Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout
Shasta-Trinity National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: MCCLOUD, CA, CA
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (17 reviews)
Season: May through October
Hoffman Lookout was constructed in the 1920s and was used by the Forest Service on a regular basis until 1978. It is one of the few remaining historic lookouts in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The lookout is still used by the Forest Service in times of extreme fire danger.
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, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/little-mt-hoffman-lookout to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1920s Forest Service lookout with stunning views of Mt. Shasta and lava flows. Campers consistently praise the beautiful sunsets and unique experience of staying in a preserved landmark.
Wildlife alert: Spotted Owl, Osprey, Mule Deer, and various lizard species including Pygmy Short-horned Lizard present in the area.
Insider tips for Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 1 site and high demand. Last 4 miles to the lookout are unpaved; not recommended for RVs or trailers. Park at the gate and walk approximately one quarter mile to reach the lookout.
Skip Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout if: You have an RV or trailer — unpaved road access is difficult for large vehicles.. You need hookups — no hookups available at this site.. You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal operations only..
Best time to visit Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout: May-October — Official operating season for the campground..
Nearby campgrounds: Medicine Lake Recreation Area (Tulelake, CA), Cattle Camp Campground (Ca) (CA), Juanita Lake Group Campsite (Macdoel, CA), Camp 4 Group Campground (McCloud, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout
Cell signal at Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout (MCCLOUD, 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.
Hoffman Lookout was constructed in the 1920s and was used by the Forest Service on a regular basis until 1978. It is one of the few remaining historic lookouts in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The lookout is still used by the Forest Service in times of extreme fire danger.
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
this is a federal campground with only 1 site and high demand.
Last 4 miles to the lookout are unpaved; not recommended for RVs or trailers.
Park at the gate and walk approximately one quarter mile to reach the lookout.
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 →
From McCloud, California, travel east on Highway 89 for 16 miles to Road 15 (the Harris Springs Rd). Turn left and travel on a paved road for about 4.5 miles on Road 15 to the 49 road (Powder Hill Road). Travel for approximately 28 miles northeast to the Medicine Lake area. From there, follow the road along the north side of Medicine Lake for approximately 4 miles to Little Mt. Hoffman. These last 4 miles are not paved and motor homes and vehicles pulling trailers are not recommended.
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 — Shasta-Trinity National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Shasta-Trinity National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
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