Bald Butte Lookout

It's been 2012 since I went there to stay, but today I now feel the need to share my experience.
First of all, once I made it up the road VERY SLOWLY in my 4-wheel drive, the views were amazing! I opened the door to the lookout and the cabin had a massive horsefly and bee infestation with no less than several hundred dead flies on the floor and probably a dozens more flying around. The windows were even open! I had a broom in my truck and after trying to clean it up, I could not get rid of all the flies. More just kept coming in. I decided not to stay. I had just made reservations that day at the USFS in Paisley, so I drove back to the station to ask for a refund but they wouldn't provide one. They were aware of the flies and bees but said it was just part of the situation and told me they had no funding for resources to keep it clean and maintained. I felt duped by false advertising and was rather P.O.'d. Too bad the building has been neglected for so long.
Even if they would do some cursory repairs and added the issue about the flies and bees in the description, it would better represented. Also tell folks to bring their own heater and prepare for cold nights, even in summer. I had left around 3:00 PM and it was already chilly at the top.
Next time, if there is a next time, I am taking a borrowed camper on my truck because the views were spectacular.

Visited in 2019, and loved this place for how secluded it is. We wandered the dirt road during the days and happened on some cool old history! The lookout does have flies, as others have mentioned, and can be warm. For sure bring something soft for the cots. But overall, having stayed in several forest service facilities, this one is a great memory.

Beautiful views. Cabin had propane lights, heater, and a stove. Two fold out cots were also provided. There was a rock fire ring for a campfire and the path to the vault toilet was paved. Bring your own toilet paper and water and everything. Road to get there requires a vehicle with some clearance. The place is quiet and secluded. Can get a little windy. Rustic getaway but perfect for what we wanted.

As others have said, there is a horse fly / hornet issue. We read the reviews ahead of time, so we brought our insect spray and bug zapper. After a rambunctious and exhilarating battle with the flying insects, I'm happy to report that we felt like the vctors.

One of the two cots provided has duct tape holding it together. We decided to sleep in our RTT instead.

The views are amazing! Sunset, stars, sunrise. It's worth the rental fee.

We went there 2013 when it still had a bed and everything was functioning.We didn’t have any problems with any insects.The throne in the out house had the greatest view I’ve seen doing my business! The wind was blowing at least a constant 30 mph and flying a kite and putting a sheet on the flag pole was awesome.Views are amazing especially the stars at night,we had clouds but not enough for us not to get a peak of the sky!The road up we did in a Nissan Altima 😂I think I tore both of its CV joints!The rain started coming so we left early because we were worried we wouldn’t make it out.Definitely need 4X4 with high clearance.Besides the rain we must have been very lucky with everything with what I’m reading in some of these reviews.Ignore this review as it is 12 years ago 😄 Never going back now!Cots are you freaking kidding me cots?Cots?!