Mt. Hood National Forest1
Campsite #1 at Clear Lake Cabin Lookout, OR
$50
Cabin Site #1
| 4 people | |
| 10 | good |
5/31
11/1
Campsite #1 Features: Back-In parking, Cabin Site
Campsite Reviews (21)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 67% |
| 4 star | | 19% |
| 3 star | | 5% |
| 2 star | | 5% |
| 1 star | | 5% |
@BlakeS6182394 · Camped on Apr 20, 2025 at Campsite #1
Great stay at the lookout. It was such a treat just to relax, play games, read, cook good meals and explore around! Highly recommend.
@KWE0A5DE985F01 · Camped on Nov 6, 2024 at Campsite #1
The views!! The solitude!! Better stocked and comfortable than expected. The top section of stairs did make my heart race, but everything felt solid and safe. Last bit of road up to lookout isnt marked, has a green gate across it. check at sno-park for a little map that might help, otherwise best of luck getting up there
@SaraA6367063 · Camped on Jan 29, 2024 at Campsite #1
We lucked out an picked up a last minute permit - and the weather was in our favor - STUNNING views of Hood and Jefferson. Cabin had wood and propane stoves & pans & dishes. Easy ski/snowshoe in and out. Nice night sky, including seeing the ski areas lit up on Hood. So much fun and beauty!
@AmyR5823789 · Camped on Nov 2, 2023 at Campsite #1
The gate at the bottom of National Forest Development Rd 240 (Spur 240 listed on the website directions) has a sign stating the gate will be open until December 1, so were able to drive straight up to the fire lookout. If you are going before December 1, there is a good chance you will be able to drive right up to the fire lookout. We planned on having to hike from the Sno-Park as listed on the directions on the website but were pleasantly surprised when we got there and the gate was open! There was plenty of cut firewood on the ground; however, it was freshly cut and very wet from the rain. I am assuming there was more dry firewood in the shed; however, the shed was locked. Outhouse was nice and clean.
@RobertM1452522 · Camped on May 31, 2023 at Campsite #1
Really awesome. Very well taken care of facility. I recommend you bring some disinfecting wipes and leave them there for the next guest. YES there is cell service! NO there is no water, and no stream nearby to make purified water, so bring plenty of bottled water. Also, TIP, bring a cigarette lighter to USB charger to charge your cell phone :) :)
@Angelique62703 · Camped on May 14, 2023 at Campsite #1
We stayed at the Clear Lake Lookout in mid-May 2023. It was an amazing trip! The recent warm weather had melted enough snow on the roads so we could park about a mile down from the sno park and hike in the remaining ~3 mi. It was a tough hike up the road on snow with full packs but totally worth it. The lookout is in great shape with new stairs and a new bed frame (but the mattress is still pretty grotty so bring a sheet to put over it). The views of Hood and Seekseekqua are stunning. The propane mini-fridge was a nice surprise. Overall, a great experience.
@KyungL1170118 · Camped on Mar 6, 2023 at Campsite #1
It was unbelievable. The place was clean, but we did not use any of the cookware available just for health concerns. The cell reception was good for both Verizon and and T Mobile. We did have trouble with the combination lock. We were lucky to have partly sunny skies so we got some amazing views and a very very brief glimpse of Mt Hood.
@BryonyM3717930 · Camped on Feb 26, 2023 at Campsite #1
Winter adventures require knowing your limitations and being well-prepared, so make sure to bring all the essential backpacking gear since you'll be far away from your car! We went up right after a snowstorm, and while the trail wasn't groomed on the way up, it was mostly groomed on the way down. We had to shovel heaps of snow to make stairs for accessing the woodshed and bathroom, as well as clear the stairs and platform. So, be ready to do the same! It took a while for the wood stove to warm up the lookout, but once it did, it became cozy and toasty, and we enjoyed reading the logs. It seemed like no one had made entries for days due to the weather. We had an unexpected visitor past 11 PM who wanted to join us in the lookout for the night, but we kindly pointed out the reservation sign, and they hopped back on their snowmobile and left. The locks on the woodshed and lookout were broken, which we reported to the ranger station. Despite the cloudy weather, it was an amazing experience. This was the 16th lookout I've stayed in, and I highly recommend staying in a fire lookout, especially in winter if you have the skills for it!
(Late review)
(Late review)
@AverieF2556317 · Camped on Feb 19, 2023 at Campsite #1
Great Lookout even thought I only saw the views for a bit. I was able to walk up without my snowshoes because the trail was compressed by snowmobilers and the groomers. I kept the gate down to avoid visitors, there were quite a few visitors. For the next person: bring a tiny sponge. The drinking water pan was getting a little gross but I didn't bring a clean sponge so I used my own pan. Lesson Learned :)
@DavidR6871281 · Camped on Jan 3, 2023 at Campsite #1
First off the cabin is clean and well maintained. The mattress was not bad, no sign of rodents. Plenty of games in there to stay occupied. Amazing views
Lots of snowmobilers even on a weekday, and all wanted to come up and look around. I put the grate down over the stairway to stop the interruptions.
Biggest reason for the two star review was the lack of staffing at the Barlow ranger station. Multiple people in the past two weeks, including myself,have not been able to get the combination lock code due to the station not being staffed. It's not accept, the code should be sent in the reservation email as is done with lookouts in other districts. People are having to ask for help in internet groups, or call other ranger stations to try to get help. The Barlow station finally returnedy call four days later, as I was driving to the lookout. I had finally gotten the code from the sandy headquarters.
Lots of snowmobilers even on a weekday, and all wanted to come up and look around. I put the grate down over the stairway to stop the interruptions.
Biggest reason for the two star review was the lack of staffing at the Barlow ranger station. Multiple people in the past two weeks, including myself,have not been able to get the combination lock code due to the station not being staffed. It's not accept, the code should be sent in the reservation email as is done with lookouts in other districts. People are having to ask for help in internet groups, or call other ranger stations to try to get help. The Barlow station finally returnedy call four days later, as I was driving to the lookout. I had finally gotten the code from the sandy headquarters.
@JenniferB63832 · Camped on Jan 1, 2023 at Campsite #1
Horrible. Don't come here!
@CourtnyR920387 · Camped on Dec 30, 2022 at Campsite #1
I adore this lookout! Well maintained, working appliances, clean, and lots of fire wood in the shed. Always a great stay here, well worth the effort to snowshoeing your gear up the hill.
@RegisK9620075 · Camped on Dec 11, 2022 at Campsite #1
My stay was good. However, I noticed that the inside wood storage was too close to the wood stove - the ends of wood were getting so hot that I had to move it elsewhere out of concern that it would cause a fire during the night.
The rope to haul up gear and wood was soaked and frozen, so nearly useless.
The rope to haul up gear and wood was soaked and frozen, so nearly useless.
@BrookeK7764526 · Camped on Nov 4, 2022 at Campsite #1
Wonderful stormy weekend up at the lookout! The cabin was clean and wood was stocked to keep us warm. Hope to come back and see the mountain views next time.
@HeidiC1401778 · Camped on Apr 11, 2022 at Campsite #1
Magical!! Especially during a winter snowstorm.
@MollieE6887364 · Camped on Mar 27, 2022 at Campsite #1
The cabin was beautiful but very dirty when we got in. There seems to be a confusion as to what is acceptable to leave in the killing bag. Egg shells and food scraps do not make good kindling. People should be better about packing out their own trash. After a deep clean the cabin was perfect and our trip was wonderful.
@RachelH3398655 · Camped on Mar 13, 2022 at Campsite #1
love this place so beautiful up there and if you happen to get up there on cloudless day man the view is breathtaking
@RubensP330 · Camped on Dec 26, 2019 at Campsite #1
The cabin is great. Park your car around 3.5 miles from the cabin It's a hike to the cabin, so be prepared to walk and if you are carrying weight try to use a sledge.
@CharylB790 · Camped on Dec 13, 2019 at Campsite #1
Bring extra towel or something like to clean/dry up wet spots on the floor. Bring extra pair of dry shoes or slippers only used inside cabin.
@LesleyB557 · Camped on Dec 3, 2019 at Campsite #1
What a cool experience! Snowshoed out in early December to stay for a few nights, could’ve stayed much longer! Overshot on the gear, would’ve been just fine with hiking boots and micro-spikes, but, alas, better over-prepared. The views were absolutely spectacular: sunrises, sunsets, passing clouds. Before arriving, had talked about hiking the surrounding area, but once we got there, didn’t want to leave the cozy lookout. Would LOVE to make it back. 10/10 recommend.
@RoddyJ332 · Camped on Nov 22, 2019 at Campsite #1
Had a great time
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