Calpine Lookout
Calpine is a forest fire lookout tower that was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and is one of three remaining examples of the enclosed windmill-style lookout in California. The lookout was actively used every summer until 1975. It is a three-story structure with external stairs. The top room or observation cab is the only rentable space at this time. This is a popular rental facility that is booked almost every night of the year. Calpine sits at an elevation of 5,980 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of the Tahoe National Forest, approximately 40 miles from Truckee, California. During the summer, renters can drive directly to the base of the tower.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | People / vehicles | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | 2 / 2 | Prime |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
The interior of the cab measures 14' by 14' and currently has two single twin beds, a dry sink, a table and chairs, three propane lights, a propane heater, a propane stove/oven and a fire finder. A limited assortment of cooking utensils, pots and pans are provided. The facility has its own propane tank. An accessible vault toilet,a picnic table and fire ring are located outside, at the base of the lookout. When fire restrictions go into effect during the summer, no campfires are permitted. Visitors should plan on bringing their own bedding, groceries, toilet paper and other personal items. Check-in is after 1:00 pm, check-out is by 12:00 pm.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sierraville, the lookout is approximately 10 miles north on State Highway 89. Renters will be given a renters packet after check-in with the best access or parking based on current weather conditions. During the winter months, access is by snowshoes, skiis or snowmobiles on a 2 mile trail with a 1000 foot elevation gain.
| Nearest town | Sierraville, California |
| Coordinates | 39.6789° N, 120.4622° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Firewood is not provided.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 26 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Upcycled Adventures ↗ | 26.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | DeMartini RV Sales ↗ | 44.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 6 miSierra Valley Shooting Range ↗OHV / range
- 10 miSalmon Lake -Boat Ramp Boating Site ↗Boat launch
- 10.9 miPacker Lake - Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 13.1 mi
Trails nearby
- 1 miMcNair1 mi trail
- 2.7 miChapman1.1 mi trail
- 3 miBear Trap Meadow ↗5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3 miLunch Creek Nordic2.5 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 4.1 miChapman Creek2.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.5 miYuba Webber ↗15 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Tahoe National Forest, which overlaps Plumas National Forest.
- inTahoe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,181,139 acres
- inPlumas National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,431,953 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Sierraville SchoolBuilding · Sierraville · 8.2 mi
- Sierra City SchoolBuilding · Sierra City · 11.8 mi
- Webber Lake HotelBuilding · Sierraville · 13 mi
Natural features
The lookout tower sits on a mountain top with views of the Sierra Valley, Haskell Peak to the west, Nevada to the east and Lassen Peak to the far northwest. The lookout is approximately a half hour of travel time from Sand Pond, Sardine Lakes and the Lakes Basin Area. Wildlife is abundant in the area. On a clear night, renters can gaze on an almost endless galaxy of stars and meteorites.
Recreation
Hiking and mountain biking trails are within 15 miles of the lookout. The Pacific Crest Trail can be accessed approximately 20 miles away.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Calpine Lookout?
Sites at Calpine Lookout are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Calpine Lookout?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Calpine Lookout have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Calpine Lookout?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Calpine Lookout?
Hiking and mountain biking trails are within 15 miles of the lookout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Calpine Lookout?
Sierraville, California.
Source: Getting there
What if Calpine Lookout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Yuba Pass Campground (4.6 mi), Chapman (5.6 mi), and Sierra (6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby