Little Cowhorn Lookout
Open — Available year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Winter access may be difficult due to snow on forest roads and trails at 4,243 feet elevation. High-clearance vehicle recommended for forest road access.
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.
Forest Service Road (FSR) 2223 and FSR 2212 Emergency Road Closure
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREFOREST SERVICEWILLAMETTE NATIONAL FORESTSPRINGFIELD, OREGONFOREST ORDER NO. 06-18-04-25-23FSR 2223 AND FSR 2212 EMERGENCY ROAD CLOSURE
Portion of Forest Service Road 1003 (Tom Creek Road) closed
A portion of Forest Service Road 1003, also known as Tom Creek Road, is closed. The road closure starts at the junction of FSR 10 and FSR 1003 and includes the first 4.1 miles of FSR 1003 to the junction with the 1003-416 and 1003-409 roads.
Sno-park Permits required Nov. 1 to Apr. 30
Sno-Park Permits are required to park in designated sno-parks from November 1 through April 30. Sno-Park Permits are managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
Emigrant Fire Closure Order
Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited in the areas described in this Order on National Forest System
Tamolitch Parking / Trail Construction Closure
Tamolitch Parking and Trail Construction Closure Forest Order.
Detroit Dispersed Camping Restrictions
Pursuant to 16 USC§ 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited in the Closure Areas, roads and their associated spur roads, trailheads, and recreation sites described in this order on National Forest System lands within the administrative
FIRE CLOSURES: Current wildfire closures on the Willamette National Forest
For updates on active fires, visit our fire Incident Information page. Fire Closures:
Beachie Creek and Lionshead Fires Closure
Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited in the roads and their associated spur roads, trailheads, and recreation sites described in this order on National Forest System lands within the administrative boundaries
Carmen Reservoir Closure
To protect the health and safety of the public: due to heavy machinery and construction equipment traffic, the following area is closed: the footprint of Carmen Reservoir, from the center of the reservoir up to the high-water line and extends to the spillway area to the southwest and Forest Road
Cedar Creek Fire Closure
To provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails within the administrative boundaries of the Willamette National Forest.
14 Day Stay Camping Limit
Camping, occupying, or otherwise leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies at any locations on the Willamette National Forest described in this order, overnight, for a period longer than 14 calendar days, in a 30-day period.
Camping Restrictions in Cougar Recreation Area
The Cougar Recreation Area is a specially designated area around Cougar Reservoir.
Moose and Gordon Dispersed Camping Closure
The purpose of this closure is to prohibit dispersed overnight camping and make these areas available as day-use only.
Terwilliger Hot Springs Nudity, Alcohol, and Closed Times
To provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited in the areas and on the roads described in this Order.
Occupation Use Restriction in Middle Fork Ranger District
The following acts are prohibited in the areas described in this order within the administrative boundaries of the Willamette National Forest.Prohibitions:1. Being in the area after sundown to before sunrise.2. Parking in violation of posted instructions.
About
Little Cowhorn Lookout is a 14x14-foot flat-roof fire lookout built in 1960 that has been maintained by volunteers and remains in good condition. No longer staffed, the lookout is available for public overnight use on a first-come, first-served basis. Perched at 4,243 feet elevation, the lookout provides spectacular 360-degree views of the Cascade Crest, the western edge of the Willamette National Forest, and watersheds such as Fall Creek. The 1-mile approach trail offers an excellent hiking experience through diverse terrain. Starting from a small parking area, the trail ascends through stands of Douglas fir, crosses openings, passes by dramatic towering rock faces and exposed flowering rocky slopes, and reaches the grassy, open mountaintop. The final approach requires caution as it traverses a rock face equipped with a cable handrail. This makes for an excellent early season warm-up hike or late-season outing when higher elevations are snowed in. Access requires a high-clearance vehicle for the final miles on forest roads. The lookout has been restored and visitors are encouraged to leave it cleaner than they found it. The remote location and elevation make this a special backcountry experience for those seeking solitude and panoramic mountain views.
Directions
From Oregon Highway 58, turn left just past mile marker 13 at the Lowell covered bridge. Continue to the four-way intersection in Lowell and turn left, then right onto Moss Street. At the next four-way intersection turn right onto Big Fall Creek Road. Continue to approximately mile post 18.5, then turn left onto Forest Road 1830. Continue on 1830 for approximately 8 miles until it becomes Forest Road 1817, then drive approximately 2 miles and turn right past the gate at the 388 spur. This steep road ends at a small parking area where the trail begins.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| 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 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Little Cowhorn Mountain Lookout |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!