on Green Ridge Lookout near Sisters, Oregon
Wildfires are certainly no picnic here in Central Oregon, and for most of fire season volunteers keep watch from high vantage points at fire lookout towers scattered throughout the region. In late spring and fall, however, those cabins-on-stilts are available for campers to rent. Renting a fire lookout tower makes for a memorable experience–and a unique base camp for hiking, biking and fishing adventures.
Like most public campsites in Oregon, lookouts are reserved through www.recreation.gov. By selecting “Cabins and Lookouts” in Oregon, using “range of dates” instead of a specific date, the site will take you through all the local fire tower possibilities. These reservations get booked months in advance, so it’s best to have your calendar ready and be flexible!
The Green Ridge fire tower sits above the Metolius River, where spectacular sunset views unfold over the Cascades. The lower level of the lookout is an open deck with a picnic table. A campfire ring sits closeby; we cooked pizza pies with pie irons there. A flight of stairs brings you up to the cabin, with a walkway deck all around. The deck has a sturdy railing, but keep an eye on young kids on those stairs.
What to bring for firetower lookout camping
The cabin is well equipped with propane heaters and solar powered lights. There’s a small working kitchen, table and chairs, and a futon for two. The rustic outhouse is just a few minute’s walk away (you’ll need a headlamp to get there after dark!) There is no running water on site, so campers need to bring enough for drinking, washing, and cooking. Other BYO items include sleeping bags and pads, food, TP, towels, dish soap, matches. All garbage should be hauled out.
Maybe hanging at the lookout will be entertainment enough–binoculars and a bird ID book could fill an afternoon! There’s no shortage of more active recreation opportunities nearby. Several hiking trails start from the site, and the Metolius river is a world class fly-fishing spot.
The directions given on the reservation site were not completely accurate. The best way to arrive without a hitch is to call the Sisters Ranger District at 541-549-7700, one week before your reservation date. They will provide the combination for the locks both on a gate at the road and on the cabin stairs, as well as up-to-date driving directions. Plan on about a forty-five minute drive out of Sisters.