Black Mountain Lookout
Plumas National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: Blairsden, CA, CA
Price: From $60 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (11 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Black Mountain Lookout remained closed for the 2020 season and is expected to remain closed into 2021. Closure is due to COVID related demands in maintaining a safe environment for our customers and our staff. Black Mountain Lookout is located on the eastern edge of the Beckwourth Ranger District, 10 miles from Highway 395, near Milford, California.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Electric Hookups
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/black-mountain-lookout to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1934 CCC-built lookout tower offering interpretive programs and hiking opportunities in the Beckwourth Ranger District. Great location for wildlife viewing and experiencing unique fire lookout architecture.
Wildlife alert: Mountain lions and black bears present in area; also bobcats, beavers, and various bird species including sooty grouse and northern harriers.
Insider tips for Black Mountain Lookout: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site High-clearance vehicle recommended for dirt road access Plan visits during stable weather; road access subject to closure during early/late season inclement weather
Skip Black Mountain Lookout if: You need electrical hookups - none available. You're visiting outside Memorial Day through Labor Day - campground is seasonal. You have a low-clearance vehicle - dirt road requires high clearance.
Best time to visit Black Mountain Lookout: Memorial Day - Labor Day — Official operating season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Ayers Creek Retreat (Portola, CA), Long Point (Ca) (Janesville, CA), Big Cove Campground (Chilcoot, CA), Boulder Creek (Ca) (Janesville, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Black Mountain Lookout
Cell signal at Black Mountain Lookout (Blairsden, CA): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Black Mountain Lookout remained closed for the 2020 season and is expected to remain closed into 2021. Closure is due to COVID related demands in maintaining a safe environment for our customers and our staff. Black Mountain Lookout is located on the eastern edge of the Beckwourth Ranger District, 10 miles from Highway 395, near Milford, California.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site
High-clearance vehicle recommended for dirt road access
Plan visits during stable weather; road access subject to closure during early/late season inclement weather
Official operating season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Access to the lookout is by a dirt road; high clearance vehicles are recommended. Visitors should be aware that access is subject to inclement weather during the early and late season. Black Mountain Lookout is located on the eastern edge of the Beckwourth Ranger District, 10 miles from Highway 395, near Milford, California. From Highway 395 at Milford take County Road 336 to Milford Grade. Turn right onto Milford Grade (also named County Road 336 and Forest Rd. 26N70. Turn left on Forest Road 2
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Plumas National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Plumas National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Black Mountain Lookout cost per night?+
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●Data sources on this page
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