Crystal Creek Campground

About this campsite

Campground: Crystal Creek Campground. Operated by USFS.

Location

Crystal Creek Campground•MT

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

THU☁️

14° / 2°

💧 2%

FRI☁️

16° / 5°

💧 1%

SAT☁️

17° / 4°

—

SUN☀️

20° / 7°

—

TODAY☁️

21° / 9°

💧 1%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

600m away

Mud Lake Campground

Campground: Mud Lake Campground.

12.9 km away

GIRD POINT

Overview 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. 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. Facilities 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. Bedding, including mattress pads, is not provided. 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. 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. Nearby Attractions 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.

14.3 km away

Morrison Camp

Campground: Morrison Camp.

14.5 km away

West Fork Of Rock Creek Cabin (MT)

Overview The West Fork of Rock Creek Cabin is located on the western edge of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and is open for reservations year-round. It is a large cabin that provides a great experience in the mountains of southwestern Montana. The cabin offers access to numerous trails and wildlife viewing, as well as a comfortable place to picnic and spend the nights. The West Fork of Rock Creek is located just behind the cabin and is great spot to go fishing or take a quick dip to cool off in the warm summer months. There are three cabins at the site, which was once used as a Forest Service Guard Station and later as a youth camp. Only the large cabin has been restored and is available to the public. The smaller cabins are damaged and are not currently available to rent. The site can typically be accessed by vehicle, depending on conditions. Excessive snowfall may require renters to walk about 200 yards from the plowed highway to the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring all of their own amenities. This is a historic structure and is brought to you as a rental by the US Forest Service Historical Preservation Committee, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Pintler Ranger District. Please help us keep it nice for future generations and respect the historic nature of this cabin. Recreation A variety of hiking is available in the area, as well as ample wildlife viewing. Visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in the winter. The cabin is about 45 minutes from Discovery Ski area as well. There is great hiking in open sage across the highway from the cabin, but there is no trail. Fishing is popular in the many clear mountain streams adjacent to the cabin, and the blue ribbon trout stream Rock Creek is nearby. Anglers may see plentiful trout populations, as the area is known for some of the world's finest trout streams. It is illegal to target Bull Trout, if caught they must be released immediately with minimal handling. Participants must have Montana licenses to hunt or fish. The cabin is located along the scenic Skalkaho Highway 38, which links Hamilton and Philipsburg, in southwestern Montana. The drive into the Sapphire Mountains is primitive and was once a trail widely used by Native Americans. The roadway was built to provide access between mining areas and agricultural communities in the Bitterroot Valley. The road leads to Skalkaho Falls in the nearby Bitterroot National Forest; the road is closed to wheeled vehicle traffic in the winter, and is accessible by snow machine. Facilities This two story log cabin has beds and table settings for up to 6 guests. The cabin has electrical lights, oven, refrigerator, baseboard heater, and outlets. It has a oak table and chairs in the dining room, a large couch and rocking chair in the living room, and various tables and chairs located through out. A wood stove is located downstairs. We recommend bringing along a personal water filter for the water pump on site, or bring your own drinking water. Water from the stream must be filtered or treated prior to consumption. The kitchen has a counter top, cupboards, sink, plates, bowls, cups, silverware for 6 people, pots, pans, cast iron, french press, kitchen utensils (spatula, large spoon, knives, cutting board, can opener, cheese grater), sponges/scour pads, Battery Powered LED Lantern (D batteries), mop, broom, washbasins, dish rack, splitting maul, hatchet, cleaning products, and rags. Paper towels, matches, toilet paper, garbage bags, newspaper, and hand sanitizer are stocked monthly. There is a picnic table and fire ring located outside. The entrance is gated and locked with a combination code to provide guests privacy. There is a very large parking area and circle driveway beside