Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates1 total site
Cabins
1 site
About Calpine Lookout
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- BBQ
- Fire Pit
On Site Services
- Propane
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Calpine Lookout.
001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
Site Details
Reviews (31)
What Guests Are Saying
Calpine Lookout offers a comfortable and memorable experience with breathtaking views, making it a favorite for repeat visitors. Guests appreciate the serene setting, abundant wildlife, and opportunities for hiking and stargazing. While there were minor logistical issues and suggestions for improvements, the overall impression is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the beauty and tranquility of the location.
What Guests Are Saying
Calpine Lookout offers a comfortable and memorable experience with breathtaking views, making it a favorite for repeat visitors. Guests appreciate the serene setting, abundant wildlife, and opportunities for hiking and stargazing. While there were minor logistical issues and suggestions for improvements, the overall impression is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the beauty and tranquility of the location.
Review Summary
Andrea G
VerifiedJuly 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
Beautiful view and serene setting. Star-gazing is fantastic and saw many birds. Be sure to bring bug spray! You'll need a 4wd to get up here.
Christopher T
VerifiedAugust 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
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Morgan N
VerifiedFebruary 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
This is the most magical place! A beautiful hike/snowshoe in. Very grateful for the stove and the fireplace. You will make memories for life here. Thank you for preserving and protecting this place.
Bill B
VerifiedMarch 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
Absolutely spectacular. Timothy Evans is the best!
Martin K
VerifiedMarch 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
Another magical stay at the Calpine Fire Lookout. And a shoutout to the facility’s manager Mr. Evans who keeps everything in the fire lookout in working orders. Our stay usually includes hiking (and in winter snowshoeing) in the nearby woods, and a visit to the nearby hot springs for a day of soak and relaxation.
Matthew H
VerifiedApril 13, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
The Calpine Fire lookout was absolutely amazing and a truly memorable visit for my father and 9-year old son. We enjoyed everything about the fire lookout and would jump at the chance to come back.
Thank you
Stacey A
VerifiedApril 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
Loved it here, such a great experience and loves being alone in the forest.
Kimberly P
VerifiedJune 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
My second time staying here and it never fails to amaze. This time I got snow in May and was thrilled to have a propane stove. Sign the guest book and leave it better than you found it. My suggestion would be to take a small side quest to lower Sardine Lake.
@kimberlyhasretrieverfever
ashley h
VerifiedJuly 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
Beautiful location! We saw purple finch, olive-sided flycatcher, Steller's Jay, mountain chickadee, pygmy nuthatch, whiteheaded woodpecker, yellow-rumped warblers, and Northern flicker flying around stunning manzanita, white fir, ponderosa pine, and incense cedar. I learned my dog is afraid of heights, and recommend you only bring a dog you can carry!
dorothy R
VerifiedJuly 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA CALPINE C.O.
It was confusing to have the pre paperwork say, "come to the ranger station and get the codes" and also "the codes will be emailed to you"
Location Calpine Lookout
Address:
Sierraville Ranger District
Sierraville, CA, 96126
United States
From Sierraville, the lookout is approximately 10 miles north on State Highway 89. Renters will be given a renters packet after check-in with the best access or parking based on current weather conditions. During the winter months, access is by snowshoes, skiis or snowmobiles on a 2 mile trail with a 1000 foot elevation gain.
Calpine Lookout is accessible via State Highway 89, which is approximately 10 miles south from Sierraville.
Elevation: 1776 feet
11 mi drive to downtown Sierraville (about 19 min)
Policies & Rules
General
- Approximately 2 weeks before arrival, the Sierraville Ranger District will contact renters to confirm the reservation and give check-in instructions by email. Contact the Sierraville Office at (530) 994-3401 (Monday through Friday) for road and weather conditions or fire restrictions.
- Weather conditions and snow may cause the access road to be closed. The gate combination will not be given under these conditions and the only access to the lookout will be on foot.
- The key for the lookout is kept in a lockbox at the lookout; renters will be given the combination to the gate and the lockbox upon check-in.
- Snowshoes, skis or snowmobiles are required to access the lookout when snow is present. Remember you must also pack in all your supplies and water.
- In winter conditions, temperatures may be as low as -21 degrees; cold weather clothing is required.
- No water is available; visitors must bring their own supply.
- Pack out all food and trash.
- Lightning may be a hazard during summer storms.
- Renters need to provide a valid contact phone number on their reservation so the district staff may contact renters with check-in procedures and current conditions before arrival.
- Learn more about Tahoe National Forest
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: September 3, 2026
