Calamity Butte Lo
This is an active staffed fire lookout, not available for overnight stays or camping. Visitors may drive to the site for day-use viewing when roads are passable, typically late spring through fall depending on snow conditions.
Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 8:47PM MDT by NWS Boise ID
* WHAT...High concentration of smoke particulates from wildfire smoke. * WHERE...Harney County. * WHEN...UNTIL 11 AM PDT WEDNESDAY. * IMPACTS...Smoke can irritate the eyes, lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk to adverse health effects include infants, young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and pregnant women. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ's Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.
Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 8:40PM MDT by NWS Boise ID
* WHAT...High concentration of smoke particulates from wildfire smoke. * WHERE...Harney County. * WHEN...UNTIL 11 AM PDT WEDNESDAY. * IMPACTS...Smoke can irritate the eyes, lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk to adverse health effects include infants, young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and pregnant women. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ's Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.
Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 7:21PM MDT by NWS Boise ID
* WHAT...High concentration of smoke particulates from wildfire smoke. * WHERE...Harney County. * WHEN... UNTIL 11 AM PDT WEDNESDAY. * IMPACTS...Smoke can irritate the eyes, lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk to adverse health effects include infants, young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and pregnant women. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ's Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.
About
Calamity Butte Lookout sits at 6,695 feet elevation in Oregon's Malheur National Forest. Unlike many historic lookouts that have been converted to rentals, Calamity Butte remains an active fire detection facility staffed during fire season. The current 50-foot pole tower with its distinctive octagonal cab was completed in 2001, though the original 1927 D5 cabin was preserved and remains on site alongside an old garage/shed. Access is via Forest Road 28 east to Road 2860, which climbs for approximately 2.5 miles before a sharp right turn onto Road 155 for the final half mile. The road is rough and rocky but passable by standard high-clearance vehicles. The Malheur National Forest does offer one lookout for public rental (Fall Mountain Lookout), but Calamity Butte is not among the rentable facilities.
Directions
From John Day, take Forest Road 28 east. Turn onto Road 2860 and climb for approximately 2.5 miles. Turn sharply right onto Road 155 for the final half mile to the lookout. Road is rough and rocky; high-clearance vehicle recommended.
Amenities
| Water | — |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | — |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | — |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 575-3000 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!