Fall Mountain Lookout
As the afternoon slides into evening, gaze across the valley from your perch on the Fall Mountain Lookout. Watch as flashes of lightning cut jagged white lines through the dusky light. As quickly as it appears, the summer heat storm rolls away and the setting sun peaks beneath a blanket of clouds in a blaze of gold and orange. The next morning stand in the same spot and search the distance for any tails of smoke curling up between the timbers. Welcome to the life of a lookout.
This rustic one-room cabin, with windows all around is atop an 18-foot tower with a wooden catwalk. Unlike most lookouts, Fall Mountain Lookout is wired for electricity and is equipped with electric lights, heating, cook stove and refrigerator. It is furnished with a futon bed.
There is no water available on site; visitors must bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. A vault toilet is located near the lookout.
General Information
- No smoking
- Pets are welcome
- There is no additional room for tent camping
Amenities
- Electricity
- Electric lights
- Refrigerator
- Heater
- Cook stove
- Vault toilet
May 6 - October 31
Check in: 2:00 p.m.; Check-out: 12:00 p.m.; Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
Overnight Use: $40/night (2 people max).
*Sites may be reservable and reservation fees apply.*
$40 per night per group, with a maximum of two occupants. Fees are used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the lookout.
To make reservations please visit: www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.
Address: 431 Patterson Bridge Road John Day, OR 97845
Phone: (541) 575-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: SM.FS.malpubinfo@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 44.293705
Longitude: -119.042728
Elevation
5,949
Directions
From John Day, OR., travel approximately 15.5 miles south on US Highway 395. Turn right onto Forest Road 4920. Follow Forest Road 4920 approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 607 and continue approximately 1 mile to the lookout. The last mile of road leading to the lookout is very rutted and becomes very muddy during spring, early summer and fall. Higher clearance vehicles are recommended.
Parking
There is limited parking at the lookout.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are not available at this site.
