Lookouts - Overnight Use

Snow blocks access to our lookouts until mid- to late summer. Some are rented or staffed with volunteers who have exclusive overnight occupancy. Lookouts that are not staffed or available for rental are available to visitors on a first-come first-serve basis. For more information check with your nearest ranger district office or online at www.recreation.gov.

Tips for overnight use

1. Bring sleeping bags, food, water, lanterns and fuel. Winchester Lookout furnishes a propane stove. Parties of more than two people will need extra sleeping pads at all lookouts except Hidden Lake, which has extra pads under the beds. Bring a tent in case your destination lookout is already occupied by others.
2. Two nights are the recommended maximum stay.
3. Detailed instructions for shelter operation, lookout facilities, water sources and toilet locations can be found posted inside each building.
4. Move gasoline stoves and lanterns outside the building to fill and start them.
5. The lookouts are prone to rodents, so please take precautions to keep the lookout clean and store food in the rodent-proof containers provided.
6. Pack out all garbage.
7. Toilets may be available at some lookouts. If not, please pack it out.
8. Replenish any supplies you use or send a donation to the organization responsible for the maintenance of the lookout.
9. Volunteer work parties have priority at lookout shelters. A notice will be posted at the trailhead if a work party will be present. Two or three work party weekends are held per year at each lookout.