Pickett Butte Lookout
Umpqua National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: TILLER, OR, OR
Price: From $40 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (29 reviews)
Season: May through October
Perched atop Pickett Butte at an elevation of 3,200 feet, this lookout offers visitors a unique lodging experience in Umpqua National Forest in southwest Oregon. After climbing 40 feet up on a very narrow steep stairway to the one-room structure, guests are rewarded with panoramic views of the entire Jackson Creek Drainage and much of the lower elevation lands around the town of Tiller. The original lookout was 25 feet tall and built in 1934.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/pickett-butte-lookout to be notified when sites open up.
Unique one-room lookout tower perched at 3,200 feet offering panoramic views of Jackson Creek Drainage and surrounding lower elevation lands. Campers praise it as very peaceful and quiet with a great heater.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Osprey, Wild Turkey, American Beaver, and Northwestern Garter Snake documented in the area within 8km
Insider tips for Pickett Butte Lookout: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 1 site and high demand Do not rely on GPS for directions; follow official written directions to avoid being sent down wrong roads Be prepared for a 40-foot climb up a very narrow steep stairway to reach the lookout structure
Skip Pickett Butte Lookout if: You are uncomfortable with steep stairs — multiple campers noted stairs are scary, especially when wet, cold, or windy. You need hookups — no hookups available. You visit outside May-October — seasonal operations only.
Best time to visit Pickett Butte Lookout: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Three C Rock Campground (Roseburg, OR), Whisky Camp Guard Station (TILLER, OR), Dumont Creek Campground (Roseburg, OR), Boulder Creek Campground (Roseburg , OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Pickett Butte Lookout
Cell signal at Pickett Butte Lookout (TILLER, OR): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
Perched atop Pickett Butte at an elevation of 3,200 feet, this lookout offers visitors a unique lodging experience in Umpqua National Forest in southwest Oregon. After climbing 40 feet up on a very narrow steep stairway to the one-room structure, guests are rewarded with panoramic views of the entire Jackson Creek Drainage and much of the lower elevation lands around the town of Tiller. The original lookout was 25 feet tall and built in 1934.
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
Do not rely on GPS for directions; follow official written directions to avoid being sent down wrong roads
Be prepared for a 40-foot climb up a very narrow steep stairway to reach the lookout structure
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Important note regarding GPS use: please be advised that GPS units can, and have sent guests down the wrong roads to access the lookout. Please consider following the directions below rather than your GPS unit. Directions: From Canyonville take West 1st Street and turn onto SE 3rd St/OR-227. Continue to follow OR-227 approximately 23 miles until you reach Tiller. From Tiller take Douglas County Road #46 for 3 miles to the Pickett Butte turn off which is marked as Forest Service Road #3113 (on th
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 — Umpqua National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Umpqua National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Pickett Butte Lookout cost per night?+
What season is Pickett Butte Lookout open?+
Does Pickett Butte Lookout have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Pickett Butte Lookout?+
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What is the cell service like at Pickett Butte Lookout?+
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●Data sources on this page
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