Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin
Currently closed due to safety concerns with the tower structure. Normal operating season is May 6 through October 31. Reservations typically available via Recreation.gov at $40 per night for up to 2 guests.
Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 9:49AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until noon PDT Wednesday. Check with your local health or air agency for current restrictions on woodstove use. There are often exceptions for those who use wood exclusively to heat their homes and those with limited income. People can take the following precautions to protect their health: * Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality. * Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions. * People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high. * Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating ventilation, cooling, and air purification systems. * Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Air Quality Alert issued August 5 at 2:33PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. An Air Quality Advisory for elevated levels of ozone pollution, or smog, is in effect for Hermiston in Umatilla County. Ozone pollution is expected to reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, pregnant people, older adults and people with heart or respiratory conditions. DEQ expected the Air Quality Advisory to last until 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
From Recreation.gov
Fall Mountain Lookout will be unavailable due to safety concerns with the tower structure.
About
Fall Mountain Lookout Tower offers a unique overnight experience in central Oregon's Malheur National Forest, approximately 20 miles south of John Day. Built in 1933 at an elevation of 5,949 feet, this historic fire lookout once served forest personnel who monitored the surrounding landscape for signs of smoke. Today, guests can experience the life of a lookout while enjoying 360-degree views of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness and the towns of Seneca and Mt. Vernon. The 14-by-14-foot cabin sits atop an 18-foot tower accessed by stairs. Unlike most lookouts, Fall Mountain is wired for electricity and equipped with electric lights, heating, a cook stove, and refrigerator. A futon bed, table, and chairs are provided, along with basic kitchen equipment including pots, pans, dishes, and tableware. A vault toilet is located near the tower base. Guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking, and washing, as well as sleeping bags, flashlights, and all food. This is a pack-in-pack-out facility. The access road is exceptionally narrow, rutted, and rough; a high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended. Nearby recreational opportunities include wildlife viewing, huckleberry picking, star gazing, and hiking trails into the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.
Directions
From John Day, travel approximately 15.5 miles south on Highway 395. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 4920. Follow Forest Service Road 4920 approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 607 and continue approximately 1 mile to the lookout. High-clearance vehicle recommended due to narrow, rough road conditions. Do not use Luce Creek Road/County Road 76 as it becomes a private road with a locked gate.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $40 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 820-3800 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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