Trail Overview

This trail is left from West Yellowstone on US Highway 191 going north. You'll turn left onto Rainbow Point Road/US Forest Road 610 and then left onto House Butte Road. There is a turn-off on the right for Horse Butte Lookout Road. The dirt road is passable for most SUVs when it's dry. It's probably safer to opt for 4x4 during the wet and muddy season and pack some recovery tracks. There are some ruts and rocks but going slow and making good line choices will work. The view of the Madison Arm of Hebgen Lake is beautiful. Once at the top, there is a view of Yellowstone National Park to the east. There is ample space to park, turn around, picnic, and use a small outhouse. The lookout itself is not accessible but still has an impressive history to look at from the ground.

Photos of Horse Butte Fire Lookout Road

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Difficulty

This is mostly a dry dirt road during the late spring into summer and early fall. It likely gets muddy based on the ruts during the season. The ruts are passable with a good line choice.

History

The lookout was first established in about 1930 and rebuilt in 1953. It's at an elevation of 7,077 feet and is a 40-foot tower.

Technical Rating

Sarah Tunget

May 24, 2026

Open

We drove Horse Butte Fire Lookout Road in a stock 2025 Subaru Outback Premium and a stock 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk as a side trip while exploring the Horse Butte area. This trail was absolutely worth the detour. The highlight is the historic fire lookout and the panoramic views from the top. Looking out over Hebgen Lake and the surrounding mountains made this one of our favorite stops in the area. There is plenty of room to park, turn around, and explore the site. Our only surprise was the number of ticks near the lookout. We found two ticks on us after walking around the area and didn't notice them until we got back to the vehicles. If you're visiting during the warmer months, I highly recommend using tick spray and checking yourself before leaving. Overall, this is an easy and worthwhile trail with excellent views and a unique destination.