Scurvy Mountain Lookout

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3 reviews
Scurvy Mountain Lookout

Quick Facts

6,600 ft

Price

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Sites

1 campsites

Season

Access is seasonally...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

Opens North Fork Ranger District, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest (USDA Forest Service) site

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Scurvy Mountain Lookout
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Best Time to Camp at Scurvy Mountain Lookout

Timing is everything when planning your visit to this high-elevation hideaway. Deep seasonal snowpack transforms the landscape from late October through mid-July, often rendering nearby Hoodoo Pass (6,000 ft) completely impassable and limiting trail access. The lookout truly comes alive during the summer and early fall months, though early-season adventurers should always verify current road and trail conditions through the forest service before setting out—mountain weather here can be as dramatic as the views.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Access is seasonally limited by road and trail conditions; Hoodoo Pass (I-90 approach) is typically impassable from late October until mid-July. Roads and trails may be blocked by snowpack or debris in the early season; visitors are advised to check seasonal conditions before travel.

About Scurvy Mountain Lookout

Step back in time at this beautifully restored 1952 fire lookout cabin, perched dramatically at 6,600 feet atop Scurvy Mountain. Accessible via a scenic 5+ mile trail or seasonal forest roads, this 12' x 12' historic retreat rewards adventurous souls with sweeping 360-degree mountain vistas and some of the finest stargazing in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest—just remember, this is authentic backcountry living where self-sufficiency is essential.
A historic fire lookout cab available for overnight lodging with minimal provided amenities. The site is remote and suited to visitors prepared for backcountry-style stays rather than developed campground facilities.
Historical SignificanceThis lookout has stood sentinel over these mountains for more than a century, beginning with a simple platform in 1917, evolving with a cabin addition in 1935, and culminating in the current structure built in 1952. What makes it truly special is the dedication of volunteers who spent ten years lovingly restoring every detail, preserving a piece of Forest Service history that earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Lookouts in 2004. Staying here means becoming part of a living tradition that connects you to generations of fire watchers who scanned these same horizons.
Weather and SeasonsTiming is everything when planning your visit to this high-elevation hideaway. Deep seasonal snowpack transforms the landscape from late October through mid-July, often rendering nearby Hoodoo Pass (6,000 ft) completely impassable and limiting trail access. The lookout truly comes alive during the summer and early fall months, though early-season adventurers should always verify current road and trail conditions through the forest service before setting out—mountain weather here can be as dramatic as the views.
ElevationThe lookout cabin crowns Scurvy Mountain's summit at approximately 6,600 feet, where the modest 12' x 12' structure sits atop an 8-foot cinderblock foundation, placing its observation deck about 10 feet above the rocky peak. This relatively low-profile design has weathered decades of mountain storms while offering visitors an intimate perch among the clouds.
Natural Features and SceneryFrom your elevated vantage point in this mountaintop clearing, the wilderness unfolds in every direction like a living map. To the south, the Cayuse Creek and Weitas Creek drainages carve their ancient paths through forested valleys, while Cook Mountain rises to the west and the distinctive Moose Creek Buttes punctuate the northern horizon. The jagged spine of the Bitterroot Mountains commands the eastern view, with the glimmering waters of Scurvy Lake nestled below. Wildlife encounters are part of the experience here—watch for mule deer browsing at dawn, listen for the haunting calls of ravens echoing across ridges, and keep your eyes peeled for elk, black bears, mountain lions, and a vibrant cast of mountain birds including bluebirds, jays, and tanagers. The real magic happens during golden hour, when sunrises and sunsets paint the peaks in impossible colors, and after dark, when the Milky Way stretches overhead in a dazzling display rarely visible in our light-polluted world. Come autumn, the first dustings of snow on distant summits create a photographer's paradise against the blazing fall foliage.
Geological RegionScurvy Mountain rises to approximately 6,600 feet within the rugged North Fork Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, a landscape shaped by ancient geological forces and carved by the persistent flow of mountain waters. The lookout's commanding position reveals the intricate network of creek drainages—Cayuse, Weitas, and Moose—that have sculpted these highlands over millennia, while the imposing Bitterroot Mountains form a dramatic eastern backdrop. Access routes traverse Hoodoo Pass at roughly 6,000 feet, a high mountain gateway that has challenged travelers for generations and continues to dictate the seasonal rhythm of visits to this remote outpost.
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Campsite details

AccessibilityTrailhead and access are not suitable for low-clearance vehicles; 4+ mile trail (#524) from trailhead to cabin is moderately difficult with several steep grades. Access by OHVs less than 50" in width is allowed but roads/trails may be partially or fully blocked by debris or snowpack in the early season. Off-trail/road motorized travel is prohibited.
Sites Size12' x 12' cab (12-foot by 12-foot wooden cab)
Sites PrivacyRemote and secluded location with panoramic 360-degree views.
Total Campsites1 campsites
Recommended CampsitesBring all supplies, gear, and food; there are no linens, cleaning supplies (except broom), or toiletries provided. Treat any water from the spring ~1/2 mile away before consumption. Consult the forest website and call the district information desk with questions before reserving or traveling. Roads and trail sections may require OHV under 50" width or 4x4 high-clearance vehicles; check seasonal pass conditions (Hoodoo Pass) before travel.

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Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutA single 12' x 12' wooden cab on an ~8' high cinderblock base with surrounding catwalk. Inside: one bed, a small table with chairs, two countertops with cabinets, a small modern wood stove. Sanitation: pit toilet outhouse (outside). No linens or toiletries provided.
Open and Closed SeasonAccess is seasonally limited by road and trail conditions; Hoodoo Pass (I-90 approach) is typically impassable from late October until mid-July. Roads and trails may be blocked by snowpack or debris in the early season; visitors are advised to check seasonal conditions before travel.

Accomodation available

Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.

Amenities available

Lodging and accommodations
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Remote lookout serving as a base for nature-focused recreation including trail-based activities and wildlife/bird viewing. The open skyline and 360-degree views make it well suited for stargazing and scenic observation, and nearby trails provide access for berry picking, hiking, biking, sightseeing, and birding.
Hiking
Trail #524 leads to the lookout: approximately 4+ miles from the trailhead to the cabin, moderately difficult, multi-use trail with several steep grades; trailhead not accessible with low-clearance vehicles.
Biking
Nearby multi-use trails provide opportunities for mountain biking.
Wildlife viewing
Area hosts diverse wildlife and birds; commonly observed species include mule deer, mountain lion, black bear, elk, Mountain Bluebird, Mountain Jay, Raven, and Tanager. Birding and wildlife watching are popular activities.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are allowed

Hazards

General hazardsTrail and road hazards include steep grades, rutted 2-track roads, potholes/rocks, slick native soils, and sections that require 4x4 high-clearance vehicles and experienced operators. TR 524 has multiple steep sections and drainage humps. Seasonal snowpack and debris can block access. Wildlife hazards include mountain lions and black bears. The closest water source is a spring ~1/2 mile from the lookout and requires treatment before drinking.

Weather at Scurvy Mountain Lookout

36
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 85%
Wind: 20.6 mph
Overcast

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Good to know

Trash and recyclingPack it in, pack it out policy required; guests must pack out trash and clean the cabin (broom provided).
Proximity to water featuresScurvy Lake lies to the east. The closest potable source is a small spring approximately 1/2 mile from the lookout on TR 524 (about 100 yards toward the lookout from the TR 524/531 junction, 25 yards off TR 524 on the downhill side); spring water requires treatment before consumption. Surrounding drainages include Cayuse Creek, Weitas Creek, and Moose Creek.

Campground Map

Scurvy Mountain Lookout
Driving directionsScurvy Mountain Lookout is approximately 35 air miles northeast of the community of Pierce, Idaho on the North Fork Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. From Pierce, locate French Mountain Road/FSR 250 on the east side of State HWY 11 and travel ~45 miles on FSR 250 (stay right after crossing the North Fork of the Clearwater River). At the Kelly Forks work center take FSR 255 across the North Fork for 11 miles to the FSR 255/FSR 581 junction, follow FSR 581 for 4 miles to the TR 524 (East Saddle) trailhead, then follow TR 524 for the remaining 5 miles to Scurvy Mountain Lookout. Conditions permitting, approach is also possible from I-90 via Superior, MT using a series of FSRs described by the forest (includes Hoodoo Pass and the same final junctions to TR 524).
Accessible from US HWY 12/State HWY 11 (via FSR 250) and seasonally from I-90 via Superior, MT. The last ~50 miles of travel from Pierce are mostly single-lane gravel roads (may have potholes/rocks); the final 4 miles are rutted 2-track requiring 4x4 high-clearance vehicles operated by experienced drivers. The final 5 miles are TR 524, a multi-use trail of moderate difficulty with several steep sections.
Nearby places
Pierce, ID — approximately 35 air miles (text also references ~50 miles of travel from Pierce to the cabin)
Superior, MT — listed as an approach via I-90 (distance to cabin not specified).
Nearby supplies
Pierce, Idaho (nearest community) — no services available on the forest.

Reviews from booking and map sources

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3 reviews
Limited Reviews
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Last updated December 10, 2025
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