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Perched atop Pickett Butte at an elevation of 3,200 feet, this lookout offers visitors a unique lodging experience in Umpqua National Forest in southwest Oregon. After climbing 40 feet up on a very narrow steep stairway to the one-room structure, guests are rewarded with panoramic views of the entire Jackson Creek Drainage and much of the lower elevation lands around the town of Tiller. The original lookout was 25 feet tall and built in 1934. In 1948 the tower was replaced with the current flat top structure. The tower is available for reservations October 15 through July 15 (lookout is utilized for fire season during the summer months). The roads to the lookout are not plowed, nor are they maintained for passenger cars. High clearance or four wheel drive vehicles are recommended for travel to this site, and guests must bring several of their own amenities. Please be aware that while very uncommon, during winter months guests may need to snowmobile, ski or snowshoe up to four miles to reach the lookout.
Hiking, birding and wildlife viewing are popular among guests. Seasonal changes envelope the area as snowmelt gives rise to spring flowers and vivid autumn colors welcome a landscape dusted with snow. Guests may enjoy a day of scenic driving along a portion of the 172-miles Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway. Mountain and river scenery unfold along the highway, showcasing everything from rolling oak-covered hills and towering coniferous forests to roaring white water rapids and incised inter-canyon lava flows. Swimming at the Three C Rock Picnic Area, about 7 miles from the lookout, is also a refreshing way to spend a warm summer afternoon.
The lookout cabin is a 12 x 12 room, set 40 feet above the ground. It is furnished with a single bed, and a small table and chair, and is equipped with a propane heater, lanterns, cooking stove with oven and a refrigerator (propane is provided). A vault toilet is located at the lookout site. There is a pulley system available to transport items from the ground to the lookout (use at your own risk). There is no water at the site, so visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. Potable water is available at a spigot in front of the Tiller Ranger Station office (20 minutes away via car). Guests must bring several of their own supplies, including food, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, towels, dish soap, matches, cooking gear, toilet paper and garbage bags. There is no trash service. Pack out all food and garbage.
In 1898, homesteader William T. Pickett rode into this area on horseback and decided to stay and build a life and home. Perched atop the butte named after him, the Pickett Butte Lookout offers a view of the entire Jackson Creek Drainage and much of the lower elevation lands around the town of Tiller. The Rogue-Umpqua Divide, south and east of Pickett Butte, has scenic peak landmarks, which are capped with snow until early summer.
Water is abundant in streams and a handful of lakes in the area, and diverse plant communities provide habitat for abundant wildlife ranging from hummingbird to black bear.
Visitors may want to take some time to visit nearby Crater Lake National Park for a glimpse into the area's fascinating geological and cultural history.
Important note regarding GPS use: please be advised that GPS units can, and have sent guests down the wrong roads to access the lookout. Please consider following the directions below rather than your GPS unit.
Directions: From Canyonville take West 1st Street and turn onto SE 3rd St/OR-227. Continue to follow OR-227 approximately 23 miles until you reach Tiller. From Tiller take Douglas County Road #46 for 3 miles to the Pickett Butte turn off which is marked as Forest Service Road #3113 (on the right across the bridge). Follow Forest Service Road #3113 approximately 5 miles up to the 300 Spur Road sign (#3113-300). Take the 300 Spur Road up to the lookout (2 miles). The road to the lookout is not snow plowed.
Please use caution during winter months. Pickett Butte's elevation is 3,200 feet and does receive snow. The road to the lookout is not plowed. While very uncommon, during winter months guests may need to snowmobile, ski or snowshoe up to three miles to reach the lookout.
What a beautiful and peaceful location. Easy to get to (our AWD Volvo had no trouble at all), cozy, with outstanding views. The lookout itself has a pulley system to bring up gear, a propane heater, stove, small fridge, a full-sized bed platform & mattress, and a few cooking odds and ends left by visitors. Near the base is a fire pit, two picnic tables, and an outhouse.
A few things to consider:
1) The nights get very cold here (and the lookout provides little insulation thanks to the panoramic windows), so do be prepared for that.
2) The nearest town with a "real" grocery store is Canyonville (we saw signs for a market near the turn-off for the lookout, but did not check it out).
3) Cell reception in the lookout was good for us (using Google Fi).
4) You need to drive through actively logged areas to get to the lookout (but these roads are in VERY good condition, even mid-winter).
All in all, highly recommended!
Useful details for guests besides what's covered on the official site:
Call the ranger station (check their hours!!!) or ask recreation dot gov customer chat for the combination lock code... ahead of time! The email that is supposed to contain the code just does not.
The stairs are about 50 super narrow steep steps with 3 landings including the top. You'll get used to it but your dog will sooo not want to climb them.
There is currently a small frying pan, 2 pots, a strainer pot, can opener, kettle, very few plastic utensils, salt/pepper, dish soap, oil. 4 burner stove, small oven, small fridge with freezer. Cleaning supplies including broom.
Propane heater works but is finicky to start (go to pilot, press hard, jiggle knob until you're sure it's as far down as it can go).
String lights use AA batteries (6).
Bed has plastic cover, no bedding.
A TON of reading material: visitors logs! Also puzzles and uno.
The pulley system for gear is just a small milk crate on a rope you pull up... Still useful.
Others mentioned mice but none in February 2024!
Incredible views, and the facility was clean and well stocked. There is a propane fridge, stove, lights, and heater, which made the chilly nights comfortable inside. GPS on the way up will try to take you up a different forest road (200)... It is NOT the correct way. Stay on 3313.
If you like to find some place with a magnificent view. This is the place. But you really have to pay attention to the instructions when you reserve it. It’s a good hike for anyone that wants to visit there is a gate but you can walk around it. Solitude at its best. Here are the pics. I couldn’t make the fridge to work. The heater works great and the stove does a good job. Bring your stuff. Pans and utensils, a way to keep your food cold, etc. Thanks for following.
The experience was magnificent. The facility was well kept, clean and comfortable. The views are, as you would expect, tremendous. A few caveats, just to make you own excursion more enjoyable. The tower is not dog friendly. The stairs are precipitously steep which means you'd likely have to carry them. You need your hands on these stairs, trust me. Also, bring lots of your own water as there is no source, not even non-potable. Prepare for dynamic weather, freezing cold, tank-top hot, rain, snow, you get the drift. Bring good binoculars, trash bags and firewood. There is little to no scavengeable material for burning. The road leading up to the tower was not ford focus friendly if you get my meaning. Lastly, take some time and read the journals in the cabinet, they are heartwarming.
