 cfs |
Shoshone River Below Buffalo Bill Reservoir
USGS 06282000 |
315 cfs |
Red Lodge Cr Ab Cooney Re Nr Boyd Mt
USGS 06211000 |
89 cfs |
Willow Creek Near Boyd Mt
USGS 06211500 |
25 cfs |
North Fork Shoshone River At Wapiti
USGS 06279940 |
1,100 cfs |
Stillwater River Near Absarokee Mt
USGS 06205000 |
549 cfs |
Rock Creek Near Red Lodge Mt
USGS 06209500 |
42 cfs |