Oregon / Wasco County / Mount Hood National Forest

Fivemile Butte Lookout

Open — Open year-round for reservations via Recreation.gov. Forest Service Roads 44 and 4430 are closed to vehicles over 48 inches wide from December 1 through April 1, requiring visitors to park at Billy Bob Sno-Park and ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile approximately 3 miles to the lookout. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking at the Sno-Park from November 1 through April 30. Maximum stay is 7 consecutive nights.

About

Fivemile Butte Lookout stands as a historic fire lookout tower in the Mount Hood National Forest, offering visitors a unique opportunity to stay atop a 40-foot tower surrounded by dense forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and western hemlock. Originally established in the 1920s, the current R-6 Flat Top style structure dates to 1957 after earlier versions were destroyed by heavy snow. The 14x14 foot cabin is accessed by stairs and features a wooden catwalk encircling the structure, providing stellar views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The cabin is furnished with a single bed, table, chair, wood stove for heating, propane cook stove, and solar lighting system. A rope and pulley system makes hauling gear up the tower straightforward, and firewood is provided in a nearby shed. An outhouse is located at ground level, along with a fire ring for campfires. The lookout accommodates up to four people and includes space for tent camping near the base of the tower. The location provides access to numerous trails including the nearby Eightmile Trail, which winds through riparian areas, old growth pine forests, and wildflower meadows. Wildlife is abundant, with frequent sightings of elk, deer, wild turkeys, grouse, Steller's jays, and occasional coyotes, cougars, and bears. During winter months, the area becomes a popular destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, with the lookout serving as a backcountry basecamp in a shared winter recreation area.

Directions

From Dufur, travel west on Dufur Valley Road for approximately 18 miles to the junction of Forest Service Roads 44 and 4430 at Billy Bob Sno-Park. Follow FSR 44 to the junction of FSR 4430 and turn right onto FSR 4430-120, then turn left and follow to spur road 122. Unlock the gate (left open in winter) and follow road 122 approximately 3 miles to the lookout. The route is marked with orange and blue diamond blazers but is not plowed, signed, or patrolled. From December 1 through April 1, the road is closed to vehicles over 48 inches wide and requires skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling from Billy Bob Sno-Park.

Nearby Campgrounds