About Gold Butte Lookout
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
001, Loop: AREA GOLD BUTTE LOOKOUT
Site Details
Reviews (8)
What Guests Are Saying
Gold Butte Lookout is one of Oregon's best-maintained lookouts, offering stunning eastern views and a new twin mattress for comfort. The lookout is in great condition and provides a remote experience, although it requires constant maintenance. The hike is approximately 0.8 miles with a steady elevation gain, and the last three miles of road access can be rough.
What Guests Are Saying
Gold Butte Lookout is one of Oregon's best-maintained lookouts, offering stunning eastern views and a new twin mattress for comfort. The lookout is in great condition and provides a remote experience, although it requires constant maintenance. The hike is approximately 0.8 miles with a steady elevation gain, and the last three miles of road access can be rough.
Review Summary
Bryony M
VerifiedOctober 1, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GOLD BUTTE LOOKOUT
One of the best maintained lookouts in Oregon, but like all it needs constant work. The views to east are very nice along with the new twin mattress. Not that there is not a lock on the lookout door and the hike is closer to 0.8 miles from the second gate with decent amount of elevation gain
starting at a fair amount of elevation. Pack for backpacking!
Bryony M
VerifiedOctober 1, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GOLD BUTTE LOOKOUT
One of the best maintained lookouts in Oregon, but like all it needs constant work. The views to east are very nice along with the new twin mattress. Not that there is not a lock on the lookout door and the hike is closer to 0.8 miles from the second gate with decent amount of elevation gain
starting at a fair amount of elevation. Pack for backpacking!
Ken R
VerifiedSeptember 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GOLD BUTTE LOOKOUT
The lookout is in great shape. Bare bones but hard to beat how remote it is. The last three miles of road are very rough and rocky. 5 mph max in some sections. From the parking spot the hike in is close to a mile not the .5 miles listed. Not hard but a steady climb.
Ken R
VerifiedSeptember 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GOLD BUTTE LOOKOUT
The lookout is in great shape. Bare bones but hard to beat how remote it is. The last three miles of road are very rough and rocky. 5 mph max in some sections. From the parking spot the hike in is close to a mile not the .5 miles listed. Not hard but a steady climb.
Romeo C
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GOLD BUTTE LOOKOUT
Beautiful scenery and gorgeous views
Romeo C
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GOLD BUTTE LOOKOUT
Beautiful scenery and gorgeous views
Hannah H
VerifiedDecember 19, 2019 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GOLD BUTTE LOOKOUT
It felt like a lot more than a little over a mile BUT once you got to the top it was well worth it! So many kind people left supplies for us and it was a lovely experience! Did get some bites from sleeping on the cot mattress without laying down a protective layer first, but that's camping! There was also cell service at the top which was a surprise.
Lovely, clean, peaceful space! Can't wait to go back!
Hannah H
VerifiedDecember 19, 2019 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA GOLD BUTTE LOOKOUT
It felt like a lot more than a little over a mile BUT once you got to the top it was well worth it! So many kind people left supplies for us and it was a lovely experience! Did get some bites from sleeping on the cot mattress without laying down a protective layer first, but that's camping! There was also cell service at the top which was a surprise.
Lovely, clean, peaceful space! Can't wait to go back!
Location Gold Butte Lookout
Address:
Hc73 Box 320
Mill City, OR, 97360
United States
From Detroit Ranger Station, drive east on State Highway 22 toward the town of Detroit. Directly after crossing the bridge, take a left onto Forest Service Road (FSR) 46 (Breitenbush). Drive FSR 46 for about 4 miles to FSR 4696. Turn left (northeast) onto FSR 4696 and drive about three-quarters of a mile to FSR 4697. Turn left (north) onto FSR 4697 and drive about 5 miles to the saddle. Turn right onto FSR 451 and proceed to the first right (FSR 453). Proceed through the gate approximately half a mile to the parking area at the second green gate.
The last 2 miles of road access are rough gravel and dirt at a 10 percent uphill grade. Low clearance vehicles are not recommended.
The lookout is located approximately half a mile from the parking area. You will be hiking on a road to a saddle and from there a steep trail to the summit.
Latitude & Longitude: 44.8053 / -122.084
Elevation: 1284 feet
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 4, 2026
