Gold Butte Lookout

About

Gold Butte Lookout sits on the summit of Gold Butte at 4,618 feet elevation in Willamette National Forest, offering one of Oregon's most spectacular panoramic viewpoints. Built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this historic structure served as an Aircraft Warning System station during World War II, staffed around the clock by husband-and-wife teams reporting all passing aircraft to central command. The 14x14-foot wood cabin stands on 3-foot stilts and is surrounded by glass windows with an exterior catwalk providing unobstructed 360-degree views of the Cascade Range, including Mt. Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Hood, and the Three Sisters. The cabin is furnished with refurbished period furniture including one twin bed with mattress, three folding cots, table, bench, chair, cabinet, and fire-finder stand. A wood stove provides heat, and a propane cookstove is available (bring your own bottled propane). Guests must be prepared for a primitive experience: no water, electricity, or refrigeration. The final half-mile from the parking area requires hiking on steep, difficult terrain. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the rough gravel access road. Seasonal wildflowers and wild huckleberries grow nearby, and the adjacent Bull of the Woods, Opal Creek, and Mt. Jefferson Wilderness areas offer excellent day hiking opportunities.

Directions

From Detroit Ranger Station, drive east on Highway 22 toward Detroit. Directly after crossing the bridge, turn left onto Forest Service Road 46 (Breitenbush). Drive FSR 46 for about 4 miles to FSR 4696. Turn left (northeast) onto FSR 4696 and drive about three-quarters of a mile to FSR 4697. Turn left (north) onto FSR 4697 and drive about 5 miles to the saddle. Turn right onto FSR 451 and proceed to the first right (FSR 453). Proceed through the gate approximately half a mile to the parking area at the second green gate. The last 2 miles are rough gravel and dirt at 10% grade; low-clearance vehicles not recommended. The lookout is approximately half a mile from the parking area via a steep trail to the summit.