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Bald Knob Lookout is perched atop Bald Knob at an elevation of 3,630 feet in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The lookout offers visitors a unique lodging experience and panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Originally developed in 1931 as a lookout site, Bald Knob served as an Aircraft Warning Service (AWS) observation station between 1942 and 1944. The Forest Service removed and replaced the original with the present flat top structure in 1963.
The lookout tower is available for reservations from Memorial Day through October, and guests must bring several of their own amenities to ensure a safe and comfortable stay.
Hiking, birding, and wildlife viewing are popular among guests to this lookout. Seasonal changes envelope the area as snow melt gives rise to spring time flowers, and vivid autumn colors welcome a landscape blanketed with snow. The Panther Ridge Trail is accessible from the facility and follows an historic Native American travel corridor. Approximately 95% of this trail is within the Wild Rogue Wilderness, and is closed to any kind of motorized vehicles or equipment. The trail travels under magnificent stands of old-growth timber and through rhododendron and scrub oak undergrowth. Another notable trail is the nearby Coquille River Falls Trail. The hike switches back and forth through a virgin stand of undisturbed Douglas-fir, hemlock, and Port-Orford cedar trees, ending at the Coquille River Falls. Learn more about the geology of waterfalls along the Coquille River.
The 16 x 16 foot one-room flat top cabin is equipped with basic amenities, including a propane stove, heater, refrigerator and lights. Furnishings include a single bed and a small table and chairs.
Outside amenities include a picnic table and campfire ring. A primitive vault toilet is located approximately 100 feet from the tower. There is no water on site, so visitors must bring plenty of their own for drinking, cooking and washing.
Guests must also supply their own food, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, towels, dish soap, matches, cooking gear, toilet paper and garbage bags. Although propane lighting is available, bringing an additional light source is recommended.
The site has sufficient space for one small tent, but strong winds could blow a tent off the mountain unless adequately weighted down inside.
Visitors to the Bald Knob Lookout will be treated to spectacular views overlooking Eden Valley to the north, the Rogue River to the south, and the forests beyond.
The unique character of the landscapes comprising the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has led to over 340,000 acres of the Forest to be preserved as a designated wilderness area, and over 200 miles of streams as National Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Diverse landscapes provide habitat for a wide range of wildlife, from spotted owls and bull elk to salamanders and sandhill cranes. These species, along with many others, depend on the undeveloped wilderness, undisturbed wetlands, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.
Visit Crater Lake National Park and learn about its unique natural and cultural history. Reaching depths of 1,943 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and one of the ten deepest lakes in the world.
Experience 172 miles of diverse river and mountain landscapes along the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway. Travel from rolling oak-covered hills and towering coniferous forests, to roaring white water rapids and incised inter-canyon lava flows. The highway travels alongside the Upper Rogue and North Umpqua Wild and Scenic Rivers that contain world-class fisheries.
From Portland take 1-5S to OR-42 West. Take OR 542 S to Powers. Drive south from the Powers Ranger District office on Highway 242 through the town of Powers to the Forest boundary. Continue on Forest Service Road 33 along the South Fork of the Coquille River for approximately 11.5 miles to the junction of Forest Service Road 3348. Travel up Forest Service Road 3348 approximately 2 miles to the junction of Forest Service Road 5520. Turn right, and the pavement ends. Take Forest Service Road 5520 for 2 miles, then turn right on Forest Service Road 5520-020, and follow this spur road approximately 2 miles to a gate. Go through the gate and continue through a second gate to the end of the lookout road.
$65.00
We spent two nights here in July. It was amazing. So peaceful and private. We are a family of five, so the adults used the two twin beds, we set up one kid cot in the lookout, and the other two kids slept in a tent down below. There is a new propane stove/oven combo and a nice cold propane fridge. Not much at all for kitchen supplies so bring all that you need. You will get wind noise at night, but that can be reduced by opening/closing certain windows. There are some books, puzzles etc. We spent time chilling on the deck or down by the fire pit. We also got to witness the birth of the "Flat" fire about 10 miles away. It quickly grew and we could see the tankers coming in to dump retardant. Hiked a few trails in the area, the best being Coquille Falls.
This was our first lookout stay and now we're ready to try the rest of Oregon's lookouts.
