How to camp in Oregon’s wildfire lookouts
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If you want a million-dollar view for less than $100 a night, one option rises above the rest: camping in a wildfire lookout tower.
The big picture: The U.S. Forest Service rents dozens of old, remote fire lookouts now that infrared tools and aircraft have replaced human eyes in most areas.
Catch up quick: Foresters built about 5,000 watch stations around the western states after massive wildfires in 1910 consumed about 20 million acres and killed more than 80 people in Montana and Idaho.
- Before that, there wasn't a coordinated wildfire alert system.
By the numbers: As of 2019, about 300 were still staffed, mostly by volunteers who regularly scan the landscape and sound the alarm as needed.
- Now, about 75 "retired" lookouts are available for visitors to rent in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
How it works: Explore the options at Recreation.gov by filtering for lookouts.
- Mark your calendar for the dates that reservations at the individual sites you're interested in can be booked. Bookings get snapped up quickly.
- Availability for some Oregon sites (including one near Mount Hood) open today at 7am, while others open in the fall for dates next summer.
The fine print: Check the tower's page to learn about parking, guest capacity, cell service, electricity and water — and how to get up there.
- Some are on the ground, others are on rocks or at the top of a lot of stairs.
- Prices range from $30 to $100 per night.