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Flag Point Lookout

Mt. Hood National Forest · Oregon · Recreation.gov

Flag Point Lookout cancellation alerts

Flag Point Lookout is usually sold out. Get a free email when a cancellation opens: pick your dates and we check Recreation.gov every 30 minutes.

★ 4.5 (17 ratings) · $50/night

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Exterior of Flag Point lookout from access road.View of Mt. Hood from the Flag Point Lookout catwalk.View from top of Flag Point lookout. Flag Point Stove

About

Flag Point Lookout is situated on the eastern side of Mt. Hood and is surrounded by the Badger Creek Wilderness, the lookout boasts a spectacular panorama view of snow-covered treetops and rugged Cascade peaks. It provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, as well as winter sports. During summer driving conditions the lookout can be accessed by driving, 4WD or AWD is highly recommended. During winter driving conditions, the lookout can only be accessed by skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing either 10 or 17 miles from a parking area at Billybob Sno-park or Little John Sno-park. Winter driving conditions can occur in early fall and persist late into the spring.

A Northwest Forest Pass is required for the parking area at Billy Bob Sno-park, annual or day passes can be purchased in person at the Hood River Ranger Station or online at https://www.discovernw.org/annual-northwest-forest-pass. An ODOT Sno-park pass is required for parking at Little John Sno-park and can be purchased at local vendors or online at https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/vehicle/sno_park_permits.aspx.

Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Basic overnight amenities such as a wood heating stove, gas cook stove, full size bed, cooking utensils, firewood, and a pit toilet are provided. This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (541) 352-6002.The cabin is atop a 40-foot tower and is surrounded by a wooden catwalk. The 14-by-14 room is furnished with a small bed, a wood stove for heating and a table and chairs. It has a propane cook stove and solar-powered lights. There is no water on-site.  An outhouse with a vault toilet is located on the ground, 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. Guests will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as their own sleeping bags/bedding, a flashlight or lantern for emergencies, first aid kit, washcloths and towels, dish soap and garbage bags. This is a "Pack it in, Pack it out" facility; guests will need to carry out all trash and clean the facility prior to leaving. The tower sits in the center of the Badger Creek Wilderness, at 5,500ft of elevation, on the south east side of Mt. Hood. Of the nine peaks in Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range, Mt. Hood stands the tallest, at 11,239 feet. It is thickly forested and capped with glaciers and snow.   The lookout tower is one of three Forest Service watchtowers on Mt. Hood and it is still used to spot fires during summertime each year. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area. In the summer months, visitors enjoy hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking in the area, as well as the gorgeous views from the lookout. The lookout is near Fifteenmile Campground, and an established network of trails within the Badger Creek wilderness.

The area is popular among winter sports enthusiasts as well, as the location provides access to numerous cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling trails. It is a shared winter recreation area and lookout guests should expect other winter sports enthusiasts in the area.

Amenities

Availability at Flag Point Lookout

CampFinder checks Recreation.gov every 30 minutes, around the clock, and emails you when a booked-up night opens back up. That catches most cancellations, which sit open for hours; at the few campgrounds that refill in seconds it can miss the race. Set up a free availability alert for Flag Point Lookout.