Kelly Butte Lookout
Kelly Butte Lookout is a day-use hiking destination, not a campground. There is no overnight camping or cabin rental available. The lookout is staffed by volunteers from late June through late September. Access roads require high-clearance vehicles; Forest Road 7030 has rocks, dips, and steep drop-offs. A Recreation Pass is required for trailhead parking.
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order. Some examples of these include hay bales, hay…
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
FS Road 37 Deadhorse Creek CLOSED Until Further Notice
Forest Service Road 37 Deadhorse Creek Road flood damage repair is underway. For public safety due to heavy equipment use the road will be closed at mile 0.03 until further notice.
FS Road 37 Deadhorse Creek CLOSED Until Further Notice
Forest Service Road 37 Deadhorse Creek Road flood damage repair is underway. For public safety due to heavy equipment use the road will be closed at mile 0.03 until further notice.
Baker River Bridge Repair May Lead to Delays
The bridge decking on the Baker River stock and pedestrian bridge at the north end of Baker Lake needs to be replaced to meet stock safety standards. Work on the bridge will be ongoing through August. The bridge is closed to stock. Pedestrians can still cross the bridge, but there may be delays on…
Firewood permits now available for online purchase
Forest Service News Release Firewood permits now available for online purchase (Everett, WA, May 20, 2026) — Firewood permits on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest are now available through a new online e-Permit system. This option allows users to obtain permits from a computer or…
Mt. Baker Highway SR 542 closed 7:15-11:30 Sunday, May 24, 2026
Mt. Baker Highway State Route 542 will be CLOSED to all traffic in both directions Sunday, May 24, 7:15 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. for the annual Ski to Sea multi-sport relay race between @MP 35 (Canyon Creek Road #31) and MP 54.7 (Bagley Lakes Trailhead). During the closure timeframe there will be no…
Expect Delays on Foss River Road, Skykomish District
Visitors accessing Foss River Road (Forest Service Road 68) should expect 30-minute delays beginning May 4 through September. Road construction will be on week days between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 pm. For further information, contact the Skykomish Ranger Station.
Suiattle River Road Washout Closure
The Suiattle River Road (FSR 26) and other roads within the watershed were severely damaged from an atmospheric river flood event. The Suiattle River Road (at milepost 4) and associated spur roads are closed for public safety.
Fairfax Bridge Permanently Closed
The Fairfax Bridge on State Highway 165 (milepost 11.5) across the Carbon River has been permanently closed by Washington Department of Transportation (DOT) due to safety concerns. The bridge closure prevents vehicle access to Forest Road 7810, Summit Lake Trailhead, Coplay Lake, and Evans Creek…
Forest Service Roads #23 (White Chuck Road) and #27 (Rat Trap Pass Road) Closed
Road damage caused by the December floods, along with their proximity to the river, makes public access unsafe. A temporary closure has been established on Forest Service Road #23 (White Chuck Road) from milepost 3.7 to its terminus with Forest Service Road #27 (Rat Trap Pass Road) and on Forest…
Middle Fork Camping Closure
Dispersed camping is prohibited along part of Forest Road 56 and 5640, in a corridor adjacent to the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. The purpose of the camping restriction is to reduce recreation-related impacts to: 1) riparian areas and 2) the recreation experience for day-use…
Camping Restrictions
This order sets limits on how long people can camp in one place to protect natural resources, protect visitor health, and ensure all visitors have a fair chance to use camping areas and available facilities. You can camp no more than 14 days in a row at the same spot outside developed…
Entire Forest Under Food Storage Order
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has a food storage order in effect across the entire Forest. This order requires visitors to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest to store food items in a “bear resistant manner” and to properly dispose of wildlife attractants. The food storage…
About
Kelly Butte Lookout is a historic fire lookout tower situated at 5,379 feet elevation in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The original cupola cabin was constructed in 1926 and later replaced by the current L-4 cabin in 1950. On clear days, visitors are rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Mt. Stuart, and surrounding Cascade peaks. The lookout is accessed via Kelly Butte Trail 1031, a 0.7-mile hike on an old logging road followed by a steep climb through rock towers and outcroppings. A stone staircase leads to the lookout deck. The trail begins at 4,314 feet elevation, gaining over 1,000 feet to the summit. Summer months bring abundant wildflowers including beargrass. From late June through late September, the lookout is staffed by volunteers who share the history of fire lookout operations. This is a day-use hiking destination only; there is no overnight camping or cabin rental available at Kelly Butte Lookout. A Recreation Pass is required for parking at the trailhead.
Directions
From Enumclaw, head east on Highway 410 for 20.7 miles past Greenwater to Forest Service Road 70 and turn left. Continue 8.3 miles to Forest Service Road 7030, turn left and proceed 4 miles to the Twin Camps junction. Turn left to stay on FS Road 7030 for 1.3 miles to the turnoff, then turn right and continue 1.3 miles to Kelly Butte Trailhead. High-clearance vehicles are recommended on FS Road 7030.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (360) 825-6585 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Useful Links
| USFS Kelly Butte Lookout | |
| USFS Kelly Butte Trail 1031 |
Photos
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