Bolan Mountain Lookout
Campground · Oregon · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Siskiyou National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 4
- People per site
- 6,273 ft
- Elevation
Overview
In 2024, the Siskiyou Mountain Club partnered with the US Forest Service to rebuild the Bolan Mountain Lookout after it burned down in the Slater fire in 2020. For more information on this project, check out this short film created by Vincent DiFrancesco with the Siskiyou Mountain Club. https://youtu.be/wJYSNzqWCVo
Bolan Mountain Lookout is surrounded by glass windows on all sides, providing visitors with an unparalleled view of the sheer drop-offs sharp cliffs, and breath-taking views of the rugged Siskiyou Mountains. The historic lookout is available for rent during the snow-free season with a maximum length of stay being 3 consecutive nights, and guests must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
Hikers may enjoy spending a day hiking the Bolan Lake Trail down to Bolan Lake. Hemmed in by conifer forest, the lake is stocked with trout, and is an ideal setting to enjoy fishing, non-motorized boating such as kayaking or picnicking at its banks.The lookout is also a prime spot for nature and scenic photography due to the stunning vistas provided. For visitors interested in astronomy, Stargazing is a popular activity on clear nights.
Facilities
The 14 x 14 foot one room cabin is designed to house a maximum of four people, and offers a primitive camping experience. The 30 to 40 steps up to the lookout are steep and uneven, so visitors should use caution when climbing to the main cabin. The room is equipped with a table, two chairs, a single bed with pad that folds out into two twins, cleaning supplies and a fire extinguisher. A vault toilet is located near the lookout. No water is available on site, so guests must pack in water for drinking, cooking and washing. Guests must also provide their own camp stove, light source, sleeping bag, towels, dish soap, matches, cooking gear, toilet paper and garbage bags.
Natural Features
From the lookout, guests are treated to expansive views of the Red Buttes and Siskiyou Wilderness areas, Preston Peak and Bolan Lake. To the north are far views of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness and the Illinois River Valley. On a clear day, even Mount Shasta is visible to the southeast.Bolan Lake is a 12 acre, high mountain lake with a shoreline of Douglas fir, pine and hemlock. A dip in the cool waters provides much needed relief from a hot summer day. Clear nights provide guests with a dazzling display of stars and planets.
Nearby Attractions
Oregon Caves National MonumentDiscover the "Marble Halls of Oregon" nestled deep inside the Siskiyou Mountains. The caves formed as rainwater from the ancient forest above dissolved the surrounding marble and created one of the world's few marble caves. The highly complex geology found at the Monument contributes to the unusual and rare plants and animals found nowhere else but here. Experience the extensively decorated and adventurous "Marble Halls of Oregon."
Kalmiopsis Wilderness
Kalmiopsis Wilderness is a wilderness area in the Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon, within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. It was designated wilderness by the United States Congress in 1964 and now comprises a total of 179,755 acres. There are approximately 153 miles of trails on 24 established hiking trails in the area. The Kalmiopsis Wilderness was named for Kalmiopsis leachiana, a slow-growing plant related to the rhododendron, which was discovered in the area in 1930.
Red Buttes Wilderness
The Unites States Congress designated the Red Buttes Wilderness in 1984 - it now includes a total of 19,940 acres. Management of the Red Buttes Wilderness, located on the California/Oregon border, is shared by the Klamath National Forest and the Rogue River - Siskiyou National Forest. The majority of the Wilderness lies within the boundaries of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest."
The facts
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 4 people per site
- Loops: AREA BOLAN MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Water hookups — not available
- Sewer hookups — not available
- Campfires allowed — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, shade, pets allowed.
1 campsite at Bolan Mountain Lookout
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C01 | AREA BOLAN MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT | Cabin Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 4 |
Getting there
From Cave Junction, OR, travel south on Highway 199 6.4 miles to the Happy Camp Road (Forest Service Road 48). Turn left and travel 17.3 miles on Happy Camp Road (FSR 48) to the junction with Forest Road 4812. Turn left and travel 4.1 miles to the junction of Forest Road 4812-040, the road to Bolan Lake Campground. Turn left again, and travel 1.1 miles to Forest Road 535. Turn right and travel 1.6 miles to the lookout. Forest Road 535 is gated. The lookout can be accessed by passenger car, but a high clearance vehicle is recommended. Early summer access can be hampered by late season snow pack. Parking is just below the lookout. The 30 to 40 steps up to the lookout are steep and uneven. The lookout can be accessed by passenger car, but a high clearance vehicle and 4WD or AWD is recommended. Early summer access can be hampered by late season snow pack. Parking is available just below the lookout.
42.01616, -123.45939 · 42°0'58.2"N 123°27'33.8"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 10.3 | 8.4 | 8.7 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 4.8 | 8.7 | 12.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Bolan Mountain Lookout
- Can you reserve a site at Bolan Mountain Lookout?
- Yes, Bolan Mountain Lookout is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Bolan Mountain Lookout have?
- 1 site.
- Does Bolan Mountain Lookout have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Bolan Mountain Lookout?
- Campfires are not allowed at Bolan Mountain Lookout.
Camping near Bolan Mountain Lookout
- Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve Tours 6.1 mi · Tickets · we watch it
- Chinquapin Group Campground 8.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Carberry Group Campground 15.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Curly Jack Campground 16.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bolan Lake Campground 0.5 mi · Campground
- West Branch Campground 5.9 mi · Campground
- Grayback Campground 9.1 mi · Campground
- Black Butte Trailhead 9.6 mi · Facility
- Illinois Valley Visitor Center 13.8 mi · Facility
- Fort Goff Campground 14.7 mi · Campground
- Watkins Campground 15.4 mi · Campground
- Seattle Bar Day Use 15.8 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 541-592-4000
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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