Timber Butte Cabin

Campground · Oregon · 1 bookable site ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Willamette National Forest (NF) · Open Access

1
Bookable site
24 ft
Max rig length
up to 4
People per site
3,581 ft
Elevation
Trail leading to lookout with wraparound deck framed by fir trees, a glimpse of blue sky.
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview

Timber Butte Lookout is located in the Fall Creek area of the Willamette National Forest at an elevation of 3,650 feet 19 miles from Lowell, Oregon. The cabin is open from mid-April through late October, offering the chance to enjoy beautiful scenery and a variety of recreational activities. The lookout was constructed in 2005 as a replica of the L-4 gabled-style lookout with wooden catwalk commonly built in this region in the 1930s. It was built through volunteer efforts with a $10,000 grant from Lane County and other contributions by individuals and organizations. The cabin can be accessed by car, but guests should expect to walk about 300 feet uphill from their parking spot. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

Recreation

The lookout is located near the Fall Creek Trail Area. Several hiking trails can be accessed from this area, including the Fall Creek National Recreation Trail, which also offers opportunities for fishing and picnicking. Swimming holes can also be found along this trail.

Hunting is another popular activity in this area.

Facilities

The 14x14-ft. cabin is encircled by a catwalk. It sits slightly off the ground and is accessed by a ramp. The cabin accommodates 4 people and contains a double bed with sleeping pad, a propane heating stove, fire extinguisher, broom and dustpan. A 3-burner propane cook top is located on the deck. Propane is provided. Dishes and cookware are available. A picnic table and fire ring are located in a nearby group of trees, and a vault toilet is located about 300 feet away. No drinking water or electricity is provided. Guests must bring their own supply of drinking water. Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, towels and an ice chest are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.

Natural Features

The lookout offers panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains and the surrounding evergreen forest. On clear days, guests may see Mount Jefferson and the peaks of the Three Sisters. Willamette National Forest offers prime habitat for such species as Roosevelt elk, black bear, bald eagles, black tail deer and bobcats, among other wildlife.

Nearby Attractions

Guests can explore up to 20 historic covered bridges in nearby Lane County by car. Within 10 miles there is creek access, fishing, swimming, and hiking.

The facts

  • Season: May – October — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 1 bookable site
  • Vehicles up to 24 ft
  • Up to 4 people per site
  • Loops: TIMBER BUTTE CABIN

Site types

  • 1 Cabin Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Timber Butte Cabin

Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
Timber Butte CabinTIMBER BUTTE CABINCabin Nonelectric—Gravel24 ft4

Getting there

Do not use the Google map suggested routes as they will take you through areas with many rock/logging trucks on one lane roads. Total mileage from Lowell to Timber Butte Cabin is 19 miles and will be around a 45 minute drive time. From Interstate 5 (I-5), take Highway 58 East (Exit 188) and travel for 13 miles toward Oakridge. Turn left off of Highway 58 at the Lowell covered bridge and proceed toward the town of Lowell. At the 4-way junction in Lowell, turn left onto Boundary Road. Take the next right (Moss Street) for 2 miles to the crossroads of Unity, where you'll see another covered bridge. Turn right (east) onto Big Fall Creek Road (18) and proceed 1/2 mile and turn right onto FSR 1802 (Winberry Creek Road), continue up approx. 12 miles. Turn left onto FSR 1821 and proceed approx. 1.5 miles. At the T junction turn left and continue 0.5 miles. Then turn left onto FSR 1821-168 for 1 mile, beware of logging trucks for this one mile stretch. Turn right onto FSR 1816-175 and after 100 yards turn left onto FSR 1816-131 (gated entrance road to the cabin).  Look for the signs that say TB with arrows that point the way after you reach the 1821.

The last mile of the road is brushy and road conditions make a high clearance vehicle necessary.

Cabin parking is located about 1 mile up FSR 1816-131, adjacent to the outhouse.

43.92560, -122.57077 · 43°55'32.2"N 122°34'14.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 80°F in Aug, down to 46°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F475054596571808074635246
Low °F373840434751555552474237
Precip in6.14.65.14.83.52.00.50.61.63.66.47.0

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Short ramp leading onto wrap around porch of white cabin, fir trees surround the cabin.
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov
Trail leading to white cabin with wrap around porch, surrounded by fir trees
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Timber Butte Cabin

Can you reserve a site at Timber Butte Cabin?
Yes, Timber Butte Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Timber Butte Cabin have?
1 site.
What is the maximum RV length at Timber Butte Cabin?
24 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Timber Butte Cabin?
No, pets are not allowed at Timber Butte Cabin.

Also listed by

Timber Butte Cabin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Timber Butte Cabin's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $80.00 per night

Restrictions:

  • No smoking or pets
  • The cabin houses two comfortably. Four is the maximum occupancy.
  • Campfires may not be permitted during periods of high fire danger.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Timber Butte Cabin

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-24.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.