Fivemile Butte Lookout

The numbers that decide it

Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero. See it on Recreation.gov

Fivemile Butte Lookout

Ponderosa pines, Douglas-fir and western hemlock provide a dense canopy over the mountainside, shading numerous creeks and providing a lush and varied habitat at Fivemile Butte. While hiking the many trails, be sure to have binoculars on hand and watch for Golden eagles, wild turkeys, grouse and the brilliant blue flash of camp robbers, the common nickname for Steller’s jays. Other wildlife, such as elk, deer, coyote, cougars, and bears frequent the area and visit the nearby creeks for a drink or a meal. The cabin is atop a 40-foot tower and is surrounded by a wooden catwalk. The 14x14 foot room is furnished with a small, single bed, a wood stove for heating, and a table and chair, and is equipped with a propane cook stove and a solar lighting system. There is no water on site; visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. An outhouse is located near by, as well as a shed stocked with firewood. A rope and pulley system is available to transport gear, as well as firewood, up and down the tower with ease. There is also a fire ring for campfires and barbecuing on site. History The original lookout was established by the Forest Service in the 1920s, and was just a small cab on a 30-foot pole tower. In 1932 a standard L-4 lookout was built to replace the earlier lookout, but was destroyed by heavy snow in 1942. A non-typical L-4 replacement was rebuilt. In 1957 it was replace by the present R-6 Flat Top style lookout.

Before you go

Scenic drives that pass close

• Mount Hood5 mi
• Historic Columbia River18 mi
• JCT CROSSING OF GIBBONS CREEK VIC WASHOUGAL TO JCT PLYMOUTH INDUSTRIAL RD18 mi
• JCT SR 14 VIC BINGEN TO SKAMANIA COUNTY LINE21 mi
• JCT SR 14 VIC LYLE TO JCT SR 97 VIC GOLDENDALE22 mi