OutReserve

Fivemile Butte Lookout

Interior of Fivemile Lookout
Exterior stair access to Fivemile Lookout.
Winter access for Fivemile Lookout.
Exterior view of Fivemile Lookout tower.
Fivemile Lookout wood stove.

About Fivemile Butte Lookout

Fivemile Butte Lookout is available for reservation year-round. It provides stellar mountain views and access to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. During the winter months, the lookout is popular among hunters and winter sports enthusiasts. During winter driving conditions, from early fall to late spring, the lookout can only be accessed by skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing up to 3 miles one way from a parking area at the Billy Bob Sno-Park. In the summer guests can drive directly to the lookout. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for the parking area at Billy Bob Sno-park, annual or day passes can be purchased in person at the Hood River Ranger Station or online at https://www.discovernw.org/annual-northwest-forest-pass.  Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Number of accommodations: 1

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Hiking

Hunting

Mountain Biking

Skiing

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Propane
Missing information?

001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

Price not available
🏠 Cabin Unavailable

Site Details

Up to 4 guests
Shade
View Site Details

Reviews (88)

What Guests Are Saying

Fivemile Butte Lookout offers stunning panoramic views and a cozy, well-stocked facility with essential cooking supplies and a wood stove. Access via snowshoeing is straightforward in winter, though guests should be prepared for snow and bring their own sheets and toilet paper. Overall, visitors have enjoyed memorable experiences, with clean accommodations and beautiful scenery, despite minor issues like missing silverware and occasional flies.

Review Summary

4.8
88 reviews
5
90.9%
80
4
4.5%
4
3
2.3%
2
2
0.0%
0
1
2.3%
2

Sasha M

Verified

March 16, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

Awesome place!

Sasha M

Verified

March 16, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

Awesome place!

Regis K

Verified

February 1, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

Floor grate needs a handle on top, but that is being addressed.

Regis K

Verified

February 1, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

Floor grate needs a handle on top, but that is being addressed.

Jen L

Verified

December 29, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

On Dec 14th, we snowshoed in from Billy Bob, it was exactly 3 miles from the sno-park to the lookout. The lookout was very clean and the wood was well stocked. The wood stove is really too big for the small building and we were cooked out a lot of the time. There was a couple of bowls, plates, mugs, forks and lots of pots. FYI, the wood shed was not very full and the wood marked "seasoned" will not last the rest of winter. A mouse did come visit us, and peeked in the window so beware of leaving food out/windows open. The views were amazing!

Jen L

Verified

December 29, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

On Dec 14th, we snowshoed in from Billy Bob, it was exactly 3 miles from the sno-park to the lookout. The lookout was very clean and the wood was well stocked. The wood stove is really too big for the small building and we were cooked out a lot of the time. There was a couple of bowls, plates, mugs, forks and lots of pots. FYI, the wood shed was not very full and the wood marked "seasoned" will not last the rest of winter. A mouse did come visit us, and peeked in the window so beware of leaving food out/windows open. The views were amazing!

Corinne C

Verified

November 20, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

Our reservation dates were November 15-16, 2022. We got lucky with the snow and was able to drive in. It was an easy drive from the 8 mile mountain bike trailhead off of Forest Rd. 44. The gate was locked when we got there and the code for the tower worked on the gate too. The tower was really warm from the sun when we got there even though it was in the 30's outside. The gas to the propane stove had been turned off but we found the on/off valve and lit the pilot lights no problem! There are 3 pilot lights, two on the stovetop and one in the oven. There is a little vanity with a sink which is nice for doing dishes, the drain goes down a long pipe into a french drain (I'm guessing). We carried all of our gear up the stairs vs using the pulley basket. There's no angle/brake set up on the basket for leverage so it's not that easy to use. The solar light was working but the ambiance isn't very nice from it so we were glad we brought our own lantern and party lights. The bed was pretty comfy with the flannel sheets and down comforter we brought. The wood stove is big for the space and heats really well, we had to sleep with three of the windows open so we didn't overheat! There's a nice tea kettle, a few cooking pots (including a huge one for melting snow), cutting boards but no utensils. The hiking nearby is gorgeous! The 8 mile trail goes right by the cabin. So glad we didn't bring our dog though...those stairs! Especially the last flight, is super steep, he would not of been happy to go down them! We had such a lovely time, hope to go back again!

Corinne C

Verified

November 20, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

Our reservation dates were November 15-16, 2022. We got lucky with the snow and was able to drive in. It was an easy drive from the 8 mile mountain bike trailhead off of Forest Rd. 44. The gate was locked when we got there and the code for the tower worked on the gate too. The tower was really warm from the sun when we got there even though it was in the 30's outside. The gas to the propane stove had been turned off but we found the on/off valve and lit the pilot lights no problem! There are 3 pilot lights, two on the stovetop and one in the oven. There is a little vanity with a sink which is nice for doing dishes, the drain goes down a long pipe into a french drain (I'm guessing). We carried all of our gear up the stairs vs using the pulley basket. There's no angle/brake set up on the basket for leverage so it's not that easy to use. The solar light was working but the ambiance isn't very nice from it so we were glad we brought our own lantern and party lights. The bed was pretty comfy with the flannel sheets and down comforter we brought. The wood stove is big for the space and heats really well, we had to sleep with three of the windows open so we didn't overheat! There's a nice tea kettle, a few cooking pots (including a huge one for melting snow), cutting boards but no utensils. The hiking nearby is gorgeous! The 8 mile trail goes right by the cabin. So glad we didn't bring our dog though...those stairs! Especially the last flight, is super steep, he would not of been happy to go down them! We had such a lovely time, hope to go back again!

brad p

Verified

July 2, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

Awesome!

Tom W

Verified

July 2, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA FIVEMILE BUTTE LOOKOUT

5

Great place and great views. Love being able to mountain bike straight from camp.

Location Fivemile Butte Lookout

Address:
6780 Highway 35
Mt. Hood, OR, 97041
United States

Highway access

The nearest major road is Highway 35, which is approximately 18 miles from the junction of Forest Service Roads 44 and 4430.

Latitude & Longitude: 45.4101 / -121.469

Elevation: 1414 feet

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service