How much does camping cost at Mccarthy Point Lookout?

Camping fees at Mccarthy Point Lookout range from $75/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Mccarthy Point Lookout first-come first-served or reservation?

Mccarthy Point Lookout accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Mccarthy Point Lookout before I book?

Yes! Mccarthy Point Lookout has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Mccarthy Point Lookout?

Mccarthy Point Lookout is open Season Opens May 27,2025 and Closes Sep 05,2025.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Mccarthy Point Lookout?

Mccarthy Point Lookout does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Mccarthy Point Lookout have?

Mccarthy Point Lookout has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Mccarthy Point Lookout?

Pets are not allowed at Mccarthy Point Lookout. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Mccarthy Point Lookout?

Mccarthy Point Lookout offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Mccarthy Point Lookout?

Popular activities at Mccarthy Point Lookout include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Mccarthy Point Lookout

4.44

7 reviews

T27N R3E SEC 18/19

Scenic Views

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,600 ft

Price

$75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Season Opens May 27,...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Almanor Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,600 ft

Price

$75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Season Opens May 27,...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Almanor Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Mccarthy Point Lookout

$75.00 - $75.00 / night

Campsite Fees

CABIN NONELECTRIC: $75.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

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I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Mccarthy Point Lookout

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Campground Map

T27N R3E SEC 18/19

Mccarthy Point Lookout

T27N R3E SEC 18/19

Nearby places

Chester, CA is the closest civilization, approximately 2+ hours away.

Driving directionsFrom Red Bluff, drive east on Highway 36 toward Lassen National Park and Chester. Turn right onto Payne’s Creek Loop in Paynes Creek, then turn right on Plum Creek Road (County Road 202) and continue for about 9 miles to the junction of County Road 707B (Forest Service Road 28N29/Ponderosa Way). Turn right and follow this road past Black Rock Campground until you reach Forest Service Road 27N08. Turn left and drive less than a mile to road 27N21. Turn left and proceed to the McCarthy Point Lookout. Please call the Almanor Ranger District for alternate road directions if needed.

Weather at Mccarthy Point Lookout

Best Time to Camp at Mccarthy Point Lookout

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit because the lookout is open (May 27–Sept 5) and offers the fullest access to the historic cabin, long daylight for hikes, and dramatic late-afternoon thunderstorms that put on spectacular lightning shows from the safety of the cabin. Expect daytime highs up to about 90–95°F on the warmest days, with much cooler evenings dropping into the mid-40s to mid-50s thanks to the 3,600 ft elevation — ideal for comfortable sleeping and star viewing. Hiking, wildlife viewing Peak months: July, August, June, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.5 / 5

Open in summer (May 27–Sep 5); highs to 95°F, cool nights and dramatic thunderstorms are noted.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Season Opens May 27,2025 and Closes Sep 05,2025.

About Mccarthy Point Lookout

McCarthy Point Lookout sits in the Lassen National Forest foothills, operated by the Almanor Ranger District. This historic fire lookout cabin offers a rare chance to stay in a working tower with panoramic views, accessed by a challenging drive over rocky terrain and water crossings. Visitors hike, fish, and watch wildlife from a remote perch that delivers dramatic summer thunderstorms and evening lightning shows.

McCarthy Point Lookout is a unique offering, classified under cabin lodging for its historic lookout tower. Primitive camping facilities are recommended for visitors due to the absence of modern amenities.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit because the lookout is open (May 27–Sept 5) and offers the fullest access to the historic cabin, long daylight for hikes, and dramatic late-afternoon thunderstorms that put on spectacular lightning shows from the safety of the cabin. Expect daytime highs up to about 90–95°F on the warmest days, with much cooler evenings dropping into the mid-40s to mid-50s thanks to the 3,600 ft elevation — ideal for comfortable sleeping and star viewing. Hiking, wildlife viewing Peak months: July, August, June, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation3600 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe lookout perches on sheer cliffs with unprotected views into Mill Creek Canyon and across the Ishi Wilderness. Mixed evergreen forests surround the site, part of a state game refuge that supports black bears, mountain lions, deer, coyotes, wild hogs, and raptors including hawks and eagles. The dramatic elevation creates a microclimate where the rim meets the valley floor thousands of feet below. The exposed position offers unobstructed sightlines in all directions, though the same exposure means wind and weather hit the cabin directly.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe McCarthy Point Lookout is a historic cabin featuring two rooms, including a kitchen and a bedroom. It offers propane lighting, a propane stove, and sleeping facilities for up to eight people.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are described.

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

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Guests Allowed Per Site

Limit not specified.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsRecreation.Gov.

AccessibilityThe trail to the cabin is paved but requires walking approximately 1,000 feet from the parking area. Guests are encouraged to bring wheeled carts to transport gear.

Site SizeThe cabin accommodates up to eight people with sleeping facilities, but no specific measurements of the cabin area are provided.

PrivacyThe remote nature of the lookout ensures significant privacy, as noted in user reviews.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesBring a satellite communicator as cell service is extremely spotty." Use the smoother Highway 32 route to avoid hazardous conditions on Highway 36.

Need help booking Mccarthy Point Lookout?

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Recreation.gov Guide

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Amenities available

McCarthy Point Lookout offers a unique camping experience with rustic facilities in a remote wilderness area. As a historic cabin, it provides both a sense of adventure and basic creature comforts. The cabin features overhead propane lights, a propane cook stove, a wood stove, double sinks with running non-potable water, and a large picnic-style table. Guests must bring their own potable water, as none is provided. The sleeping arrangements consist of two single-sized platforms and six aluminum cots. Outside, there is a portable gas barbecue and a pit toilet located at the parking area.

Picnic tables

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

McCarthy Point Lookout offers limited recreational opportunities directly on-site but serves as a gateway to exploring the nearby Ishi Wilderness. Its remote and scenic location makes it ideal for relaxing, wildlife observation, and enjoying panoramic views.

Hiking

Fishing

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. A pit toilet is located near the parking area.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

7 reviews

Recommended

Mccarthy Point Lookout is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the breathtaking views, remote location, and rustic charm of the lookout cabin. However, challenges include difficult access roads, wildlife encounters, and the lack of modern amenities.

Review Summaries

Based on 7 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors frequently praise the stunning views, remote and peaceful setting, and unique experience of staying in a historic lookout tower.

Based on 7 reviews

Common Concerns

Issues raised by users include challenging road access, mice and other wildlife in the cabin, lack of potable water, and the long walk from the parking area to the cabin.

Based on 7 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Reviews focus exclusively on the cabin and its immediate area, particularly the suitability of site #001 for stargazing and panoramic views.

Based on 7 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend avoiding the road from Highway 36 due to its rocky terrain and opting for the smoother route via Highway 32. Guests suggest bringing satellite communication devices, minimizing gear...

Based on 7 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are noted for high temperatures inside the cabin, while thunderstorms provide a dramatic spectacle during rainy weather. Wildlife activity increases during warmer months.

Based on 7 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The views from the cabin were stunning. Never in my life have I seen anything like it.' - Jessica W 2. 'We experienced 3 thunderstorms while we were there, really great views of lightning from...

Based on 7 reviews

Accessibility Features

Access to the cabin is challenging due to the 1,000-foot walk from the parking area, compounded by the lack of accessibility features for those with mobility issues.

Based on 7 reviews