Scurvy Mountain Lookout

Scurvy Mountain Lookout is a backcountry wilderness hut set on Scurvy peak (about 6,600 ft) in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests of Idaho. The restored lookout is a 12’ x 12’ wooden “cab” on an 8’ high cinderblock structure with a catwalk, plus a small pit toilet outhouse nearby. The stay is primitive and geared for self-reliant overnighters exploring the remote North Fork Ranger District.

Inside, the hut setup includes one bed, a small table with chairs, two countertop areas with cabinets, and a small modern wood stove. The closest water is a small spring roughly 1/2 mile away on trail #524, and it must be treated before drinking. There is no running water, electricity, or provided linens/cleaning supplies; pack what you need and clean up before checkout using the provided broom under pack-it-in/pack-it-out expectations.

Recreation.gov handles reservations for Scurvy Mountain Lookout, with a rate of $45 per night. Access is remote: it’s about 61 miles northeast of Pierce, Idaho, and the final 4 miles require a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle, followed by an additional 5 miles to the lookout on a multi-use trail. Off-road motorized travel is prohibited, and the approach roads/trails can be blocked by heavy debris or snowpack in the early season, so conditions can limit access.

The lookout sits at the end of trail #524 and overlooks the Moose buttes and drainages including Cayuse and Kelly Cr, with Scurvy Lake in the broader surrounding area. It’s an established base for hiking and other backcountry recreation around the district.