Spend The Night On Top Of The World At These 5 Stunning Fire Lookouts In Oregon
Did you know that there are many fire lookout towers in Oregon that are available to rent overnight?
These rustic towers will give you the unique experience of spending the night in the clouds, high above a stunning Oregon forest. You’ll have a 360 degree panoramic view of the surrounding wilderness; miles and miles of evergreen-covered hills, ribboned with shimmering rivers. Not to mention the amazing stars that’ll light up the sky on a clear night.
You’ll want to book a rental far in advance, as the slots tend to fill up quickly. Here are a few of the many amazing fire towers that are available to rent at various times of the year:
Located at the summit of Bald Butte, this lookout offers unbeatable views of the Fremont-Winema National Forest. It's an especially fabulous place for stargazing. The facilities feature lights, a toilet, a bed, a heater, and more, and the going rate is $40.
Located in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, the views from this lookout tower will blow you away. Surrounded by expansive forests, winding rivers, and rolling hills, this 85-year-old tower stands at an elevation of over 3,500 feet. Guests will have access to a heater, refrigerator, lights, a bed, a campfire ring, and more. It costs only $35 per night to rent.
This stunning lookout in the Willamette National Forest was built in the 1930s, and offers breathtaking views of the Cascades. To get to it, you'll have to take a short but steep half-mile trek from the parking area. The lookout - which doesn't have electricity - costs $65 per night.
Located on Clear Lake Butte in the Mt Hood National Forest, this gorgeous lookout cabin is only accessible by snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or skiing 4 miles from the parking lot to the base of the 40-foot tower. Once you arrive, you'll have incredible views of the surrounding mountains and evergreen forests dusted with snow. The cabin costs $50 per night and includes an outhouse, a wood stove, firewood, and more.
Located in the Deschutes National Forest, this incredible lookout tower offers jaw dropping views of Mt. Jefferson, the Metolius River, and more. The cabin has convenient amenities like an overhead light, a refrigerator, a futon bed, a propane stove, and more. It's available to rent during select months of the year for just $40 per night.
You can book a night at one of these amazing lookout towers (or plenty of others) at Recreation.gov.
