Bald Butte Lookout (Fremont-winema National Forest, OR)

We drove four and a half hours to find the cabin was infested with horseflies and unacceptable to sleep in. Even after killing all that were buzzing about, more proceeded to find their way in around the ceiling, and many were dead on the floor when we arrived. Ended up having to drive an extra hour and a half to a motel with vacancy.

The views were awesome but the cabin had a massive Fly infestation with no less than 300 dead flies on the floor and probably a few hundred flying around. Granted we are not hard core campers but even after trying to clean it up, we could not get rid of all the flies and we ended up sleeping in our car / tent outside the structure and only stayed 2 nights. Other than than, really cool and the night time views were off the charts.

The views were awesome but the cabin had a massive Fly infestation with no less than 300 dead flies on the floor and probably a few hundred flying around. Granted we are not hard core campers but even after trying to clean it up, we could not get rid of all the flies and we ended up sleeping in our car / tent outside the structure and only stayed 2 nights. Other than than, really cool and the night time views were off the charts.

We are experienced outdoor types with extensive travel experience on Forest lands. The trip started out on a wrong foot when we encountered road closures put in place many months in advance and NO notification without much digging on the poor Fremont Winema web site. Luckily we were equipped with maps and an hour and a half later traveling many back roads we arrived at dusk. Based on photographs of the lookout accommodations we brought bedding for a bed. Upon arrival we discovered 2 wire cots in TERRIBLE condition NOT a bed as shown on the ancient non updated web site. We slid the cots together and made the best of it but it was one of the most miserable night in memory. The heating system was abysmal. No control...on or off. The cabin had all the trim between the walls and where the roof came down removed so every bit of heat dissipated with none for the cabin...oh the night temps were 15 degrees. We stayed one night and left...TERRIBLE. Fix the place BEFORE renting! Worst Lookout experience ever...

This was an absolutely amazing experience. The road up to the cabin was definitely a bit sketchy, but once you are there you feel like you are the only people in the world. It is truly a magical place and a hidden gem. We were the last folks to stay for the season and so it was a quite chilly at night and during the middle of the night "outhouse visits", but worth every second of it. My husband and I both teared up as we left, we felt this place melded somehow with our souls. We hope to return there for sure.

We are experienced outdoor types with extensive travel experience on Forest lands. The trip started out on a wrong foot when we encountered road closures put in place many months in advance and NO notification without much digging on the poor Fremont Winema web site. Luckily we were equipped with maps and an hour and a half later traveling many back roads we arrived at dusk. Based on photographs of the lookout accommodations we brought bedding for a bed. Upon arrival we discovered 2 wire cots in TERRIBLE condition NOT a bed as shown on the ancient non updated web site. We slid the cots together and made the best of it but it was one of the most miserable night in memory. The heating system was abysmal. No control...on or off. The cabin had all the trim between the walls and where the roof came down removed so every bit of heat dissipated with none for the cabin...oh the night temps were 15 degrees. We stayed one night and left...TERRIBLE. Fix the place BEFORE renting! Worst Lookout experience ever...

This was an absolutely amazing experience. The road up to the cabin was definitely a bit sketchy, but once you are there you feel like you are the only people in the world. It is truly a magical place and a hidden gem. We were the last folks to stay for the season and so it was a quite chilly at night and during the middle of the night "outhouse visits", but worth every second of it. My husband and I both teared up as we left, we felt this place melded somehow with our souls. We hope to return there for sure.

The view was really nice. Staying up to watch the moon rise was worth it.

The view was really nice. Staying up to watch the moon rise was worth it.