About Gold Butte Lookout
The Gold Butte Lookout sits on the summit of Gold Butte at an elevation of 4,618 feet in the Willamette National Forest. It was built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. During World War II, the lookout served as part of Aircraft Warning System station in defense of the nation against air attack. It was staffed around the clock, usually by a husband and wife team, who reported all passing aircraft within sight or sound to a central filter center. The lookout stands on 3-foot stilts and is surrounded by glass windows and an exterior catwalk, offering a panoramic view of the Cascades. It is furnished with refurbished or replica furniture. The lookout is typically open from early July through mid-October. It is accessible by car, but guests should be prepared to walk the last half mile on difficult and steep terrain to reach the lookout. A high clearance vehicle is recommended for…
- Managed by: Willamette National Forest, FS
- Where: 6 mi northeast of Detroit, OR · 44.80528, -122.0837
Things to do:
Official page for this camp (fees, closures, booking)
Weather by month
Typical daily highs and lows (°F), 1991–2020 NOAA normals. Best months: Jul–Sep (comfortable days, mild nights, little rain). Nights below freezing: Nov–Apr.
Fly over it in 3D, check today's weather and fire news, plan the drive and print a trip plan.
Trails near camp
| Trail | Open to | From camp | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Butte Lookout | Hiking | at camp | 1.3 mi |
| Elk Lake Road | ATV road | 0.6 mi | 6.6 mi |
| Gold Butte | ATV road | 0.9 mi | 1.1 mi |
| Humbug Flats | Hiking | 2.4 mi | 1.1 mi |
Straight-line distance from camp, from Forest Service, BLM, state and OpenStreetMap trail data.
Good to know
Verizon 4G
From the carriers' FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous.The Milky Way shows rich detail, horizon to horizon.
Class 2 of 9, from NASA/NOAA night-light data.Stargazing nearby: Sisters (Dark Sky Community), 44 mi.
Camps nearby
- Humbug Campground 2.3 mi
- Fox Creek Group Campground 2.3 mi
- Elk Lake Campground 2.5 mi
- Cleator Bend Group Campground 4.6 mi
- Breitenbush Campground 4.9 mi
- Dispersed spot · 7 mi NE of Idanha 5.4 mi