Thompson Peak Lookout Tower

This was a great stay for my brother and I. Unfortunately there was smoke from fires to the west that hindered the view. It was a very pleasant evening (a bit warm) and enjoyed the deck that went all around the tower. Cell phone coverage was great as the cell towers were right there. In fact when we got there there were workers doing something on the towers. They did not stay long. I read a previous review of taking a rope to take to haul supplies up from the ground to the third floor. That was excellent advice and will do that again. Cooking would be easy here as there is a cooktop and electricity. There is a full refrigerator on the second floor. The next day we hiked Oregon Lakes and were the only ones there. Great stay except for the smoke and a bit warm. Hope to do it again.

This was a great stay for my brother and I. Unfortunately there was smoke from fires to the west that hindered the view. It was a very pleasant evening (a bit warm) and enjoyed the deck that went all around the tower. Cell phone coverage was great as the cell towers were right there. In fact when we got there there were workers doing something on the towers. They did not stay long. I read a previous review of taking a rope to take to haul supplies up from the ground to the third floor. That was excellent advice and will do that again. Cooking would be easy here as there is a cooktop and electricity. There is a full refrigerator on the second floor. The next day we hiked Oregon Lakes and were the only ones there. Great stay except for the smoke and a bit warm. Hope to do it again.

This was a great stay for my brother and I. Unfortunately there was smoke from fires to the west that hindered the view. It was a very pleasant evening (a bit warm) and enjoyed the deck that went all around the tower. Cell phone coverage was great as the cell towers were right there. In fact when we got there there were workers doing something on the towers. They did not stay long. I read a previous review of taking a rope to take to haul supplies up from the ground to the third floor. That was excellent advice and will do that again. Cooking would be easy here as there is a cooktop and electricity. There is a full refrigerator on the second floor. The next day we hiked Oregon Lakes and were the only ones there. Great stay except for the smoke and a bit warm. Hope to do it again.

You’ll definitely need 4 wheel drive to get up the access road. It’s pretty smooth for the first 3/4, but the last 1/4 has some major potholes in the road. There are a few turn outs in case you pass a vehicle, but otherwise you have about a foot or two of margin on either side of the road. The tower itself is gorgeous. There’s a fire pit and outhouse outside. You’re on the third floor, so you go into the scary looking metal door and then all the way up. The first time you get a glimpse of the view your jaw will drop. 360 panoramic glass windows, a bed that gets kissed during the sunset, and plenty of cleaning and cooking supplies. Oh, and all the windows open and have screens, the cross breeze is fantastic. I was honestly surprised how well stocked it was. It has a modern microwave, a 2 burner electric stove, pots, pans, you name it. There’s a small collection of olive oil, salt and pepper, and coffee supplies, too. There are floorboard heaters for the colder nights. The only con is the entire tower is painted yellow. Do you know what color bugs like the most? Yellow. The windows, at least in late September, were always plastered with bugs and a few made it in. I brought a mosquito net for my head that helped during sleep. Another review mentioned the tower crew, we never saw them in 4 days. The AC for the tower is on, but it sounds like a propeller plane far in the distance, it’s literally white noise and not obtrusive in the slightest. This place was magical, I highly recommend going.

You’ll definitely need 4 wheel drive to get up the access road. It’s pretty smooth for the first 3/4, but the last 1/4 has some major potholes in the road. There are a few turn outs in case you pass a vehicle, but otherwise you have about a foot or two of margin on either side of the road. The tower itself is gorgeous. There’s a fire pit and outhouse outside. You’re on the third floor, so you go into the scary looking metal door and then all the way up. The first time you get a glimpse of the view your jaw will drop. 360 panoramic glass windows, a bed that gets kissed during the sunset, and plenty of cleaning and cooking supplies. Oh, and all the windows open and have screens, the cross breeze is fantastic. I was honestly surprised how well stocked it was. It has a modern microwave, a 2 burner electric stove, pots, pans, you name it. There’s a small collection of olive oil, salt and pepper, and coffee supplies, too. There are floorboard heaters for the colder nights. The only con is the entire tower is painted yellow. Do you know what color bugs like the most? Yellow. The windows, at least in late September, were always plastered with bugs and a few made it in. I brought a mosquito net for my head that helped during sleep. Another review mentioned the tower crew, we never saw them in 4 days. The AC for the tower is on, but it sounds like a propeller plane far in the distance, it’s literally white noise and not obtrusive in the slightest. This place was magical, I highly recommend going.

You’ll definitely need 4 wheel drive to get up the access road. It’s pretty smooth for the first 3/4, but the last 1/4 has some major potholes in the road. There are a few turn outs in case you pass a vehicle, but otherwise you have about a foot or two of margin on either side of the road. The tower itself is gorgeous. There’s a fire pit and outhouse outside. You’re on the third floor, so you go into the scary looking metal door and then all the way up. The first time you get a glimpse of the view your jaw will drop. 360 panoramic glass windows, a bed that gets kissed during the sunset, and plenty of cleaning and cooking supplies. Oh, and all the windows open and have screens, the cross breeze is fantastic. I was honestly surprised how well stocked it was. It has a modern microwave, a 2 burner electric stove, pots, pans, you name it. There’s a small collection of olive oil, salt and pepper, and coffee supplies, too. There are floorboard heaters for the colder nights. The only con is the entire tower is painted yellow. Do you know what color bugs like the most? Yellow. The windows, at least in late September, were always plastered with bugs and a few made it in. I brought a mosquito net for my head that helped during sleep. Another review mentioned the tower crew, we never saw them in 4 days. The AC for the tower is on, but it sounds like a propeller plane far in the distance, it’s literally white noise and not obtrusive in the slightest. This place was magical, I highly recommend going.

This is a very nice Lookout. It was very clean. It is part of a working radio/cell tower, so staff may be around. It's not far from town and easy to get to. There is only one twin mattress and a cot, so bring sleeping pads.

This is a very nice Lookout. It was very clean. It is part of a working radio/cell tower, so staff may be around. It's not far from town and easy to get to. There is only one twin mattress and a cot, so bring sleeping pads.

This is a very nice Lookout. It was very clean. It is part of a working radio/cell tower, so staff may be around. It's not far from town and easy to get to. There is only one twin mattress and a cot, so bring sleeping pads.

The watchtower itself was modern by usual watchtower standards, with electricity and some creature comforts. We happened to be there when workers were there, so we had "company" until 6 pm and again at 8am. It made it somewhat awkward to be there. On a positive note, the catwalk made viewing the scenery quite pleasant, and it was close to town. There are about 5-6 miles of gravel one-lane roads to get there, so keep an eye out for areas where two vehicles can fit in case you meet someone. Good tires and a high clearance vehicle are nice to have.
If we came here again, we'd choose a weekend in hopes that communication workers wouldn't be there.