Hirz Mountain Lookout

Area Status: Open

Built atop a sharp peak, this 20-foot lookout tower comes with a full 360-degree view. From here, you get fabulous views of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen, and a bird's eye view of the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake.

This lookout is for the adventuresome - those who don't mind driving 5 miles at low speed on road 35N04, a limited sight distance single lane dirt road. Road 35N04 is a high clearance mountainous road recommended for 4-wheel drive vehicles. Photo of the upper portion of the road to the lookout. To view more photos of the road to the lookout as well as the trail and inside the cabin, select Hirz Mountain Lookout photos in the right column.

Due to rocky, slippery, steep terrain, the last 1/4 mile section of road access to the lookout is for foot traffic only. We recommend wearing shoes with good tread and ankle support. This is a pack-it in, pack-it out facility.

Download a PDF file of driving directions and map to the lookout

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Click the link for current campground conditions
Operational Hours:	Arrival: check-in is at 2:00 p.m. Departure: check-out is at 11:00 a.m.
Reservations:	Reservations available through National Recreation Reservation Service @ recreation.gov.
Rentals & Guides:	Hirz Mountain Lookout brochure.
Area Amenities:	Picnic tables, Toilets
Fees:	Rental fee: $100 per night with a four day maximum stay per group/per year.
Permit Info:	A California Campfire Permit is required and can be acquired free from any US Forest Service, CAL FIRE or Bureau of Land Management office or online at http://permit.preventwildfiresca.org/
Open Season:	May 1 - Oct 15
Best Season:	Spring & Fall
Busiest Season:	Spring & Fall
Restrictions:	Lookouts are in year round fire restrictions. NO FIRES outside of designated sites. Designated sites include: developed campgrounds, picnic areas and signed camp fire use areas. Exception: portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel with a valid California campfire permit. NO SMOKING except in an enclosed vehicle, building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated fire safe area.
Closest Towns:	Redding, Lakehead, Shasta Lake City.
Water:	None
Restroom:	Vault
Operated By:	Concessionaire - Shasta Recreation Company (SRC) 530-275-8113

General Information

Directions:

From Redding, take Interstate 5 north approx. 20 miles to Gilman Road, exit 698. Turn right (east), and follow Gilman Road approximately five (5) miles to road 35N04. Turn left on to road 35N04.

Drive 5 miles at low speed on road 35N04, a limited sight distance single lane dirt road. Road 35N04 is a high clearance mountainous road recommended for 4-wheel drive vehicles. Due to rocky, slippery, steep terrain, the last 1/4 mile section of road access to the lookout is for foot traffic only.