Clear Lake Butte Fire Lookout - Winter Rental

Clear Lake Butte Fire Lookout is a seasonal cabin rental offered by the forest service the is available only in the winter between the months of November and May. This highly popular fire lookout can be reach only by hiking or snowmobiling in and is located at the top of Clear Lake Butte in the Mt. Hood National Forest.

The Lookout is a 14 x 14 room perched on top of a 40 foot tower located on Clear Lake Butte. The lookout can only accommodate one group of campers at a time and reservations are required as the lookout is locked with a combination code for access.

Included at the lookout you will find a wood stove, sink (with no water), gas stove and oven for cooking, a table and a bare double mattress. There is an outhouse nearby and firewood is provided in a nearby fire shed. To get into the lookout you need to climb a set of very steep stairs which can be slippery during storms.

Camping in a fire lookout is a very cool experience – especially during storms. It can be hard to get reservations for the lookout so be sure to book far in advance.

Tips: There is great cell phone coverage here.  Both AT&T and Verizon have strong enough signals for Facetime.  Bring paper towels, toilet paper, drinking water and garbage bags.