Gird Point
The Gird Point Lookout offers a unique chance to camp on top of a mountain peak in a rustic, old-time setting. It sits high above the valley and provides panoramic views of three surrounding mountain ranges. Comfortably equipped, the lookout tower provides almost everything anyone would need to enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities available in the mountains of western Montana.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Pull-through | Gravel | 4 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 20 ft |
The 14-by-14 lookout is equipped with two beds that can sleep up to four people. It has a table and chairs, a propane stove and lantern, basic eating and cooking utensils and pots and pans, as well as a wood stove for heat and cooking. Firewood should be available at the tower but supply cannot be guaranteed. An outdoor toilet is also provided. Guests will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as propane fuel canisters. Visitors should plan to bring bedding, towels, soap, matches, garbage bags, toilet paper and food, among other necessities. Guests are required to pack out all trash and clean the cabin prior to leaving. Basic cleaning equipment is provided. No smoking or open flames (candles) in the Lookout. No fireworks. The lookout can be accessed by vehicle and then a short hike over a moderate grade for the remainder of the route. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety. The historic L-4 cabin sits on top of an 8' high tower, with narrow steps and catwalk. This may pose a hazard for children and pets. Guests are responsible for their own safety.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Hamilton, Montana, travel east on Highway 38 for about 7 miles. Turn north onto Gird Road/Forest Road 714 and continue for about 13 miles to the Gird Point Lookout Trailhead. The tower is approximately 1/2 mile hike from the parking area.
| Nearest town | Darby, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.2074° N, 113.9096° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Bedding, including mattress pads, is not provided.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx D3 Cameron Gaps
20 mi from the campground · 1,100 acres
- PrescribedRx D4 Piquett Creek
29 mi from the campground · 2,210 acres
- PrescribedScf Nz Pile Burn Rx
41 mi from the campground · 34 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Hamilton RV Sales Of Montana ↗ | 12.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Cabela's ↗ | 43.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Highway 38 is also called the Skalkaho Highway. It continues into the Sapphire Mountains along a primitive and once widely used Native American trail. The scenic drive, which is closed during winter, was built to provide access between mining areas and agricultural communities in the Bitterroot Valley.
- 7.7 miPalisade Mountain Nrt Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miGird Creek/Middle Ridge3.7 mi trail
- 2.6 miSkalkaho-Gird ↗4.5 mi trail
- 2.8 miBlack Bear Point3.7 mi trail
- 3.2 miDaly Creek ↗5.9 mi trail
- 3.5 miCentennial Grove-Nature0.3 mi trail
- 3.5 miCentennial Grove-Paved ↗0.1 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 Bitterroot National Forest.
- inBitterroot National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,664,512 acres
- 13.5 miSelway-Bitterroot Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 1,347,644 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
On the National Register nearby
- Gird Point LookoutBuilding · Hamilton · 0.1 mi
- Oliver Blood HouseBuilding · Hamilton · 11.9 mi
- John Stout HouseBuilding · Hamilton · 11.9 mi
Natural features
The lookout is located 20 miles east of Hamilton, Montana, in the Bitterroot National Forest at an elevation of 7,702 feet. A 30-inch catwalk surrounding the glass-paneled room offers unobstructed views of the surrounding Sapphire, Bitterroot and Anaconda-Pintler mountain ranges. The 8-foot tower was originally built to watch for forest fires in the Hamilton/Skalkaho area, but it was later turned into a public recreation location. The lookout was restored beginning in 2001 and now has vintage 1940s furnishings.
Recreation
A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails are available in the area, as well as some off-road vehicle trails. The adjacent mountainsides have had several large fires in the last few decades and visitors will see a mosaic of recovering vegetation patterns. Hazardous snags still remain standing and hikers should use caution, especially during high winds. The lookout is known for its scenic views that can be enjoyed on just about any day of the year, regardless of current weather conditions. It provides a peaceful location to relax and enjoy nature. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area as well, providing ample sightseeing and wildlife viewing opportunities, from a vantage point at least 8 feet from the highest point in the region.
Guidebooks for Montana
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Gird Point?
Sites at Gird Point are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Gird Point?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Gird Point have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Gird Point?
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Is there cell service at Gird Point?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Gird Point?
A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails are available in the area, as well as some off-road vehicle trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Gird Point?
Darby, Montana. Highway 38 is also called the Skalkaho Highway.
Source: Getting there
What if Gird Point is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Black Bear Campground (2.9 mi, first-come), Crystal Creek Campground (8 mi, first-come), and Gold Creek Campground (13.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby