Medicine Point Lookout
Bitterroot National Forest — riverside, hiking
Location: SULA, MT, MT
Price: From $30 per night
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 (7 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/medicine-point-lookout to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1940s-era lookout tower on a mountain peak with spectacular views of western Montana wilderness near the scenic Bitterroot River. Google reviewers consistently rate it 5/5, calling it one of the best lookouts in Montana.
Wildlife alert: Bighorn Sheep, Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Lazuli Bunting, Pine Siskin, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Bushy-tailed Woodrat, Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Bullsnake, Northern Rubber Boa
Insider tips for Medicine Point Lookout: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand Only 1 site available, so competition is steep Portions of the trail are steep; be prepared for elevation gain
Skip Medicine Point Lookout if: You require hookups — no hookups available. You need flexibility outside May-October season. You have mobility limitations due to steep trail access.
Best time to visit Medicine Point Lookout: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Twogood Cabin (SULA, MT), Spring Gulch (Sula, MT), Indian Trees Campground (Sula Ranger District, MT), Rombo (DARBY, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Medicine Point Lookout
Cell signal at Medicine Point Lookout (SULA, MT): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Only 1 site available, so competition is steep
Portions of the trail are steep; be prepared for elevation gain
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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. The trail to the tower is approximately 3.5 miles and is quite steep along some portions, gaining 2,000 feet of elevation.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Bitterroot National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Bitterroot National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Medicine Point Lookout cost per night?+
What season is Medicine Point Lookout open?+
Does Medicine Point Lookout have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Medicine Point Lookout?+
How do I make reservations at Medicine Point Lookout?+
What is the cell service like at Medicine Point Lookout?+
What season is Medicine Point Lookout open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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