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Timber Butte Lookout is located in the Fall Creek area of the Willamette National Forest at an elevation of 3,650 feet 19 miles from Lowell, Oregon. The cabin is open from mid-April through late October, offering the chance to enjoy beautiful scenery and a variety of recreational activities. The lookout was constructed in 2005 as a replica of the L-4 gabled-style lookout with wooden catwalk commonly built in this region in the 1930s. It was built through volunteer efforts with a $10,000 grant from Lane County and other contributions by individuals and organizations. The cabin can be accessed by car, but guests should expect to walk about 300 feet uphill from their parking spot. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
The lookout is located near the Fall Creek Trail Area. Several hiking trails can be accessed from this area, including the Fall Creek National Recreation Trail, which also offers opportunities for fishing and picnicking. Swimming holes can also be found along this trail.
Hunting is another popular activity in this area.
The 14x14-ft. cabin is encircled by a catwalk. It sits slightly off the ground and is accessed by a ramp. The cabin accommodates 4 people and contains a double bed with sleeping pad, a propane heating stove, fire extinguisher, broom and dustpan. A 3-burner propane cook top is located on the deck. Propane is provided. Dishes and cookware are available. A picnic table and fire ring are located in a nearby group of trees, and a vault toilet is located about 300 feet away. No drinking water or electricity is provided. Guests must bring their own supply of drinking water. Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, towels and an ice chest are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.
The lookout offers panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains and the surrounding evergreen forest. On clear days, guests may see Mount Jefferson and the peaks of the Three Sisters. Willamette National Forest offers prime habitat for such species as Roosevelt elk, black bear, bald eagles, black tail deer and bobcats, among other wildlife.
Guests can explore up to 20 historic covered bridges in nearby Lane County by car. Within 10 miles there is creek access, fishing, swimming, and hiking.
**Do not use the Google map suggested routes** this will take you through areas with many rock/logging trucks on one lane roads. The following route is not faster and the roads have many potholes but is the safer route.
Total mileage from Lowell to Timber Butte Cabin is 19 miles and will be around 1 hour drive time. From Interstate 5 (I-5), take Highway 58 East (Exit 188) and travel for 13 miles toward Oakridge. Turn left off of Highway 58 at the Lowell covered bridge and proceed toward the town of Lowell. At the 4-way junction in Lowell, turn left onto Boundary Road. Take the next right (Moss Street) for 2 miles to the crossroads of Unity, where you'll see another covered bridge. Turn right (east) onto Big Fall Creek Road (18) and proceed 1/2 mile and turn right onto FSR 1802 (Winberry Creek Road), continue up approx. 12 miles. Turn left onto FSR 1821 and proceed approx. 1.5 miles. At the T junction turn left and continue 0.5 miles. Then turn left onto FSR 1821-168 for 1 mile, beware of logging trucks for this one mile stretch. Turn right onto FSR 1816-175 and after 100 yards turn left onto FSR 1816-131 (gated entrance road to the cabin). Look for the signs that say TB with arrows that point the way.
**The last mile of the road is brushy and road conditions make a high clearance vehicle necessary.**
Cabin parking is located about 1 mile up FSR 1816-131, adjacent to the outhouse.
Had a flat tire and came across this cabin, super cute and great views!
Beautiful, Stunning
Except the not so good road signs
Or the fire ants, or the carpenter ants in the bed!
Cant wait for the next time! So worth the quiet and peacefulness
Price recently raised to $80
Furnished "cabin" with propane heat and range.
No water source.
No insulation and walls are made of single pane glass windows.
No electricity??? Has a power line but it looks ancient.
Views are ok.
Easy drive up from big fall creek rd.
Has a toilet room down the hill.
There is a fire ring and picnic table in the woods out back.
What a cool cabin! Very secluded but the propane stove and fire place where a HUGE bonus out there. The fire pit and picnic table that are tucked away made a super cozy place to eat and feel like you were a part of the forest. I would definitely go back!
Cute and quiet, an amazing refuge. Minimalist perfection w 1 bed, desk, and table, stoves for heating and cooking. You must carry water in, but it’s only a few hundred feet. The road is not as bad as I feared—I rented a high-clearance Ford, but a careful driver could get any car up here. (In good weather.). Photos show supplies in house as of Sept. 1, 2022, including some food, pots & pans, utensils (except forks!) & board games. Only complaint: the view is mostly closed off by trees.
