Pickett Butte Lookout
Perched atop Pickett Butte at an elevation of 3,200 feet, this lookout offers visitors a unique lodging experience in Umpqua National Forest in southwest Oregon. After climbing 40 feet up on a very narrow steep stairway to the one-room structure, guests are rewarded with panoramic views of the entire Jackson Creek Drainage and much of the lower elevation lands around the town of Tiller. The original lookout was 25 feet tall and built in 1934. In 1948 the tower was replaced with the current flat top structure. The tower is available for reservations October 15 through July 15 (lookout is utilized for fire season during the summer months).
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | 4 / 4 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 11:00 AM, checkout 10: AM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The lookout cabin is a 12 x 12 room, set 40 feet above the ground. It is furnished with a single bed, and a small table and chair, and is equipped with a propane heater, lanterns, cooking stove with oven and a refrigerator (propane is provided). A vault toilet is located at the lookout site. There is a pulley system available to transport items from the ground to the lookout (use at your own risk). There is no water at the site, so visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. Potable water is available at a spigot in front of the Tiller Ranger Station office (20 minutes away via car). Guests must bring several of their own supplies, including food, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, towels, dish soap, matches, cooking gear, toilet paper and garbage bags. There is no trash service. Pack out all food and garbage.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Important note regarding GPS use: please be advised that GPS units can, and have sent guests down the wrong roads to access the lookout. Please consider following the directions below rather than your GPS unit. Directions: From Canyonville take West 1st Street and turn onto SE 3rd St/OR-227.
| Nearest town | Tiller, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 42.9437° N, 122.8547° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Long Prairie
11 mi from the campground · 112 acres
- PrescribedRx Cold Springs
38 mi from the campground · 158 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 30.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 33 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blue Dog RV of Oregon ↗ | 39.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Visitors may want to take some time to visit nearby Crater Lake National Park for a glimpse into the area's fascinating geological and cultural history.
- 11.3 miCougar Butte Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 13.8 miAbbott Butte Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miNfst-31133610.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.4 miNfst-31132450.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.5 miNfst-31133300.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.6 miNfst-31133200.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.6 miNfst-31133590.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.7 miNfst-31133210.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
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
Umpqua National Forest begins about 0.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.4 miUmpqua National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,035,837 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
- Milo Academy BridgeStructure · Days Creek · 9.3 mi
- Whaleback Snow–Survey CabinBuilding · Prospect · 14 mi
Natural features
In 1898, homesteader William T. Pickett rode into this area on horseback and decided to stay and build a life and home. Perched atop the butte named after him, the Pickett Butte Lookout offers a view of the entire Jackson Creek Drainage and much of the lower elevation lands around the town of Tiller. The Rogue-Umpqua Divide, south and east of Pickett Butte, has scenic peak landmarks, which are capped with snow until early summer. Water is abundant in streams and a handful of lakes in the area, and diverse plant communities provide habitat for abundant wildlife ranging from hummingbird to black bear. Learn more about bear safety.
Recreation
Hiking, birding and wildlife viewing are popular among guests. Seasonal changes envelope the area as snowmelt gives rise to spring flowers and vivid autumn colors welcome a landscape dusted with snow. Guests may enjoy a day of scenic driving along a portion of the 172-miles Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway. Mountain and river scenery unfold along the highway, showcasing everything from rolling oak-covered hills and towering coniferous forests to roaring white water rapids and incised inter-canyon lava flows. Swimming at the Three C Rock Picnic Area, about 7 miles from the lookout, is also a refreshing way to spend a warm summer afternoon.
Guidebooks for Oregon
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Pickett Butte Lookout?
Sites at Pickett Butte 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 Pickett Butte Lookout?
Check-in 11:00 AM, checkout 10: AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Pickett Butte Lookout have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Pickett Butte Lookout?
Yes, pets are allowed at Pickett Butte Lookout. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Pickett Butte Lookout?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Pickett Butte Lookout?
Hiking, birding and wildlife viewing are popular among guests. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Pickett Butte Lookout?
Tiller, Oregon. Visitors may want to take some time to visit nearby Crater Lake National Park for a glimpse into the area's fascinating geological and cultural history.
Source: Getting there
What if Pickett Butte Lookout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Three C Rock Campground (2.2 mi, first-come), Dumont Creek Campground (6.7 mi, first-come), and Boulder Creek Campground (8.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby