Can you reserve a site at Sardine Peak Lookout?

Yes, Sardine Peak Lookout is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Sardine Peak Lookout?

15 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Sardine Peak Lookout?

Yes, pets are allowed at Sardine Peak Lookout.

Are campfires allowed at Sardine Peak Lookout?

Campfires are allowed at Sardine Peak Lookout. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Sardine Peak Lookout, California — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Sardine Peak is a forest fire lookout tower that was constructed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is a three story enclosed tower with external stairs. Presently the top room or observation cab is the only rentable space. Sardine sits at an elevation of 8,138 feet in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of Tahoe National Forest, approximately 20 miles from Truckee, California. The lookout does not have electricity, water or garbage service. It does have a propane tank to operate propane-powered appliances.

Recreation

Hiking, mountain biking and off road vehicle use are popular around this lookout. Stampede and Boca Reservoirs are nearby for fishing, boating and swimming.

Facilities

The interior of the cab is 14 feet long and 14 feet wide and contains two twin beds, a dry sink, a table and four chairs, two propane lights, a propane cast iron heat stove and a propane stove/oven for cooking. A limited assortment of cooking utensils, pots and pans are provided. There is an accessible vault toilet, a picnic table and fire ring are located outside below the lookout. Firewood is not provided. Visitors need to bring their own bedding, toilet paper and other personal items.

Natural Features

The lookout tower sits on a mountain top with spectacular views of Stampede Reservoir, Boca Reservoir, Sardine Valley, Independence Lake, the top of the Sierra Buttes and western Nevada.

Nearby Attractions

Kyburz Flat Interpretive Area, The Boca Townsite Interpretive Area, and a mountain bike loop within Sardine Valley are all nearby.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 430-8912.

The facts

1 bookable site
Vehicles up to 15 ft
Up to 4 people per site
Loops: SARDINE PEAK LOOKOUT

Site types

1 Lookout

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Sardine Peak Lookout

Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
01	SARDINE PEAK LOOKOUT	Lookout	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	15 ft	4	🐾

Getting there

From the Sierraville Ranger District Office, proceed south on Highway 89 for 12 miles to Sierra County Road S450. Turn left onto road S450 and proceed east for 4 miles to Sierra County Road S650, the Lemon Canyon Road. Turn left onto County Road S650 and proceed north for 2 miles to Forest Service Road 650-75, the Sardine Peak Lookout Road and proceed 4 miles to the locked gate. Sardine Peak Lookout is about 250 yards beyond the locked gate.

39.54021, -120.18786 · 39°32'24.8"N 120°11'16.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	5.0	5.2	4.4	2.1	1.6	0.5	0.3	0.4	0.6	1.8	3.0	5.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Sardine Peak Lookout

Can you reserve a site at Sardine Peak Lookout?: Yes, Sardine Peak Lookout is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Sardine Peak Lookout have?: 1 site.
What is the maximum RV length at Sardine Peak Lookout?: 15 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Sardine Peak Lookout?: Yes, pets are allowed at Sardine Peak Lookout.
Are campfires allowed at Sardine Peak Lookout?: Campfires are allowed at Sardine Peak Lookout. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Sardine Peak Lookout

Upper Little Truckee 4.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lower Little Truckee 4.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Emigrant Group 6.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Logger Campground 6.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cold Creek 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cottonwood Creek 6.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lookout Campground 7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bear Valley Campground 2.8 mi · Campground
Kyburz Flat Interpretive Site 3.7 mi · Facility
Kyburz Marsh Watchable Wildlife Site 3.7 mi · Facility
Little Truckee Summit OHV/Snowmobile Staging Area 5.6 mi · Facility
Stampede Reservoir - Water Recreation 6.3 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Sardine Peak Lookout