Pine Mountain Lookout in CA -- Campground & RV Camping in California
Pine Mountain Lookout in CA
U.S. Forest Service allows overnight stays only at the designated sites here.
Perched at 4,400 feet elevation on a rocky outcropping in Mendocino National Forest, Pine Mountain Lookout is a historic fire detection tower built in 1933. The cabin features a 180-degree view of mountain peaks and is furnished with a set of bunk beds, four cots, touch lights, a dining table, and storage cabinets. Outside, the site has a picnic table, fire ring, grill, and vault toilet outhouse. There is no water or electricity on site. Nearby Bucknell Creek and the Eel River offer fishing and floating, while local trails cater to hiking and hunting.
Road difficulty 3 of 5 -- a rough drive in. Recorded as maintained only for high-clearance vehicles, dirt, pitching to 8%. Flat ground is scarce -- under a tenth of the terrain within a few hundred yards is level.
Pine Mountain Spring lies 0.2 mi off. Private here -- the nearest through road is 1.5 miles off, a single-site campground. Cabins and shelters rather than pads. The nearest town, Redwood Valley, is 12 mi off.
September normals 45–79°F, 0.3″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.
Set by U.S. Forest Service. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.
fs.usda.gov