Oregon / Josephine County / Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Bolan Mountain Lookout

Closed — Closed for winter season. Typically available for rental during snow-free season, generally July through September. Early summer access can be hampered by late season snowpack. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

Bolan Mountain Lookout stands as a testament to community resilience and forest heritage in the rugged Siskiyou Mountains of southwest Oregon. Originally constructed in 1925 and rebuilt in 1954, this beloved fire lookout served as a staffed Forest Service facility until the 2000s before becoming available for public rental. After being completely destroyed in the September 2020 Slater Fire, the lookout was painstakingly reconstructed in 2024 through an extraordinary partnership between the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and the Siskiyou Mountain Club, with volunteers and staff contributing over 2,000 hours of labor and hauling 15,000 pounds of materials to the remote site. The 14x14 foot glass-windowed cabin provides unparalleled 360-degree views of some of Oregon's most spectacular wilderness terrain. From the lookout, visitors can see the Red Buttes Wilderness, Siskiyou Wilderness, Kalmiopsis Wilderness, Preston Peak, and on clear days, whitecaps on the Pacific Ocean to the west, Mount Shasta to the southeast, and Mount McLoughlin to the east. At night, the complete absence of light pollution creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. The lookout accommodates up to four people for a maximum of three consecutive nights and offers a primitive experience with steep access stairs, vault toilet, basic furnishings, and no running water. Nearby Bolan Lake, a 12-acre high mountain lake stocked with trout and surrounded by conifer forest, is accessible via the Bolan Lake Trail.

Directions

From Cave Junction, travel south on Highway 199 for 6.4 miles to Happy Camp Road (Forest Service Road 48). Turn left and travel 17.3 miles to Forest Road 4812. Turn left and travel 4.1 miles to the junction of Forest Road 4812-040. Turn left and travel 1.1 miles to Forest Road 535. Turn right and travel 1.6 miles to the lookout. Forest Road 535 is gated and requires a combination lock code provided with reservations. High-clearance vehicle with 4WD or AWD is recommended. Early summer access can be hampered by late season snowpack. Parking is available just below the lookout with 30-40 steep, uneven steps up to the cabin.

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