Fairview Peak Lookout

Closed — Closed for critical infrastructure repair. Check the Forest Service website for updates on reopening.

About

Fairview Peak Lookout Tower stands 53 feet tall atop Fairview Peak at an elevation of 5,933 feet in Oregon's Umpqua National Forest. The site has served as a fire lookout since the 1920s, with the current tower dating to the late 1950s and early 1960s. The lookout offers an awe-inspiring 360-degree vista that is unmatched west of the Cascade Range. On clear days, visitors can see north to Mount Hood, south to Crater Lake and Mount McLoughlin, and east to numerous prominent Cascade peaks. The 15x15-foot one-room cabin is furnished with a futon, table with chairs, propane heater, cook stove, oven, and small refrigerator. Visitors must bring their own cooking utensils, bedding, and all water for drinking, cooking, and washing, as no water is available on site. The tower has no electricity. A vault toilet is provided. The lookout accommodates up to 4 people and is available for $50 per night with a maximum stay of three consecutive nights. Access to Fairview Peak Lookout requires a high-clearance vehicle. From Cottage Grove, the drive covers approximately 43 miles via Row River Road, Brice Creek Road, Noonday Road, Sharps Creek Road, and Fairview Lookout Road. The final mile is steep, rocky, and rough. The road is typically impassable from November to May due to snow. The lookout may be unavailable during peak fire season (usually August and September) when actively staffed for fire detection. Reservations must be made at least two days in advance through Recreation.gov.

Directions

From Cottage Grove, travel east on Row River Road 2400 for 19 miles to Brice Creek Road 2470. Continue on Brice Creek Road for 12 miles to Noonday Road 2212. Turn right on Forest Road 2212 and travel 8.8 miles to Sharps Creek Road 2460. Keep left and travel on Sharps Creek Road 2460 for 1.1 miles to Fairview Lookout Road 2460-773. Turn right and follow for 1.2 miles to the end of the road. The last mile is steep, rocky, and rough. High-clearance vehicles strongly recommended.

Nearby Campgrounds