Acorn Woman Peak Lookout

4.94

30 reviews

6941 Upper Applegate Road

Scenic ViewsPeace & QuietStargazing

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds

Quick Facts

4,905 ft

Price

$65/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open snow-free seaso...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

4,905 ft

Price

$65/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open snow-free seaso...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Acorn Woman Peak Lookout

$65.00 - $65.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The nightly fee is $65 during the peak season (May 22 to September 22, 2025), not inclusive of taxes and reservation fees.

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

541-899-3800

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What Campers Say

4.94

Top-Rated

Based on 30 reviews

Most mentioned

views

"Visitors overwhelmingly appreciate the solitude, stunning views, and rustic charm of Acorn Woman Peak Lookout. However, guests note its primitive nature and emphasize the need to come fully prepared. Seasons affect experiences, with summer smoke occasionally detracting from the views."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

6941 Upper Applegate Road

Acorn Woman Peak Lookout

6941 Upper Applegate Road

Driving directionsStarting in Jacksonville, drive on Highway 238 west 8 miles to the town of Ruch. Turn left on Upper Applegate Road and proceed 10.2 miles to Forest Road 20, (Beaver Creek Road). Turn left and go 4.1 miles to the junction of Forest Road 20 and Forest Road 2010 (Hanley Gulch Road). Turn right and go 5.1 miles to the junction of Forest Road 2010 and Forest Road 2010/350. Open the locked gate with the combination on your reservation slip, and re-lock the gate behind you. Go 1 mile to Acorn Woman Peak Lookout.

The access road is steep and windy and may not be suitable for passenger vehicles or large trucks. Access road is gated and locked with a combination lock provided in the reservation confirmation.

Nearby places

Jacksonville (8 miles), Ruch (10.2 miles), Applegate (15.3 miles)

Nearby supplies

Supplies can be obtained in Jacksonville or Ruch, where there are grocery stores, fuel stations, and camping supply shops.

Best Time to Camp at Acorn Woman Peak Lookout

Summer transforms Acorn Woman Peak into a sun-drenched paradise, with crystal-clear skies revealing distant peaks and valleys in stunning detail. The dry, moderate temperatures of peak season create perfect conditions for stargazing, sunrise photography, and leisurely afternoons watching clouds drift across the vast landscape below. As autumn approaches, the weather remains cooperative for adventurous souls, though wise visitors come prepared for mountain conditions that can shift without warning. Winter blankets the lookout in snow and solitude, making it accessible only to the most determined explorers equipped for extreme cold and challenging conditions.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season with sun-drenched skies and excellent visibility; occasional summer smoke noted by reviewers.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.0 / 5

Site closes Sep 22; early fall may still be scenic but access/season is limited.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Late spring/early summer offers clearest conditions and great stargazing per seasonal notes.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Site closed in snowy months; listed open snow-free season only.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22, 2025 - September 22, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open snow-free season (May 22, 2025 - September 22, 2025).

About Acorn Woman Peak Lookout

Perched high in the Siskiyou Mountains, Acorn Woman Peak Lookout stands as a testament to both history and adventure. This 1942 L-4 style cabin, recognized on the National Historic Site Registry, wraps visitors in a 360-degree embrace of glass windows that frame some of Oregon's most spectacular mountain vistas. While the accommodations remain delightfully primitive—true to its original fire-watching purpose—the experience is anything but basic. Here, you'll trade modern conveniences for something far more valuable: an authentic connection to the wilderness and a front-row seat to nature's grand theater.

Acorn Woman Peak Lookout offers a unique and historic lodging experience. It combines primitive camping with a stay in a historic fire lookout.

Historical SignificanceStep inside a living piece of American history at this World War II-era fire lookout, where forest guardians have kept watch over the wilderness since 1942. The cabin's weathered walls tell stories of countless seasons spent protecting these ancient forests, while the original Osborne Firefinder—still operational after eight decades—serves as a fascinating reminder of the ingenuity used to safeguard our natural treasures. This National Historic Site Registry landmark offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the solitary, purposeful life of fire lookouts who once called these remote peaks home.

Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms Acorn Woman Peak into a sun-drenched paradise, with crystal-clear skies revealing distant peaks and valleys in stunning detail. The dry, moderate temperatures of peak season create perfect conditions for stargazing, sunrise photography, and leisurely afternoons watching clouds drift across the vast landscape below. As autumn approaches, the weather remains cooperative for adventurous souls, though wise visitors come prepared for mountain conditions that can shift without warning. Winter blankets the lookout in snow and solitude, making it accessible only to the most determined explorers equipped for extreme cold and challenging conditions.

ElevationFrom its lofty mountain throne, Acorn Woman Peak Lookout commands a bird's-eye perspective that will leave you breathless—and not just from the altitude. This high-elevation sanctuary places you above the everyday world, where eagles soar at eye level and weather systems unfold like slow-motion theater below. The thin mountain air carries a clarity that sharpens every view, making distant peaks seem close enough to touch and revealing hidden valleys that remain invisible from lower vantage points.

Natural Features and SceneryPrepare for sensory overload as nature unveils her masterpiece collection from every window. The rugged Red Buttes Wilderness stretches endlessly before you, while the jewel-like waters of Acorn Woman Lake sparkle in the valley below. Your gaze can wander from the intimate folds of the Little Applegate Valley to the distant majesty of Crater Lake's sapphire rim. On those magical clear days, Mt. Bailey and Mt. Thielsen pierce the horizon like ancient sentinels, creating a panorama that transforms with each shift of light, from rose-gold dawn to star-studded twilight.

Geological RegionThe ancient Siskiyou Mountains cradle this lookout in their weathered embrace, offering a front-row seat to one of the West's most geologically diverse landscapes. From this privileged perch, witness the dramatic collision of ecosystems where the Cascade Range meets the older, more complex Siskiyous. The rugged terrain tells a story written in stone—volcanic peaks like Mt. McLaughlin stand in stark contrast to the twisted metamorphic ridges of the Red Buttes Wilderness. Below, the Rogue Valley spreads like a rumpled quilt, while Wagner Butte rises as a familiar landmark, and on the clearest days, the volcanic caldera of Crater Lake haunts the northern horizon like a blue mirage.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in at 14:00

Check-out

Check-out at 12:00

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 5 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

One or two people can stay in the cabin.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSingle cabin designed for a maximum of two guests.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

Walk-in AvailabilityNo walk-up availability specified; reservations are required.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled any time before the day of scheduled arrival with refunds subject to cancellation fees: $10 fee, plus forfeiting the first night's recreation use fee for cancellations less than 14 days before check-in.

AccessibilityThe steep, winding access road and primitive facilities may make the site difficult to access for people with mobility impairments.

Site SizeThe cabin is 14x14 feet, designed to accommodate one to two people.

PrivacyHighly private due to its remote and solitary location. "There weren't any people nearby," one reviewer noted.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesBring sleeping pads or air mattresses due to lack of beds. Follow the directions on Recreation.gov closely; do not rely on GPS for navigation.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

Guests can enjoy activities focused on appreciating the natural surroundings, including photography, stargazing, wildlife viewing, and birding. The location offers unparalleled views for scenic enjoyment and a peaceful setting for unplugging from technology.

HikingWhile no trails are explicitly mentioned as starting from the site, the surrounding wilderness offers hiking opportunities, including access to nearby designated areas like the Red Buttes Wilderness.

FishingFishing is available year-round in nearby lakes such as Acorn Woman Lakes and Applegate Lake.

BoatingBoating is available at nearby Applegate Lake, which features boat ramps and other related facilities.

Wildlife viewingThe area is rich in biodiversity. Birds, butterflies, and other wildlife native to the Siskiyou Mountains are commonly seen here.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include steep drop-offs, poison oak, rattlesnakes, ticks, and scorpions. Guests are advised to exercise caution.

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

Fire PolicyFirepit is available on-site but firewood is not provided. Compliance with fire season restrictions is necessary.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are in Jacksonville, including hospitals and police stations. The Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District provides management services.

Trash & RecyclingThis is a 'Pack it in, Pack it out' facility. Guests must take all their garbage with them when leaving.

Water FeaturesClose to Acorn Woman Lake and Applegate Lake, offering fishing and recreational opportunities.

Camp HostManaged by Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District.

Weather at Acorn Woman Peak Lookout

Reviews

4.9

30 reviews

Top-Rated

Acorn Woman Peak Lookout is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors overwhelmingly appreciate the solitude, stunning views, and rustic charm of Acorn Woman Peak Lookout. However, guests note its primitive nature and emphasize the need to come fully prepared. Seasons affect experiences, with summer smoke occasionally detracting from the views.

Review Summaries

Based on 30 reviews

What Campers Love

Guests frequently describe the views as 'amazing' and 'breathtaking,' particularly praising the sunsets and night skies for stargazing. Many reviewers value the solitude and opportunity to unplug...

Based on 30 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include the lack of cleanliness in some cases, as noted by reviewers who mentioned the need for a quick mop or dusting upon arrival. The steep and narrow access road was also...

Based on 30 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors strongly recommend bringing all necessary supplies, including water, bedding, and cooking equipment. Several reviewers advised against relying on GPS and stressed using the directions...

Based on 30 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer visitors occasionally experience smoke that affects views, while spring and early summer provide the clearest conditions for stargazing and scenic photography.

Based on 30 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'Just a shelter with an amazing view.' - Amber Christiansen - 'The road up is steep and narrow, but I made it in a Corolla.' - Amber Christiansen - 'Bring your own drinking water and supplies.' -...

Based on 30 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Acorn Woman Peak Lookout is specifically praised for its views and historical charm. One visitor described it as 'one of the cleanest fire towers I’ve stayed in.'

Based on 30 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews address accessibility, though the steep road and lack of modern facilities suggest challenges for those with mobility impairments.

Based on 30 reviews