Recreation Rentals of the Pacific Northwest

US Forest Service

Map of Forests

Bureau of Land Management

Oregon and Washington

National Park Service

North Cascades

Bald Knob Lookout - Oregon

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

History

Bald Knob was originally developed as a lookout site in 1931 when a gable-roofed "L-4" style lookout was built here. The Forest Service removed the old lookout in 1963 and replaced it with the present flat top structure that same year. Bald Knob served as an Aircraft Warning Service (AWS) observation station during 1942-44 (a small cabin was added for the observers to live in); the AWS program ended in 1944 when radar became effective along the Coast.

Until the 1950s, communication was by crank telephones (which meant a lot of work maintaining the phone line during winter, when snow typically caused a lot of trees to come down and break the line). No real effective FS radio system from any of the lookout perched on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest existed until after the Second World War.

Description

Bald Knob Lookout, at 3,630 feet above sea level, rests atop a twenty-one foot tower. The 16 x 16 foot one-room flat top cabin is equipped with basic amenities, including propane stove, heater, refrigerator and lights. Furnishings include a single bed and a small table and chairs. Be sure to pack sufficient camping equipment, such as bedding and cooking supplies. There is no water on site, so visitors must also bring water for drinking, cooking and washing.

Area Attractions & Activities

• Panther Ridge Trail

Amenities

• Outhouse
• Propane Stove
• Heater
• Refrigerator
• Lights

The site has sufficient space for one small tent, but strong winds could blow a tent off the mountain unless adequately weighted down inside.

Pets

No pets allowed.

Smoking

No smoking.

Directions

Drive south from the Powers Ranger District office on Highway 242 through the town of Powers to the Forest boundary. Continue on Forest Service Road (FSR) 33 along the South Fork of the Coquille River for approximately 11.5 miles to the junction of road 3348. Travel up FSR 3348 approximately 2 miles to the junction of FSR 5520. Turn right, and the pavement ends. Take FSR 5520 for two miles, then turn right on FSR 5520-020, and follow this spur road approximately two miles to a gate. Go through the gate and continue through a second gate to the end of the lookout road.