Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin

Star4.15
26 reviews
Prairie City Ranger District - 327 SW Front St.,P.O. Box 337
Scenic ViewsStargazing

Quick Facts

5,949 ft

Price

$40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open May 6 - October...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Electric

Opens Blue Mountain Ranger District site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin
$40.00 - $40.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Cabin Electric costs $40 per night during peak season (May 6 - October 31). Additional reservation fees apply.
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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Provider
541-575-3000
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What Campers Say

4.15

Satisfactory

Based on 26 reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquiet

"User reviews highlight the exceptional views, cleanliness, and unique experience of staying in a fire lookout. Common sentiments include appreciation for the remote location, wildlife sightings, and star-filled night skies. However, concerns about the lack of heat during colder months and occasional pest issues were raised."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Prairie City Ranger District - 327 SW Front St.,P.O. Box 337

Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin

Prairie City Ranger District - 327 SW Front St.,P.O. Box 337

Driving directionsFrom John Day, travel approximately 15.5 miles south on Highway 395. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 4920. Follow Forest Service Road 4920 approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 607 and continue approximately 1 mile to the lookout.
The last road leading to Fall Mountain Lookout is exceptionally narrow, rutty and rough. Visitors are encouraged to use a high-clearance vehicle and use caution while driving up to the lookout.
Nearby places
John Day (20 miles)
Nearby supplies
John Day, OR (20 miles) offers grocery stores, fuel stations, and camping supplies.

Best Time to Camp at Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin

Summer transforms the lookout into a front-row seat for nature's most dramatic performances, with afternoon thunderstorms rolling across the wilderness like ancient titans. While these warm months bring crystal-clear mornings perfect for photography, visitors in May and early June should come prepared for the annual mosquito and tick awakening. As autumn arrives, the mountain air grows crisp and the crowds thin out, offering solitude seekers peaceful days wrapped in fleece, though nighttime temperatures can dip dramatically, reminding guests of the approaching winter.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5
Top 12% in OR

Open in summer; thunderstorms and dramatic weather make summer visits memorable per reviews.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Late-season views and sunsets praised; cooler temps and pests appear more common.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Open from May 6; reviewers cite great May visits and desire to return in spring.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Closed Nov–Apr; reviewers mention inadequate heating when cold.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 6 - October 31.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 6 - October 31 (peak season).
  • Current Alerts: Weather conditions and snow may delay the opening of the access road. Guests should contact the Blue Mountain Ranger District for up-to-date conditions.

About Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin

Perched atop an 18-foot tower in the heart of Oregon's Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin invites adventurers to step into a piece of living history. This intimate retreat for two combines the romance of a bygone era with modern comforts, featuring electricity, a cozy futon bed, and a well-equipped kitchen. Step onto the wraparound catwalk and let your eyes sweep across an endless canvas of peaks, valleys, and wilderness that stretches to every horizon. Here, you'll trade city lights for starlit nights and wake to sunrises that paint the mountains in shades of gold and crimson.
Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin provides a unique lodging experience that combines elements of primitive camping with glamping. It does not support traditional tent or RV camping.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in time is 2 PM.
Check-out
Check-out time is 12 PM.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 consecutive nights during a visit.

Amenities available

Electricity hookups
Picnic tables
Lodging and accommodations
Vault toilets
Cabin Lodging
Glamping

Activities you can enjoy

Visitors to Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin can engage in a variety of activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, star gazing, and huckleberry picking. "Recreational options include wildlife viewing, huckleberry picking, star gazing and hiking the area around the lookout."
HikingHiking trails are accessible near the lookout. "Designated hiking trails into the wilderness are located 30 minutes from the lookout tower by vehicle."
Wildlife viewingFall Mountain Lookout offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The nearby Strawberry Mountain Wilderness is home to elk, mule deer, antelope, black bears, cougars, bighorn sheep, and more. "A variety of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, antelope, black bear, cougar, bighorn sheep, ruffed and blue grouse, pileated woodpecker, sharp-shinned hawk, bald eagle, pine marten, mink and beaver."
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBear activity reported in the area; visitors must practice bear safety. Guests noted the presence of ticks and mosquitoes during warmer months. Narrow and rutty access road poses challenges for low-clearance vehicles.
Active AlertsWeather conditions and snow may delay the opening of the access road. Guests should contact the Blue Mountain Ranger District for up-to-date conditions.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin

Reviews

4.2
26 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the exceptional views, cleanliness, and unique experience of staying in a fire lookout. Common sentiments include appreciation for the remote location, wildlife sightings, and star-filled night skies. However, concerns about the lack of heat during colder months and occasional pest issues were raised.
Review Summaries
Based on 26 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive feedback includes the incredible views, comfortable amenities, and memorable experiences with nature and solitude. "The view of the night sky, the sunset was unbelievable." "Fall Mt. was...
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Based on 26 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback includes insufficient heating, pest issues, and aged furnishings. "The space heater was woefully inadequate at providing heat for a comfortable stay." "There is a mouse in the...
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Based on 26 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing mouse traps, adequate bedding for colder months, and vehicles with high clearance for the rough access road. "Word to the next. Bring a mouse trap!" "Wouldn’t try in a 2...
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Based on 26 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews suggest that late spring through early fall offers the best experience, with stunning sunsets and wildlife viewing. Cold temperatures and pests (mosquitoes, mice) are more common during...
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Based on 26 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Quiet location, and nice cabin. Surrounding area was severely burned in 2017, but the lookout area survived." "Views and accommodations are unbeatable." "Sunset and sunrise here was stunning!"...
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Based on 26 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Most reviews pertain to the single cabin available, highlighting its charm despite occasional maintenance issues, such as pests or outdated furnishings.
Based on 26 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews on accessibility features; however, the lookout is reachable by vehicle, though a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the narrow and rough road.
Based on 26 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Reviews do not mention pet-related experiences or features.
Based on 26 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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