CampFinder Blog

Red Oak Fire Lookout

Red Oak Fire Lookout cancellation alerts

Red Oak Fire 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 (4 ratings) · 1 sites · $100/night

Watch Red Oak Fire Lookout for free  Book on Recreation.gov · Google Maps

About

Red Oak Fire Lookout is approximately 12 miles south of Cowen, West Virginia. It sits at an elevation of 3,704 feet. Guests enjoy the area for its magnificent views, wildlife viewing and historic background. The original Red Oak Fire Tower in Webster County was erected using Civilian Conservation Corps labor in 1934.  It was a wooden framed structure with a wooden cab.  In 1964 it was replaced by the current metal structure, which was an improved design of the time period.  Like all of the fire towers on Forest, it was retired by the late 1970s.  The tower still stands and is in good condition and is now used as a recreational opportunity.    The site is an ideal location for birdwatching, hunting, gravel bike riding, and stargazing. Other activities that require a short driver are hiking and biking trails and fishing.  The tower cab has lights and an electric outlet. There is a vault toilet onsite. The campsite has a 50 and 30 amp service for RVs. There are picnic tables, a combination fire ring/grill, and lantern post at the site.The site is located in a portion of the Forest with active management. Timber activities provide wildlife with a diverse habitat. The Cranberry and Williams Rivers are nearby, providing fishing opportunities for both native and stocked trout.The towns of Cowen and Richwood have basic supplies and restaurants. The Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, located 20 miles from the site, has educational displays, nature programs, and a gift shop.

Amenities

• Toilets (vault)
• Hookups (electric)

Availability at Red Oak Fire 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 Red Oak Fire Lookout.