Medicine Point Lookout
Medicine Point Lookout is a historic tower located on Medicine Point, west of Sula. It has been restored to reflect a lookout of the 1940s, including the stove, furniture, dishes and other small touches. It offers a unique chance for visitors to camp on a mountain peak, near the scenic Bitterroot River in a rustic, old-time setting, while having the enjoyment of recreating on public lands. The tower provides spectacular views of the surrounding western Montana wilderness.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | People / vehicles | Pets |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 4 / – | No |
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
Medicine Point Lookout is a historic "L4" lookout located on Medicine Point, west of the Bitterrot Valley. The lookout is one room cabin with a bed platform suitable for two people. The lookout can accomidate up to four people. Others are welcome to tent camp in the area. The lookout measures 14ft.X14ft. with a 30 inch catwalk around the outside. There is wood stove for heat. You may have to saw your own wood from dead and down material found nearby. A bow saw and ax are provided. A two burner propane camp stove and lanterns are provided. Basic eating and cooking utensils are provided. There is no water available near the lookout so please bring your own water. An outdoor toilet serves the lookout. You will need to provide your own toilet paper. The lookout is built on a 10 foot tall tower, with narrow steps and catwalk. This may pose a hazard for children and pets. Guests are responsible for their own safety. Remember, guests will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as propane fuel canisters for cooking and lighting.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Missoula, Montana, travel south on Highway 93 to Laird Creek Road/Forest Service Road 370, which is approximately 34 miles south of Hamilton. Turn right and continue about 4 miles to Bear Creek Saddle. At Bear Creek Saddle, turn north onto Forest Service Road 5731 and continue 2 miles to the trailhead.
| Nearest town | Sula, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45.8072° N, 114.1103° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Propane is not provided, you will need to bring your own propane canisters.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx D4 Piquett Creek
5 mi from the campground · 2,210 acres
- PrescribedRx D3 Cameron Gaps
13 mi from the campground · 1,100 acres
- PrescribedScf Nz Pile Burn Rx
16 mi from the campground · 34 acres
- WildfireSand Creek
42 mi from the campground · 35,520 acres · 83% contained
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 ↗ | 32.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 2 miWarm Springs Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.7 miNee Me Poo Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miMedicine Point Lookout3.1 mi trail
- 1.2 miCastle Creek ↗2.6 mi trail
- 1.2 miWiles Peak ↗6.3 mi trail
- 2 miLaird Creek ↗4.3 mi trail
- 2 miWarm Springs Creek ↗8.7 mi trail
- 2.3 miWarm Springs Laird ↗2.4 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 2 miWarm Springs Trailhead ↗Bitterroot National Forest · Season May
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
- 11.1 miSelway-Bitterroot Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 1,347,644 acres
- 11.2 miBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,614,456 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
- Medicine Point LookoutBuilding · Darby · 0 mi
- Boulder Point LookoutBuilding · Darby · 8.9 mi
Natural features
The tower is poised between the east and west forks of the Bitterroot River at an elevation of 8,409 feet. It offers beautiful views of the Bitterroot Mountains, as well as a vista of the southern Bitterroot Valley to the east. On clear nights the lights of Hamilton can be seen from the tower. The Bitterroot forest is home to many species of wildlife, from mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black bear, mountain lions and moose to many varieties of smaller animals and birds.
Recreation
An extensive trail system exists in the area, including several loop trails for hiking, backpacking and horseback riding. Hitching racks are available at the base of the tower for equestrian campers' needs. Road and trail conditions are unpredictable, as weather changes quickly in the area. For best results, consult the ranger district prior to travel. Aside from hiking and horseback riding, the area is replete with wildlife and offers scenic views. A lookout journal is kept inside, providing instructions of what to do in case of emergency or a storm. Danger from lightning is largely abated due to a lightning rod implanted at the structure.
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 Medicine Point Lookout?
Sites at Medicine Point Lookout are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Medicine Point Lookout?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Medicine Point Lookout have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Medicine Point Lookout?
An extensive trail system exists in the area, including several loop trails for hiking, backpacking and horseback riding. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Medicine Point Lookout?
Sula, Montana.
Source: Getting there
What if Medicine Point Lookout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Crazy Creek Campground (2 mi, first-come), Warm Springs Campground (4.1 mi, first-come), and Spring Gulch (5.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby