Bear Basin Butte Lookout / Pierson Cabin
Are you seeking solitude, awe-inspiring views, a quiet haven away from crowds, or perhaps you've wondered what life would be like for a fire spotter in the Forest Service? While fire lookouts may be passing into history, they remain objects of interest for many people, both for their beautiful locations and the mystique surrounding existence in a high and remote site. Now you have an opportunity to feel for yourself what it's like to live in a fire lookout. The Bear Basin Butte Lookout is situated high atop a narrow mountain ridge and offers a 360° view of the Siskiyou Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The Six Rivers National Forest invites you to experience life at the top of Bear Basin Butte through rental of a historic fire lookout and a new 1930s style cabin.
General Information
Recreation.gov: Bear Basin Lookout and Cabin
This facility is extremely popular; reservations often fill as soon as they become available online, especially during the peak season (July through September).
Tips for getting a reservation:
Set up your account with Recreation.gov before you book.
Find out what time Recreation.gov opens for the day. They are on Eastern Time so you will have to convert to your time if you are not in that time zone.
Exactly six months before the first day of your desired stay just before Recreation.gov opens for the day go to the Recreation.gov. You may want to check a few days before to make sure you are booking on the right day. Keep refreshing the “Date Range Availability” screen until the first day of your desired stay shows as available. Only the first day of your stay has to be within the booking window--you may book an additional three days beyond that.
If the first day of your desired stay is already reserved it means that someone booked it a split second before you or it is the second, third, or fourth day of someone else’s stay that extended beyond the booking window.
If you don’t get your desired date(s), keep trying for other dates (assuming you are flexible). Check back frequently for cancellations.
Weekends are always more in demand—book during the week if you can.
The cabin and lookout are rented as a pair from July 1 to September 30.
Pets are not allowed in the cabin or lookout.
$75 per night. Rate isfor 1 to 8 persons; there is a fee of $5 pernightfor each additional person over 8, paid directly to the facility (usually when picking up the key). The maximum occupancyis 12 persons.
$75 per night. Rate is for 1 to 8 persons; there is a fee of $5 per night for each additional person over 8, paid directly to the facility (usually when picking up the key). The maximum occupancy is 12 persons.
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 41.809051
Longitude: -123.742189
Elevation
5300 feet
Directions
Driving to Bear Basin Butte Lookout
Distance from Smith River NRA Visitor Center: 21.5 miles Driving time: approximately 1 hour
Directions from Smith River NRA Visitor Center, 10600 U.S. Highway 199, Gasquet, California 95543: Travel east on Hwy 199 10.6 miles (mile post 24.73) to Little Jones Creek Road (a.k.a. FS 16/17N05/Jawbone Rd). Follow signs to Bear Basin Lookout, staying on the paved road. About 5.8 miles up Jawbone you will have your first view of the lookout. At about 20.5 miles (10 miles on Jawbone), turn left onto 16N02 and continue to gate at 20.8, following sign to Bear Basin Lookout.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.