Onion Mountain Lookout

About

Onion Mountain Lookout offers a unique lodging experience in southwestern Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The 14x14-foot cabin sits atop a 12-foot tower at 4,438 feet elevation, surrounded by walls of windows that provide sweeping views of the mountainous terrain in every direction. The current structure was built in 1952 and served both as a fire lookout and an Aircraft Warning Service observation station. The lookout is furnished with a bed and mattress, table, chairs, propane cooking stove, propane refrigerator, and lanterns. There is space for 4-5 tents outside the tower. Guests must bring all water for drinking, cooking, and washing, as well as sleeping bags, cooking gear, toilet paper, and garbage bags for packing out trash. A primitive vault toilet is located nearby. The summit is named for the tiny wild onions that grow among the rocks. In early summer, the area blooms with Bear Grass, Snow Mountain Buckwheat, and purple penstemon. At night, the remote location provides exceptional stargazing. Oregon Caves National Monument and Crater Lake National Park are both within driving distance.

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 this gravel road to Forest Service Road 2509 and turn right. Continue 0.75 miles to the Onion Mountain gate. The final 8.75 miles are on gravel Forest Service roads. Currently, visitors must walk the remaining 0.8 miles from the gate.