Lava Butte Fire Lookout

 

Administrative agency:  Deschutes NF

Staffing status:  paid position

Elevation:  5016 ft

Structure:  1998 two story wooden gable roofed L-4, with visitors center on bottom

Access:  this is Oregon’s most visited LO, the cab is usually closed to visitors, the visitor center under the LO is opened, it lies approx. 1 mile off the highway, several gates are present, a NW Forest Pass is required to access it, once one is purchased/presented, you can drive up to the top, if it is busy, you may need to wait inline

Road conditions:  the road is paved all the way to the top

Interior:  ???

Other structures on summit:  none, propane tanks are probably portable

Electrical power source:  solar power, likely used for the radio only

Other:  with approx. 600 visitors a day, this does not represent most LOs, if you are looking for an easy tower to find and access, this one is for you, if you are looking for an opportunity to visit with the staffer and enjoy the peace and quiet, you will want to find another LO

Visited:  Dominic Luebbers in August 2000