Take a Little Adventure
Are you looking for a bit of adventure but you aren't interested in driving to Glacier Park or fighting crowds at the lake? Why not consider spending a few days at a lookout tower in the Kootenai National Forest? The Forest Service has four lookout cabins and three lookout towers available for public rental in Lincoln County from June through September.
Some are easier to get to and have nicer accommodations than others. In general though, the rentals tend to be rustic and primitive - with spectacular views. You probably want to be in good shape physically to consider this as a get away. But once you give it a try you will be hooked. Can you imagine spending the night with the stars above you untainted by town lights? Or waking up in the morning with the only sounds being bird songs? The lookout cabins and towers were used by the Forest Service in the past and are no longer active. According to the website, "they make ideal locations for remote stays in the forest for visitors who are physically fit and would like to stay in a unique back country facility." So if the idea of getting away from it all for a few days appeals to you (you can actually rent some of these places for up to two weeks), look over the various options on the USFS website. Permits are required and calling in advance helps as these tend to be popular places during the height of summer. Contact the Ranger Station concerning use of the lookout cabins and towers. Permits are issued on a first come, first served basis. The towers can accommodate 4 people and cabins accommodate 4-5 persons. Enjoy! Kootenai National Forest - Camping and Cabins.
About the Author: Rita Collins. I am a believer in the power of community and for now I call the Tobacco Valley home. I have lived in nine states and three counties and this community here amazes me - how people reach out to neighbors and even travelers. I've never lived in a place that demonstrates people caring for each other so well. And I've never lived in a place that has such a high percentage of talented musicians and artists. I work with the the Sunburst Community Service Foundation, a nonprofit that began in Eureka twenty years ago and now serves numerous communities in western Montana. And I just started a new business, St. Rita's Amazing Traveling Bookstore and Textual Apothecary. I never could have imagined life being this exciting in my sixth decade.