Oregon / Josephine County / Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Onion Mountain Lookout

Closed — Closed to reservations until further notice. Typically operates seasonally from late May through mid-October.

About

Onion Mountain Lookout sits atop a 12-foot tower at 4,438 feet elevation, providing guests with a unique overnight rental experience in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The current structure was built in 1952 and served as both a fire lookout and Aircraft Warning Service observation station. The 14x14 foot cabin features large windows on all sides, offering panoramic views of southwestern Oregon's mountainous terrain. The cabin is furnished with a bed with mattress, table, chairs, propane cooking stove, refrigerator, and lanterns. No water is available on site, so visitors must pack in all drinking, cooking, and washing water. A primitive vault toilet is located near the lookout. The site is accessed via 8.75 miles of gravel forest roads, with the final 0.8 miles requiring a walk from a locked gate. Key pickup is required from the Wild Rivers Ranger District office in Grants Pass. The area offers excellent hiking, mountain biking on the nearby Taylor Creek/Onion Way mountain loop, stargazing, and wildlife viewing. Onion Mountain is named for the tiny wild onions growing among the summit rocks, and in early summer the area blooms with Bear Grass, Snow Mountain Buckwheat, and penstemon.

Directions

From Grants Pass travel Highway 199 south to Riverbanks Road at milepost 7 (just past the Applegate River) and turn right. Proceed 5.5 miles to Shan Creek Road and turn left. Travel 8 miles on gravel road to Forest Service Road 2509 and turn right. Proceed 0.75 miles to the Onion Mountain gate. Walk the remaining 0.8 miles to the lookout. Key pickup required from Wild Rivers Ranger District office in Grants Pass (2164 NE Spalding Avenue) Monday-Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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