Calpine Lookout
Open — Open year-round for reservations via Recreation.gov. Summer drive-in access available. Winter access requires snowshoes, skis, or snowmobile for 2-mile trail with 1,000-foot elevation gain when road is closed due to snow.
From Recreation.gov
All reservations for Cal Pine Lookout are now $75 per night. This fee change will help Tahoe National Forest maintain and restore the historic lookout. These fees are directly used to operate, maintain and improve the site. Thank you for your continued assistance in caring for these special places.
PRESCRIBED FIRE NOTICE: Nyack - 200 acres
Total acreage: 200 Ignition dates: Dec. 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026 Location: Forest Service Rd. 19 between Fulda Creek and North Fork Campground, County Rd. 6001K between Casa Loma recreation cabins and Euchre Bar Trailhead
North Yuba Trail Closure
Forest Service Trail 9E06 (North Yuba Trail) between the Mountain House Road (County Rd 300) and Ramshorn is closed.
Sierraville Ranger District Trail Closure
Forest Trail 16E87 (Boca-Loyalton Trail) is closed for public health and safety.
Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety and toprotect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Truckee and Sierraville Ranger
Rattlesnake Road Closure
The purpose of this closure is to provide for public safety along the closed roads in light of their proximity to the Lake Fordyce Dam during dam reconstruction activities.
Highway 20 Area Camping Restrictions
To provide for public safety and to protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Tahoe National Forest.
Cabin Creek Sale Closure
To provide for public safety and to protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Tahoe National Forest.
Sand Pond Trail Boardwalk Closure
The Sand Pond Interpretive Trail is partially closed for visitor safety per Forest Order 17-24-17.
14-day Camping Occupancy Restrictions
Camping on the Tahoe National Forest is limited to 14 days in a calendar year.
Hoke Valley- Forest Road 860-07 (17E11 Trail) Closed
Forest Road 860 -01 (17E11 Trail) in the Hoke Valley area has been closed to allow for Hoke Valley Meadow restoration.
About
Calpine Lookout is a historic forest fire lookout tower constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It stands as one of only three remaining examples of the enclosed windmill-style lookout in California. The lookout was actively used every summer until 1975 for fire detection. Today, this three-story structure with external stairs serves as a unique rental facility, with the top observation cab as the only rentable space. The 14x14 interior cab comes equipped with two twin beds, a dry sink, table and chairs, propane lights, propane heater, propane stove/oven, and a fire finder. A limited assortment of cooking utensils, pots, and pans are provided. At the base of the tower, renters will find an accessible vault toilet, picnic table, and fire ring. The lookout has no electricity or water, so visitors must bring their own supply along with bedding, groceries, toilet paper, and personal items. Perched at 5,980 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains approximately 40 miles from Truckee, the lookout offers spectacular mountaintop views of Sierra Valley, Haskell Peak to the west, Nevada to the east, and Lassen Peak to the far northwest. Wildlife is abundant in the area, and on clear nights, renters can observe an endless galaxy of stars and meteorites. During summer months, visitors can drive directly to the base of the tower. In winter, when the access road is closed due to snow and ice, the lookout requires a 2-mile approach by snowshoes, skis, or snowmobile with a 1,000-foot elevation gain. Winter temperatures can drop as low as -21 degrees.
Directions
From Sierraville, travel approximately 10 miles north on State Highway 89. Renters receive check-in packet with access details based on current conditions. Winter access requires parking in Calpine and using snowshoes, skis, or snowmobile for 2-mile trail with 1,000-foot elevation gain.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $75 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (530) 994-3401 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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