Fivemile Butte Lookout, Mt. Hood National Forest

Campground

Facilities

The cabin is atop a 40-foot tower and is surrounded by a wooden catwalk. The 14-by-14 room is furnished with a small bed, a wood stove for heating and a table and chairs. It has a propane cook stove and solar-powered lights. There is no water on-site. An outhouse with a vault toilet is located on the ground, as well as a shed stocked with firewood. A rope and pulley system is available to transport gear, as well as firewood, up and down the tower with ease. Guests will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as their own sleeping bags/bedding, a flashlight or lantern for emergencies, first aid kit, washcloths and towels, dish soap and garbage bags. This is a "Pack it in, Pack it out" facility; guests will need to carry out all trash and clean the facility prior to leaving.

Natural Features

The lookout was originally a small cab on a 30-foot tower, established in the 1920s. In 1932, a standard lookout tower was built to replace the earlier lookout, but was destroyed by heavy snow in 1942. A non-typical lookout structure was rebuilt at the site in 1957.

The tower sits on Fivemile Butte, at an elevation of 4,627 feet. It is surrounded by ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and western hemlock forests. Numerous creeks run through the area. A variety of wildlife, including wild turkeys, grouse and blue jays, as well as deer, elk, coyotes, cougars and bears, frequent the area.

Recreation

In the summer months, visitors enjoy hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking in the area, as well as the gorgeous views from the lookout. The lookout is near Eightmile Creek and Eightmile Trail, which travels through and around a riparian area, old growth pine forests and meadows dotted with wildflowers.

The area is popular among winter sports enthusiasts as well, as the location provides access to numerous cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling trails. It is a shared winter recreation area and lookout guests should expect other winter sports enthusiasts in the area.

Recreation Sites

Cabin Nonelectric
Overnight

Activities

Ranger Station
Cross Country Skiing
Hunting
Hiking
Camping
Birding

Amenities

Accessible Picnic Area
Bed(s)
Cleaning Equipment
Cooking Pots
Cooking Utensils
Fire Extinguisher
Firewood
Lights
Mattress Pad(s)
Outhouse
Parking Area
Propane
Propane Oven
Propane Stove
Table & Chairs
Wood Stove

Getting Here

Latitude

45° 24' 36.2448" N

Longitude

121° 28' 7.5288" W

From Dufur, Oregon, travel west on Valley Road for about 18 miles to the junction of Forest Service Roads 44 and 4430, at Billy Bob Sno-Park (the road may be plowed to the Sno-Park). Turn right on Forest Service Road 4430-120, then turn left and follow to the spur road 122. There is a gate that you will have to unlock (in winter months the gate is left open), then follow the 122 road to the end. The route is approximately 3 miles and is marked with orange and blue diamond shaped blazers. This route is not plowed, signed or patrolled.

Forest Service Roads 44 and 4430 are closed from the junction of Forest Service Roads 44/4430 to Highway 35, from Dec. 1st through April 1st, prohibiting motorized vehicles over 48 inches wide without a permit. During this time and later into the year depending on snow levels, visitors should park at Billy Bob Sno-Park and hike, ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile 3 miles to the lookout. A Northwest Forest Pass is required park at the Sno-Park. Maps are available online or for purchase by calling the Barlow Ranger District.

Need to Know

For current conditions, please call Barlow Ranger District office at 541-467-2291 or the Hood River Ranger District office at 541-352-6002. The office is staffed Monday thru Friday 8am-4:30pm.

Drinking water is not available at the tower

The combination to the tower and woodshed are both the same and are included in your confirmation email.

Be prepared for extreme winter weather conditions; guests should be experienced in back country travel and survival skills

Please contact the Barlow or Hood River Ranger District offices prior to departing for the lookout, to check on any restrictions or conditions, such as fire or road closures, weather or storms that may affect the quality of your visit

Check-out is 11am, check-in is 3pm.

Firewood is provided for indoor use only.

The height of the cabin and the open catwalk pose serious risks for children and pets; the steps and catwalk can become quite slippery and the tower may sway in strong winds

Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.