Spend The Night High Above The Trees In This Extraordinary Oregon Fire Lookout
By Catherine Armstrong|Published June 04, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
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Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
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Fire lookouts popped up all over the West soon after the horrific fires of 1910, and they remain excellent tools in the early detection of fires in our national forests. Oregon has more than 20 lookout towers, and they’re typically available to rent during the parts of the year when forest fires aren’t as much of a hazard. Are you ready for your next adventure? Staying overnight in an Oregon fire lookout is an experience you won’t want to miss.
The Green Ridge Overlook is nestled right at the very edge of a ridgeline, affording guests one of the best views in all of the Deschutes National Forest. It's located on a ridge high above the Metolius River.
To reach the lookout, you'll start by traveling west from Sisters on Highway 20. For full directions, visit the lookout’s page on the USDA Forest Service website.
These accommodations aren't fancy. Staying in this fire lookout is similar to camping, but with a few more amenities.
This isn't a five-star hotel... but then again, you don't often find a hotel with this kind of view! The little cabin includes propane heat, electricity, a propane refrigerator, stove, and oven. The futon sleeps one or two people, but you'll need to bring your own sleeping bag or bedding. You'll also want to bring along other necessities such as garbage bags, paper towels, and toilet paper. There's a vault toilet onsite, but no water is available. Below the fire lookout, you'll find a picnic table and fire ring for enjoying a campfire and some s'mores.
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The sunrise will have you waking up nice and early to appreciate the view.
Clear up here on the ridge, you'll have unobstructed views of the surrounding terrain. Bring your camera along on this getaway, especially if you want to capture some stunning sunrise and sunset views.
The small table and chairs allow you to enjoy breakfast with a view while the sunlight streams in through the windows. You'll feel as though you're a bird perched high above the 2,000-foot-deep ravine. This cozy little fire lookout was built in the 1960s. It's available for rent from May through June and again beginning in mid-September through mid-October. During July and August, volunteers with the Forest Service live here and keep an eye out for fires.
The eagle eye's view from up here is simply spectacular.
From the wrap-around deck, you'll have excellent views of the forest and the Metolius River basin directly below. Off in the distance, you'll spy Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, Mount Oregon, Three-Fingered Jack, and other peaks.
Climb back up the one-story staircase to your wrap-around deck. You can lock the trap door to feel safe and secure, then snuggle in for the evening to enjoy your cozy one-room getaway high above the trees.
There are more than a dozen fire lookouts for rent all throughout Oregon, but they book up fast. Visit Recreation.gov to check availability.
Have you ever stayed overnight in one of Oregon’s fire lookouts? We’d love to hear about your adventure in the comments below!
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