Black Mountain Lookout

4.68

17 reviews

PO Box 7, Blairsden, CA 96103, USA

Romantic GetawayScenic ViewsPeace & QuietStargazing

Featured in:Mountain Camping California

Quick Facts

6,959 ft

Price

$60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open season typicall...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Electric

Opens Beckwourth Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

6,959 ft

Price

$60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open season typicall...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Electric

Opens Beckwourth Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Black Mountain Lookout

$60.00 - $60.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Peak season rates for the lookout cabin are $60 per night. Reservation fees vary based on booking platform: $8 online, $9 through the contact center,...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(530) 836-2575

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What Campers Say

4.68

Top-Rated

Based on 17 reviews

20 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewswell-maintained

"Overall, Black Mountain Lookout receives high praise for its unique experience, stunning views, and convenience of amenities like electricity. However, several reviewers highlight challenges related to road accessibility and high winds."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

PO Box 7, Blairsden, CA 96103, USA

Black Mountain Lookout

PO Box 7, Blairsden, CA 96103, USA

Driving directionsFrom Highway 395 at Milford, take County Road 336 to Milford Grade. Turn right onto Milford Grade (also named County Road 336 and Forest Rd. 26N70). Turn left on Forest Road 26N80 and continue on this road to the lookout. Access is by a dirt road; high clearance vehicles are recommended due to rough terrain and weather challenges.

Access to the lookout is by a dirt road, requiring high clearance vehicles. The road is subject to inclement weather during the early and late season, and user reviews describe it as narrow with bedrock outcrops and sand that can cause significant vehicle damage.

Nearby places

Milford (10 miles), Blairsden (null distance), Honey Lake (null distance), Frenchman Lake (30-minute drive)

Nearby supplies

Frenchman Lake, approximately 30-minute drive, offers access to swimming, water skiing, fishing, and camping. Specific locations for groceries, camping supplies, and fuel are not provided.

Best Time to Camp at Black Mountain Lookout

The summit's exposed position creates a symphony of natural elements that define each stay. Mountain winds dance around the tower, sometimes gentle, sometimes fierce, carrying the scent of pine and tales of distant storms. Visitors often find themselves mesmerized by dramatic weather transitions—watching storm clouds roll across valleys before giving way to crystalline skies that seem to stretch forever. Summer brings warm days perfect for wildlife spotting, while spring and fall offer front-row seats to nature's most spectacular shows. The tower closes for winter, when snow blankets the peak in serene silence.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 14% in CA

Peak season May 23–Oct 20; most accessible with stable summer weather and best views.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.0 / 5

Open into October but early/late-season weather can be inclement; accessibility varies.

Spring(Mar-May)

2.0 / 5

Open starting Memorial Day weekend; early spring access limited and weather variable.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Site closed outside Memorial Day–Oct season; not suitable for winter use.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 23 - October 20. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season typically Memorial Day weekend through October. Closed for 2020 and expected closure into 2021 due to COVID concerns.
Current Alerts: COVID-related closures impacted 2020 and potentially 2021.

About Black Mountain Lookout

Perched atop Black Mountain like a sentinel from another era, this 1934 fire lookout tower beckons adventurers seeking an extraordinary escape. Rising 10 feet above the rugged summit, this meticulously preserved Civilian Conservation Corps masterpiece transforms your stay into a journey through time. By day, scan the horizon for soaring bald eagles and wandering deer; by night, witness the cosmos unfold in stunning clarity as wind whispers ancient stories through the tower's sturdy timbers. This isn't just accommodation—it's your private observatory where wilderness and history converge in the heart of Plumas National Forest.

Black Mountain Lookout offers a unique opportunity to stay in a historic fire lookout cabin, complemented by tent camping. "Staying here was such a great experience I’d recommend to anyone."

Historical SignificanceStep inside a living piece of American conservation history. Built during the depths of the Great Depression by the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps, this 1934 lookout tower stands as a testament to vision, craftsmanship, and the enduring spirit of environmental stewardship. Every hand-hewn beam and carefully fitted window tells the story of the CCC's remarkable legacy—when thousands of unemployed youth transformed America's wilderness while transforming themselves. The tower's exceptional preservation allows modern visitors to experience the same views and sensations as the fire spotters who once kept lonely vigil over these ancient forests.

Weather and SeasonsThe summit's exposed position creates a symphony of natural elements that define each stay. Mountain winds dance around the tower, sometimes gentle, sometimes fierce, carrying the scent of pine and tales of distant storms. Visitors often find themselves mesmerized by dramatic weather transitions—watching storm clouds roll across valleys before giving way to crystalline skies that seem to stretch forever. Summer brings warm days perfect for wildlife spotting, while spring and fall offer front-row seats to nature's most spectacular shows. The tower closes for winter, when snow blankets the peak in serene silence.

ElevationFrom its lofty mountain summit perch, the lookout tower rises an additional 10 feet skyward, placing you quite literally above it all. This elevated vantage point transforms the already commanding mountaintop position into an extraordinary 360-degree theater of natural wonders.

Natural Features and SceneryPrepare for sensory overload as nature's grandest canvas unfolds in every direction. To the north, the shimmering expanse of Honey Lake stretches toward the horizon, while southward, Last Chance Creek carves its serpentine path through ancient valleys. The surrounding tapestry weaves together cascading streams, hidden alpine lakes, and meadows that burst with wildflowers in season. Deep canyons plunge dramatically between soaring peaks, creating a landscape that shifts from intimate to infinite with each turn of your gaze. Keep binoculars handy—coyotes prowl the ridgelines at dawn, deer graze in distant meadows, and the magnificent silhouettes of bald eagles and osprey patrol the thermals above.

Geological RegionThe Plumas National Forest reveals itself here in all its geological complexity—a masterwork millions of years in the making. Ancient forces sculpted this dramatic terrain of plunging canyons and proud peaks, where crystalline streams have carved their signatures deep into the landscape. Mountain valleys cradle pristine lakes like nature's jewels, while meadows provide gentle counterpoint to the region's rugged character. This diverse ecosystem supports an impressive array of wildlife, from the stealthy coyote to the majestic bald eagle, all thriving in this remarkable intersection of geological features that make the Plumas one of California's most treasured wild places.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in by reservation
specific times not stated.

Check-out

Check-out by reservation
specific times not stated.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit of 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Tower accommodates up to 4 people
adjacent tent camping allows an additional 4 visitors.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSingle lookout cabin with adjacent space for tent camping.

Reservation PlatformsReservations available via Recreation.gov online platform, contact center, and in-person booking.

Walk-in AvailabilityNo specific walk-up availability stated; reservations are recommended.

Cancellation PolicyReservations may be modified or canceled up to three days before arrival. Late cancellations incur a $10 fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee.

AccessibilityThe cabin and tent camping areas are accessible primarily via a high-clearance dirt road. Visitors should be aware of potential difficulties as "the road was the scariest thing I have ever been on," according to a reviewer.

Site SizeThe cabin accommodates up to four guests, and tent camping sites adjacent to the cabin allow for an additional four visitors.

PrivacyThe site is secluded, providing privacy and stunning views of Honey Lake and Last Chance Creek.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesRecommendations include using high-clearance or AWD vehicles for access and packing extra water and light sources.

Amenities available

Electricity hookups

Picnic tables

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Black Mountain Lookout include hiking, stargazing, wildlife viewing, and birding. "On a clear night, visitors can gaze upon the expansive sky as it unfolds with a dazzling display of stars." Frenchman Lake, located 30 minutes away, offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, and water skiing.

HikingHiking opportunities are available in the surrounding Plumas National Forest. Guests can explore "lots of fire roads to explore if you are keen on driving around and getting pinstripes."

FishingFishing opportunities are available at nearby Frenchman Lake, a 30-minute drive from the lookout.

SwimmingSwimming is possible at Frenchman Lake, which is located 30 minutes away.

BoatingBoating opportunities exist at Frenchman Lake, which is popular for water skiing.

Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a popular activity. Visitors may encounter deer, coyotes, bald eagles, and osprey. "Amazing views, awesome sunsets, great cloud/weather watching, the bountiful wildflowers, butterflies."

Winter Activities

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRoad hazards include sand and bedrock, high winds, and wildlife such as squirrels, mice, and bears. User reviews report vehicle damage on approaches to the site.

Active AlertsCOVID-related closures impacted 2020 and potentially 2021.

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

Fire PolicyNot explicitly provided; smoking prohibited in the lookout.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Not explicitly stated.

Emergency ServicesBeckwourth Ranger District Office: (530) 836-2575; distance unclear from source.

Trash & RecyclingPack out your trash policy is enforced. "Keep the building and grounds clean to deter squirrel, mice, rats, bears, and other wildlife from the area."

Water FeaturesFrenchman Lake within a 30-minute drive; no direct water access at the lookout itself.

Camp HostManaged by Beckwourth Ranger District; contact available via (530) 836-2575.

Weather at Black Mountain Lookout

Reviews

4.7

17 reviews

Top-Rated

Black Mountain Lookout is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, Black Mountain Lookout receives high praise for its unique experience, stunning views, and convenience of amenities like electricity. However, several reviewers highlight challenges related to road accessibility and high winds.

Review Summaries

Based on 17 reviews

What Campers Love

Guests describe the site as "well-equipped, well-maintained, and beautiful setting." Others enjoy "stunning views," "sunsets were so beautiful," and "cozy touches like electric gas lamps and fairy...

Based on 17 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include difficult road conditions: "Do not do this unless you have high clearance and AWD" and "large bedrock outcrops." Some reviewers also noted high winds: "The wind up there will...

Based on 17 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Guests recommend bringing adequate water and supplies since "no water is available at this facility." High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended for access: "The road was roughest the last 3...

Based on 17 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The lookout is most accessible during the summer months when weather conditions are more stable. Challenges arise during early and late-season due to inclement weather.

Based on 17 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This was amazing. The views at sunset were so beautiful I almost cried." "My wife, dog and I really enjoyed our stay." "The cabin itself is pretty packed with basic supplies. All you’d really need...

Based on 17 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsite 001 receives reviews with mixed sentiments. Positive: "Excellent night at Black Mountain fire lookout," "Well stocked and clean." Negative: "Wind noise and road condition took a chunk out of...

Based on 17 reviews