Drake Peak Lookout
Located on the crest of the Warner Mountain Range at an elevation of 8,222 feet, Drake Peak Lookout hugs the wind-swept land surrounding it, offering unparalleled views into Oregon, California and Nevada. The lookout was built in 1948 and has served as a fire detection site for the surrounding area. Historically, Forest Service personnel lived long seasons in the cabin, scanning the region for lightning, flames, curls of smoke or any other indicator of possible forest fires. At one time, hundreds of these types of lookouts were in service throughout the Pacific Northwest.
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 / 2 | 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 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
The small, 14 x 14-foot lookout is designed to accommodate up to four people and is furnished with folding cots, a table and chairs, a wood stove for heat and limited counter space for food preparation. A picnic table is located outdoors, as is a vault toilet. There is no water on site, so guests must bring sufficient supplies for drinking, cooking and washing. Guests may fill water jugs at Mud Creek Campground approximately 6 miles away. Guests must also provide their own sleeping bags, sleeping pads, towels, dish soap, matches, cooking gear, first aid kit and firewood. Although lighting is available, it is recommended that guests bring an additional light source in case of emergencies. The Forest Service does not provide firewood for this facility.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From the Lakeview Ranger District Office, travel 6 miles north on Highway 395, and turn right on Highway 140. Take Highway 140 east for 8 miles, then turn left on Forest Road 3615. Continue on Forest Road 3615 for 7.5 miles and turn right on Forest Road 019. Follow Forest Road 019 for 5 miles to the lookout.
| Nearest town | Lakeview, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 42.3006° N, 120.1578° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 1.2 miSouth Fork Crooked Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 5.4 miSwale Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miSpur to Drake Peak ↗6 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.2 miCrane Mtn. Nat'L Rec Trail ↗28.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 3.4 miSpur on Rd 3720 ↗6.2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.8 miSpur AT Walker TH3.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.2 miSouth Fork Crooked Creek Trailhead ↗Fremont-Winema National Forest · Season 06/15 to 09/15; 09/16-06/14 Open with reduced services
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
Fremont-Winema National Forest begins about 11.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 11.6 miFremont-Winema National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,815,968 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
- Bailey and Massingill StoreBuilding · Lakeview · 12.2 mi
- Post and King SaloonBuilding · Lakeview · 12.2 mi
- Alger TheatreBuilding · Lakeview · 12.3 mi
Natural features
Drake Peak Lookout sits beneath a vast sky, overlooking distant peaks, volcanic landscapes and wide-open sage basins. From its scenic perch, the lookout offers panoramic vistas and glimpses into wild places where visitors can still find solitude. Although the lookout does not sit on Drake Peak, the nearby mountain is one of several high peaks in the immediate vicinity, including Twelvemile Peak, Light Peak and Crook Peak. Composed of uplifted and eroded basalt, and sparse vegetation, views from this mountain offer unobstructed views of unique geological landforms. Diverse habitats support a variety of species. Deer, Rocky Mountain elk and pronghorn find homes in nearby forests, while several varieties of trout inhabit the lakes and streams. In the spring and fall, migrating geese, ducks and swans frame the Oregon sky. Black bears, mountain lions and bobcats, also find homes in the surrounding area.
Recreation
Hiking, stargazing and wildlife viewing are popular activities. The Drake-McDowell area provides solitude for backpackers and horseback riders with spectacular views of the Warner Mountains, Hart Mountain, Warner Valley and Abert Rim. A hike to the summit of Drake Peak is a popular excursion from the lookout. At night the lookout is an ideal setting for stargazing, as constellations and planets put on a dazzling display.
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Drake Peak Lookout?
Sites at Drake Peak 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 Drake Peak Lookout?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Drake Peak Lookout have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Drake Peak Lookout?
Yes, pets are allowed at Drake Peak Lookout. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Drake Peak Lookout?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile 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 Drake Peak Lookout?
Hiking, stargazing and wildlife viewing are popular activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Drake Peak Lookout?
Lakeview, Oregon.
Source: Getting there
What if Drake Peak Lookout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Mud Creek Campground (2.8 mi, first-come), Can Springs Campground (5.5 mi, first-come), and Vee Lake Trailhead/Campground (8.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby