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Umpqua National Forest › Tiller Ranger District › Oregon
› Douglas County
› Tiller
› Pickett Butte Lookout
› Campsite #1
Campsite #1 at Pickett Butte Lookout, OR
$40
Cabin Site #1
| Drive-In | 4 people |
| 4 | good |
6/8
Campsite #1 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, Picnic Table, Cabin Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (25)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 80% |
| 4 star | | 8% |
| 3 star | | 4% |
| 2 star | | 4% |
| 1 star | | 4% |
@SamanthaS141D5 · Camped on Apr 1, 2025 at Campsite #1
What a great experience the two nights we stayed at the beginning of April. This is my second time in a lookout tower, but the first in which I had to climb up a significant set of stairs to get to the tower itself. Part of the allure is the remoteness, but if you're craving some restaurant food, Canyonville is about 45 minutes away.We loved pouring over old logbooks - the lore runs deep here! From "deerman" to "her" and everything in between, iykyk. They're full of useful tips as well, like hanging your bags of food to mitigate ants (which we did see a few of). We also spent time hunting morels in the nearby burns to no avail, enjoying the sunsets, and embracing being wrapped low-lying clouds.Some tips and things we found helpful that no one mentioned in any reviews we read:- While you're instructed to bring potable water and there are pots/pans/utensils, there's no basin for washing in the tower. We would have been served well with a collapsible sink system.- You'll read stories of carrying dogs up and down the stairs. We found that with our 30lb dog, he felt much more comfortable going down the stairs on his own with me as a backstop of sorts. While it was slow going, it was faster and easier than trying to carry him down backward (yes, the stairs are steep enough to warrant a backward descent).- Surprisingly, much of our supplies and equipment fit in the milk crate that serves as a dumbwaiter. Using it to the fullest extent made climbing the stairs much easier.- Poison oak is all over the area, as well as ticks. We didn't suffer either fates, but many log entries talk about it.Enjoy your time away at Pickett Butte! We'll certainly be back.
@KathleenM78273 · Camped on Feb 1, 2025 at Campsite #1
Beautiful scenery, quiet and serene. The stairs leading to the lookout are steeper than others I've been to but worth the climb! Enjoyed some cool wintery mornings looking out over the misty range.The local rangers have your back! They had excellent communication with when there was a downed tree on the roadway to the tower.
@SarahM1574964 · Camped on Jan 18, 2025 at Campsite #1
We had the absolutely best time, the weather was amazing, the facility was wonderful, and the views- indescribable! The ladders were steep indeed, made for strategic trips up and down. The Oven did not work for the entirety of our trip but we were able to make due, however the heater works incredibly well, thankfully! The opportunities for adventuring without driving are limited. Enjoy the space and her beautiful surroundings as they are. Star gazing was amazing!
@DonM8133900 · Camped on May 19, 2024 at Campsite #1
So quiet and the views spectacular!! Every thing worked with the exception of the oven a new pilot light sensor I think is needed. Enjoyed reading the journals and the collection of history. Bubbles will now be a lookout must, thank you Carter Family!!
@Angelique62703 · Camped on Apr 11, 2024 at Campsite #1
We had a great time at Pickett Butte. The weather was wonderful and the setting is just gorgeous. We were able to drive right up to the lookout and had no problems with the gate or lookout locks. The lookout is in good condition and we enjoyed the beautiful views, peaceful setting and star-filled skies. The one downside is that the stairs here are very steep, more like a ladder than stairs at the other lookouts that we've stayed at. Overall, though, I'd recommend it.
@JaydeH4F0CBD31 · Camped on Mar 5, 2024 at Campsite #1
Best heater in all the land! Arrived in 3.5 feet of snow, only by the grace of snow built rigs and a winch. It was amazing being in a winter wonderland
@CelesteMFA1F0B · Camped on Feb 19, 2024 at Campsite #1
Had a wonderful stay at this lookout! Road was snow-free and passable in my 24-year-old minivan (not 4 wheel drive) with no issues. 360 Views are amazing. Pulley system was super helpful-you'll want both hands free for climbing those steep stairs! Heater, stove & fridge all worked great and I was pleasantly surprised at how comfy the bed is. Outhouse was clean & well-stocked (although someone had gone right outside the outhouse & left dirty TP on the ground...WHYYYYYY?!) Definitely recommend this place, I'll be back for sure :)
@MelanieR519D8E · Camped on Nov 23, 2023 at Campsite #1
We were pleasantly surprised by the ease of the amenities and comfort of the double bed. It was warm, cozy, and the sunrise was incredible. Dont make our mistake and put picket butte in your gps or you will end up on some sketchy roads probably made for off road vehicles. Stay on the well maintained gravel roads! They give detailed instructions in the reservation email on how to get here and use the locks- screenshot these as you wont have service until you get to the lookout.
@KatrinaM670132 · Camped on Nov 21, 2023 at Campsite #1
Could not have been more pleased with our experience. The forest ranger was helpful when calling prior to our stay. The GPS will try and take you down another forest road, stay on 3133. The lookout was sparkly clean and well stocked. All propane lights worked, as well as the heater, stove and fridge. We stayed two nights and it was plenty of time to soak in the solitude and incredible sunrises/sunsets. Highly recommend!
@RobinG2259000 · Camped on May 10, 2023 at Campsite #1
Poison oak and ticks everywhere. Bring lots of water. Views are phenomenal! Mattress is surprisingly comfortable, fridge and oven/stove work very well. We only had phone reception when in the tower
@Elizabeth39763 · Camped on May 1, 2023 at Campsite #1
Mouse poop everywhere: inside and outside. After traveling 250 miles to get there we left after an hour. Extremely disappointed no previous renters had called it in to the Ranger Station. Our 3 night stay was useless.
@RegisK9620075 · Camped on Apr 6, 2023 at Campsite #1
Lookout is sparse, but clean. No electricity. Would be nice to have solar to at least provide charging for electronic devices.
Need to post instructions for the propane lanterns.
Need to post instructions for the propane lanterns.
@JonathanE40733 · Camped on Feb 3, 2023 at Campsite #1
The guests before us broke a window and left broken glass all over the lookout. They also did not follow the instructions for leaving the pilot light on in the heater. Other than those items the lookout was in pretty good shape and clean. There was almost no snow at the lookout.
@AverieF2556317 · Camped on Jan 21, 2023 at Campsite #1
As of 1/23 you could drive to the lookout with a subi crosstrek without troubles. Woke up above the clouds both days, stayed plenty warm, and all appliances were working. Great lookout!
Just FYI: There are few pans, and one small pot. The stairs are very shallow and steep, and I used my hands to help get up. You need to know this if you're thinking about bringing a dog you can't carry. The logs at the lookout stated that multiple larger dogs couldn't make it down the stairs and put their people in a pickle. According to the logs there were lots of ticks in January, but we stayed on the road mainly and didn't have a dog and we didn't get any.
Just FYI: There are few pans, and one small pot. The stairs are very shallow and steep, and I used my hands to help get up. You need to know this if you're thinking about bringing a dog you can't carry. The logs at the lookout stated that multiple larger dogs couldn't make it down the stairs and put their people in a pickle. According to the logs there were lots of ticks in January, but we stayed on the road mainly and didn't have a dog and we didn't get any.
@SierraB9584562 · Camped on Nov 12, 2022 at Campsite #1
We had a two day reservation for pickett butte and we were very happy with our stay. We were slightly worried about snow but that was no problem. I don’t think this LO gets snow often. We loved the propane amenities. Stove, oven, lights, and heater worked great! We didn’t try the fridge. The steps were very steep and icy in the mornings. Crater lake is a 2.5 hour drive away. We had enough service to check the crater lake cameras to see it was clear and decided to make the drive. The road to the LO has got to be the quickest and easiest LO road I’ve ever been on. No need for high clearance IMO. The LO has a pulley which was a lifesaver, but we did have to bring up the cooler by stairs. The outhouse isn’t too bad. Please don’t poo on the ride of the road below the lookout. Someone did right before us and it’s really not necessary. The outhouse is fine. At least hide it or bury it.
@JedidiahM25182 · Camped on Oct 24, 2022 at Campsite #1
It was awesome!
@JamesH5225020 · Camped on May 8, 2022 at Campsite #1
Was very clean and a great place to get away for a couple of days. Definitely want to go back again
@BaileeO6023956 · Camped on Feb 22, 2022 at Campsite #1
Amazing as always!
@SkylerS3531904 · Camped on Feb 14, 2022 at Campsite #1
Excellent experience, easy to get in and the facilities worked great. We stayed very warm up here in the middle of February
@DannyH8622772 · Camped on Feb 9, 2022 at Campsite #1
Beautiful views. Lookout was exactly as described. Everything was in great working condition. Being able to drive up to the lookout tower was convenient. Did a side trip to Crater Lake for snowshoeing which was fun. Looking forward to my next trip
@YukikoT7349337 · Camped on Dec 31, 2021 at Campsite #1
It must have been one of the rare occasions mentioned for the winter, we were in winter wonderland. Snow hiked 3 miles on Rd 3113 then snowshoed 2 miles to the lookout on 300. With a high clearance vehicle with good stud tires, maybe you can go up till the split but there was knee deep snow.
Worth the hard work to get there though. Gorgeous view and very quiet. Stove and heater worked great and mattress was comfortable. Wish we had mor time. Love to come back anytime!
Worth the hard work to get there though. Gorgeous view and very quiet. Stove and heater worked great and mattress was comfortable. Wish we had mor time. Love to come back anytime!
@YukikoT696 · Camped on Dec 31, 2021 at Campsite #1
It must have been one of the rare occasions mentioned for the winter, we were in winter wonderland. Snow hiked 3 miles on Rd 3113 then snowshoed 2 miles to the lookout on 300. With a high clearance vehicle with good stud tires, maybe you can go up till the split but there was knee deep snow.
Worth the hard work to get there though. Gorgeous view and very quiet. Stove and heater worked great and mattress was comfortable. Wish we had mor time. Love to come back anytime!
Worth the hard work to get there though. Gorgeous view and very quiet. Stove and heater worked great and mattress was comfortable. Wish we had mor time. Love to come back anytime!
@WilliamG713 · Camped on Dec 12, 2021 at Campsite #1
Great lookout truly a hidden gem.
@NicholeO798 · Camped on Apr 10, 2021 at Campsite #1
The lookout was awesome. Everything worked and the view was beautiful. The only bad thing was that despite the locked gate on the road, people still walked down to the lookout. One woman even walked up the stairs with my car right out front! I don’t know what is wrong with people, but if there’s a vehicle at a lookout GO AWAY!
@JeffC110 · Camped on Mar 22, 2020 at Campsite #1
PLACE IS AMAZING!
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