Lookout rental · U.S. Forest Service · Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest · Gold Beach, OR

Lake Of The Woods Lookout

Lake of the Woods Lookout is surrounded by mountainous terrain, forested hillsides and spectacular views within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in southwestern Oregon. The flat-roofed cabin was originally a "ground house" located on Barklow Mountain in the Powers Ranger District. It was flown by helicopter to its present location and placed on a 12 ft. tower and catwalk in 1974. It was then staffed during fire seasons from 1974 to 1996. The lookout offers some amenities, but guests are asked to bring a few of their own supplies to ensure a safe and comfortable stay.

Lookout rentalReservable · Recreation.gov1 site
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Lake Of The Woods LookoutLAKE OF THE WOODS LOOKOUTLAKE OF THE WOODS LOOKOUTLAKE OF THE WOODS LOOKOUT
Photos courtesy of USFS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Cabins1
This lookout is booked as a single unit on Recreation.gov. The booking page shows which dates are open and how far ahead they release. How the booking window works

Site guide

1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteSurfacePeople / vehiclesFires
C01Gravel4 / –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 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

The lookout is a one-room cabin, able to accommodate up to four people. It is equipped with a double bed with a mattress, a table and two chairs, solar lights, cleaning supplies and a fire extinguisher. Shower stall is provided, however, guests must provide the water. On site, adjacent to the lookout, there is a picnic table and a campfire ring for outdoor dining. A pit toilet is also located outside the tower. There is sufficient room for one tent, but the ground is extremely rocky. Guests to this lookout should be prepared for a rustic camping experience, and will need to bring several of their own supplies. There is no water on site, so visitors must bring a sufficient amount for drinking, cooking and washing. Guests must also provide their own sleeping bags, sleeping pads, towels, dish soap, matches, cooking gear, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. Although lighting is provided, it is recommended guests bring an additional light source in case of emergency.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Lake Of The Woods Lookout40°50°60°70°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 44.2°F averageFebruary: 45.9°F averageMarch: 49.0°F averageApril: 52.3°F averageMay: 59.1°F averageJune: 64.7°F averageJuly: 71.0°F averageAugust: 71.5°F averageSeptember: 67.0°F averageOctober: 56.3°F averageNovember: 47.4°F averageDecember: 43.1°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Illahe, 4 miles from the campground at 348 feet, station USC00354133 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

From Portland take 1-5 S to OR 38W, Follow US 101 to Gold Beach. From Gold Beach, Oregon, on the north end of the town, turn east off of US Highway 101 onto County Road 595 (Jerry's Flat Road). Travel east on County Road 595 which becomes Forest Road 33. Turn left at 11.4 miles on to Forest Road 3310, cross bridge and go 13.7 miles.

Nearest townGold Beach, Oregon
Coordinates42.5939° N, 124.1283° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗4.8 mi
Outdoor gearRogue Outdoor Store ↗19.1 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Worth a stop

Opportunities for swimming and fishing are within 10 miles of the lookout.

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 2.9 mi
    Lake O Woods
    0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 3.9 mi
    Southard Lake
    0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4 mi
    Lower Rogue River ↗
    11.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
  • 4.4 mi
    Pine Grove ↗
    5.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4.8 mi
    Rogue River (NRT) ↗
    14.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other

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

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests.

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.

Natural features

Lake of the Woods Lookout provides a panoramic view with vistas of the Pacific Ocean, the Kalmiopsis and Wild Rogue Wilderness areas, and the Wild and Scenic Illinois and Rogue River canyons. In the spring, the nearby Lake of the Woods, which is actually a fairly small shallow pond, is surrounded by wildflowers and welcomes the arrival of several species of birds and butterflies. As summer progresses, the lake fills in with tall reeds and grasses. Lightning storms are a part of the thrill of staying at a lookout, but they are also extremely dangerous. If a lightning storm should occur, guests are urged to follow these safety rules to minimize the danger: Stay indoors or completely inside your car If you are trapped outside during a lightning storm, move to lower ground and stay low to the ground. Do not stand under trees or other high objects. If you are in the lookout building, close the windows and doors. Lightning follows air currents: Do not touch anything metal. The Lookout has metal stairs and a metal walkway around the cabin; It is imperative guests do not stand at these locations during storms.

Recreation

Hiking, mountain biking and stargazing are popular among guests at the lookout. Seasonal changes envelope the area as snowmelt gives rise to spring time flowers, and vivid autumn colors welcome a landscape blanketed with snow. Logging roads and trails extend from the area, providing guests with opportunities to explore the area's old-growth forests, rugged and steep river canyons and a variety of wildlife. Far away from city lights, the lookout provides a fantastic opportunity for stargazing. Guests to the lookout search for constellations, planets and are treated to an occasional meteor slashing the night sky.

Guidebooks for Oregon

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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 Lake Of The Woods Lookout?

Sites at Lake Of The Woods 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 Lake Of The Woods Lookout?

Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Lake Of The Woods Lookout have?

1 site, including 1 cabin.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Lake Of The Woods Lookout?

Shower stall is provided, however, guests must provide the water.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Lake Of The Woods Lookout?

FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at Lake Of The Woods Lookout?

Hiking, mountain biking and stargazing are popular among guests at the lookout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Lake Of The Woods Lookout?

Gold Beach, Oregon. Opportunities for swimming and fishing are within 10 miles of the lookout.

Source: Getting there

What if Lake Of The Woods Lookout is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Foster Bar Campground (4.6 mi), Oak Flat Campground (6.8 mi, first-come), and Laird Lake Campground (8.4 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby