Scurvy Mountain Lookout
The popular lookout is perched on Scurvy peak at the end of trail #524 overlooking the Moose buttes, Cayuse and Kelly Cr drainages and Scurvy Lake. The first lookout was a platform built in 1917 with a cabin added in 1935. The present cab was built in 1952 that was gradually restored by volunteers over a 10-year span and became an inclusion to the National Register of Historic lookouts in 2004. Guests must bring their own supplies and gear for a comfortable stay as there are no linens, cleaning supplies, or toiletries provided.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Fire lookouts | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site |
|---|
| Scurvy Lookout |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site.
Amenities & rules
The restored lookout is comprised of a 12’ x 12’ wooden “cab” surrounded by a catwalk on a 8’ high cinderblock structure. One bed, a small table with a couple chairs, two countertops that contain cabinets, a small modern wood stove, and a pit toilet outhouse are the only amenities provided. The closest water source is a small spring approximately 1/2 mile from the lookout on trail 524 (about 100 yards towards the lookout from the 524/531 trail junction 25 yards off trail 524 on the downhill side) that requires treatment before consumption. Guests are required to pick up after their pets/stock, pack out their trash, and clean the cabin before they check-out with the provided broom under the “Leave it Cleaner than when you arrived” and the “Pack it in Pack it out” policies so everyone may enjoy their stay.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Scurvy 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. The last 50 miles of travel to the cabin from Pierce are mostly single lane, gravel surfaced roadways that may be peppered with large potholes and rocks, the last 4 miles…
| Coordinates | 46.6895° N, 115.1340° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The trailhead to the cabin is not assessable with low clearance vehicles, and the 4 plus miles of trail from the trailhead to the cabin is a moderately difficult, multi-use trail with several steep gr
- Visitors are strongly advised to consult the forest website, as well as a map prior to reserving or traveling to the cabin and to call the district information desk with any questions.
Fire nearby
- WildfireMoose Mountain
7 mi from the campground · 5,832 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedRx Barnyard Units Nfrd
24 mi from the campground · 41 acres
- PrescribedRx Rescue Jensen Nfrd
26 mi from the campground · 44 acres
- PrescribedD4 Rx Simmons Peak
28 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 31.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Sport Land Trailer Sales, Service & Rentals ↗ | 49.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The North Fork Ranger District prides itself on the diversity of world class recreational opportunities ranging from bird/wildlife watching, big game hunting, whitewater rafting, leisurely floats, secluded backpacking/equestrian trails into the high mountain backcountry, to motorized OHV trail systems providing unique experiences that draw visitors from around the world and all walks of life.
- 5.1 miJunction Mountain Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11.8 miFourth Of July Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miScurvy Mountain3.7 mi trail
- 0.6 miWindy Bill ↗14.4 mi trail
- 1.5 miNever Again Ridge1.7 mi trail
- 3.2 miRuby Creek4.3 mi trail
- 3.2 miKelly Creek ↗20.9 mi trail
- 3.2 miRaspberry Butte ↗12.3 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest.
- inNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 4,072,795 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The low profile 10’ high lookout cab is positioned in a clearing on top of Scurvy mountain’s 6600’ peak. The vantage point provides guests with a panoramic view of the surrounding area that include the Cayuse Cr and Weitas Cr drainages to the South, Cook Mountain in the west, a broadside of the Moose Cr Buttes to the north, the Bitterroot Mountains, and Scurvy Lake to the east. The area boasts a wide diversity of wildlife and birds, so visitors never know what to expect while enjoying the scenery, but mule deer, mountain lion, black bear, elk, Mountain Bluebird, Mountain Jay, Raven, and Tanager are the most common. The unhindered view of the sunsets and rises on the horizon can be quite spectacular, as is the stargazing on a clear evening or the extraordinary fall colors back dropped with mountains capped by advancing snow late in the season are sites to behold.
Recreation
Due to its location, the lookout is an ideal base camp for those looking to reconnect with nature, or as a stopover for a variety of outdoor enthusiasts as they explore the district. The remote location combined with the open skyline and a 360-degree view is perfect for those who enjoy stargazing. There are also several other trails in the vicinity that offer connection to a host of recreation opportunities including berry picking, hiking, biking, sightseeing, and birding being the most popular.
Guidebooks for Idaho
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Scurvy Mountain Lookout?
Sites at Scurvy Mountain Lookout are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Scurvy Mountain Lookout have?
1 site, including 1 lookout.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Scurvy Mountain Lookout?
Due to its location, the lookout is an ideal base camp for those looking to reconnect with nature, or as a stopover for a variety of outdoor enthusiasts as they explore the district. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Scurvy Mountain Lookout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Kelly Forks Campground (6 mi, first-come), Hidden Creek Campground (10.1 mi, first-come), and Noe Creek Campground (11 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby