Campsite #1 at Girard Ridge Lookout, CA

@DanielB4603573 · Camped on Aug 30, 2024 at Campsite #1

Such a cozy old lookout cabin! The drive is long, and 4WD high clearance is required, as stated. This lookout feels old and tired, but in an authentic way. Beautiful evergreens surround it, and there's a nice fire ring next to it. This has clearly never been "restored", but it has been maintained just enough to say that it has survived. Just treat it kindly and step carefully on the deck. One of the beds is much more comfortable than the other, there's a good stock of cleaning supplies and games and books. Compared to Hirz Mountain lookout, which feels industrial and serious, this one feels like a family cabin in the woods. Both are great, but this one is much easier to get to.

@ElizabethM1936 · Camped on Jun 24, 2024 at Campsite #1

Beautiful lookout overall however, people seem to forget that if you pack it in, you need to pack it out!!!!!!!! Spent the majority of my arrival cleaning up trash around the lookout- used paper plates, candy wrappers, skewers, bottles, cans, litter, etc thrown everywhere. Disgusting. Inside the pit toilet was actually pristine compared to the surroundings. Inside the lookout well, I was greeted by more trash and a nest filled with four baby mice inside the tall wooden cabinet. A previous review advised of a nest but no observation of mice. A fuller sized mouse arrived a bit later on the catwalk as I was cleaning the inside of the lookout. You really cant blame the family of mice for shacking up in the lookout since they had a vast array of trash to feast from. Unfortunately, I wasnt going to spend the rest of my day and evening picking up crap that other people didnt want to properly dispose and I wasnt going to attempt to relocate the mouse family. As my frustration grew, I grabbed some photos of Shasta and Crags, hopped in my 4x4 and drove off into the sunset.

@KatiB4199460 · Camped on Jun 15, 2024 at Campsite #1

Really nice lookout, amazing views. Very bare bones lookout, two metal-framed twin beds with very old vinyl spring mattresses, one table, three chairs (one in disrepair) a sideboard and a cupboard. Despite information on the USFS website this lookout does NOT have a wood burning stove but DOES have an outdoor fire pit. At the time of our reservation (early June) they were in low fire danger so fires were allowed outside in the pit but we never ended up having one due to evening winds. The road up wasn't as bad as some have expressed (made it up just fine in a RAV4) but there may have been recent roadwork due to all the logging that has happened on the way up. Cleaning products are available in the cabinet (windex, pine-sol, disinfectants) and while we saw no evidence of active rodents the drawers of the cabinet had a nest and lots of mouse feces in the drawers/cupboards. Decent pit toilet, though the toilet is not secured to the floor so be careful! Low on TP, bring your own! We did a day hike at Castle Crags, would recommend.

@JessicaG555444 · Camped on Oct 4, 2023 at Campsite #1

Seriously so magical! The drive up is a bit a bit sketchy. I had an AWD car but wouldve felt more comfortable in something a bit more capable. Its 6 miles up but a 45 minute drive. Once your up though its so worth the breathtaking views and incredible stars. Would definitely come back!

@BruceJ5384338 · Camped on Oct 11, 2022 at Campsite #1

My 4th visit to this lookout... truly a magical place

@JadenC8721982 · Camped on Sep 25, 2022 at Campsite #1

Such an amazing place. It was so surreal being up in the clouds. Amazing views!! Can’t wait to go back next year.
Other than waking up early to random people in our camp yelling at us that you can’t own the forest and they don’t have to leave even though they walked through a locked gate. (Maybe putting up a sign that says reservations only?) it was absolutely perfect!

@DarrellJ583560 · Camped on Sep 28, 2021 at Campsite #1

Amazing view. We loved our visit and wish that we could have stayed longer.

It would be great to provide a trash drop-off somewhere along the way out so that visitors don't have to lug their garbage all the way back home. You could put a combination lock on it as well.

DJ

@DarrellJ977 · Camped on Sep 28, 2021 at Campsite #1

Amazing view. We loved our visit and wish that we could have stayed longer.

It would be great to provide a trash drop-off somewhere along the way out so that visitors don't have to lug their garbage all the way back home. You could put a combination lock on it as well.

DJ

@JRS9097950 · Camped on Aug 17, 2021 at Campsite #1

Amazing experience even though the smoke from some of the wildfires moved in for a couple days, still I would highly recommend staying here.

@JRS537 · Camped on Aug 17, 2021 at Campsite #1

Amazing experience even though the smoke from some of the wildfires moved in for a couple days, still I would highly recommend staying here.

@MarkS213 · Camped on Aug 9, 2021 at Campsite #1

Loved being here again! Sweet Girard Ridge Lookout, love you so much. Unfortunately we lost the view of Shasta and Castle Crags entirely as they were shrouded in smokey haze. We also had an encounter with a mouse in the cabin. So cute but.....yikes. The mouse disappeared into a hole in the floor below the door hinge. Found the remains of the Girard Hill lookout and telephone line poles on butte to ESE of the lookout. This predated the Girard Ridge Lookout and is amazing that there is any remains of it here. Left the lookout a day early due to smokey conditions. Sorry for all of Northern Cal and Southern Oregon, so smokey. Stay safe and enjoy this gem!

@MarkS8760847 · Camped on Aug 9, 2021 at Campsite #1

Loved being here again! Sweet Girard Ridge Lookout, love you so much. Unfortunately we lost the view of Shasta and Castle Crags entirely as they were shrouded in smokey haze. We also had an encounter with a mouse in the cabin. So cute but.....yikes. The mouse disappeared into a hole in the floor below the door hinge. Found the remains of the Girard Hill lookout and telephone line poles on butte to ESE of the lookout. This predated the Girard Ridge Lookout and is amazing that there is any remains of it here. Left the lookout a day early due to smokey conditions. Sorry for all of Northern Cal and Southern Oregon, so smokey. Stay safe and enjoy this gem!

@RobertS9225788 · Camped on Jul 14, 2021 at Campsite #1

Very cool look out. It was really nice how secluded it was. The only negative I would say is that it would be nice if someone would take care of those hornets nest‘s that are all along the deck underneath. Other than that is was a great stay

@roberts110 · Camped on Jul 14, 2021 at Campsite #1

Very cool look out. It was really nice how secluded it was. The only negative I would say is that it would be nice if someone would take care of those hornets nest‘s that are all along the deck underneath. Other than that is was a great stay

@AliciaR284 · Camped on Jun 27, 2021 at Campsite #1

Beautiful views, very hot and lots of bees. Be prepared with lots of water and any battery operated fans. Overall a great experience though.

@AliciaR9399917 · Camped on Jun 27, 2021 at Campsite #1

Beautiful views, very hot and lots of bees. Be prepared with lots of water and any battery operated fans. Overall a great experience though.

@Aniruddha43113 · Camped on Aug 14, 2020 at Campsite #1

Excellent views of Mt. Shasta during the day and a sky full of stars at night. One of the best views of Shasta. The property is well maintained and the toilets were clean. Please bring adequate cleaning supplies.
The unpaved road is for 6 miles. High ground clearance vehicle is recommended but a sedan will also work just fine.
Do not miss taking a dip in Sacramento River after exiting I5N. On a hot sunny day, when temperatures can go north of 100, its a life saver.

@AniruddhaJ831 · Camped on Aug 14, 2020 at Campsite #1

Excellent views of Mt. Shasta during the day and a sky full of stars at night. One of the best views of Shasta. The property is well maintained and the toilets were clean. Please bring adequate cleaning supplies.
The unpaved road is for 6 miles. High ground clearance vehicle is recommended but a sedan will also work just fine.
Do not miss taking a dip in Sacramento River after exiting I5N. On a hot sunny day, when temperatures can go north of 100, its a life saver.

@ManonN322 · Camped on Aug 8, 2020 at Campsite #1

We stayed at Girard Ridge Lookout for 3 nights and this was the most amazing camping experience we've ever had ! The views are breathtaking, and the lookout is so remote that you feel like you have the world to yourself up there. I actually booked the lookout before the pandemic, and I am so glad I did as I can't think of a better social distancing vacation than this. Our only regret is not taking the dog... The weather forecast said 100F in Dunsmuir and Mount Shasta which would have been too much for her, but it was cooler at the lookout and there was a breeze, plus constant shade moving around the tower, so she would definitely have enjoyed it too. There are some cleaning supplied up there for you to clean up upon checkin and checkout. There are mattresses, but don't forget your bed sheets and pillows ! Also be sure to bring plenty of water as there is none up there. Don't forget the mosquito repellent / candles for the evenings. High clearance vehicle highly recommended to drive up the 30 minute dirt road to the lookout. A lower car could do it, but there are a few sections with potholes. Last but not least, please make sure you clean up your garbage when you leave ! We picked a few beer bottle caps and cigarette butts around the lookout, as well as a few empty gallons of water. Be respectful of others and leave the place just like you'd like to find it: garbage free.

@ManonN6038847 · Camped on Aug 8, 2020 at Campsite #1

We stayed at Girard Ridge Lookout for 3 nights and this was the most amazing camping experience we've ever had ! The views are breathtaking, and the lookout is so remote that you feel like you have the world to yourself up there. I actually booked the lookout before the pandemic, and I am so glad I did as I can't think of a better social distancing vacation than this. Our only regret is not taking the dog... The weather forecast said 100F in Dunsmuir and Mount Shasta which would have been too much for her, but it was cooler at the lookout and there was a breeze, plus constant shade moving around the tower, so she would definitely have enjoyed it too. There are some cleaning supplied up there for you to clean up upon checkin and checkout. There are mattresses, but don't forget your bed sheets and pillows ! Also be sure to bring plenty of water as there is none up there. Don't forget the mosquito repellent / candles for the evenings. High clearance vehicle highly recommended to drive up the 30 minute dirt road to the lookout. A lower car could do it, but there are a few sections with potholes. Last but not least, please make sure you clean up your garbage when you leave ! We picked a few beer bottle caps and cigarette butts around the lookout, as well as a few empty gallons of water. Be respectful of others and leave the place just like you'd like to find it: garbage free.

@RobertA192 · Camped on Jul 9, 2020 at Campsite #1

Second time staying here - just an incredible view. Make sure to plan to watch the sunset and sunrise. You won’t be disappointed. Clean and very quiet place.

@TaimurL690 · Camped on Jun 4, 2020 at Campsite #1

The most beautiful campsite to ever exist! Probably the best views too. Bring some cleaning supplies as the place may need a bit of tidying up when you get there.

@TaimurL4929049 · Camped on Jun 4, 2020 at Campsite #1

The most beautiful campsite to ever exist! Probably the best views too. Bring some cleaning supplies as the place may need a bit of tidying up when you get there.

@BonnieT309 · Camped on Sep 25, 2019 at Campsite #1

I saw an opening for one night and grabbed it. Beautiful view of Mt Shasta and Castle Crags.

@CatherineK167 · Camped on Aug 31, 2019 at Campsite #1

amazing views and sunsets.