USDA Forest Service · Oregon

Acorn Woman Peak Lookout

USDA Forest Service · Oregon, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Official page Directions
Sites
1
Season
May 27 to September 22
Drinking water
No
Restrooms
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
4,905 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
NFSR 2010350 · native material · high clearance vehicles
Lake
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Nearest town
Jacksonville
Address
6941 Upper Applegate Road, Jacksonville, OR, 97530
Phone
541-899-3800
Activities
Birding, Camping, Historic & Cultural Site, Historic Sites, Lookout Tower, Observation Site, Photography, Star Gazing, Wildlife Viewing

1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

Acorn Woman Peak Lookout was constructed in 1942. It is an L-4 style cabin, and is on the National Historic Site Registry. The lookout is surrounded by glass windows on all sides, providing visitors with an unparalleled view of the steep drop-offs and breath-taking views of the rugged Siskiyou Mountains. This historic lookout is available for rent during the snow-free season with a maximum length of stay being 5 consecutive nights. Guests must bring most of their own amenities.

Recreation

The lookout is also a prime spot for nature and scenic photography due to the stunning vistas provided. For visitors interested in astronomy, stargazing is a popular activity on clear nights.

Facilities

The 14 x 14 foot one room cabin is designed to house only one or two people, and offers a primitive camping experience. The room is equipped with a small wooden table, and the center of the building has a working Osborne Firefinder on its work table. Broom, mop, and fire extinguisher are on site, as well as a small storage box with toilet paper, forest and ranger district maps and information about the lookout and its surroundings. A primitive vault toilet is located near the lookout. No water is available on site, so guests must pack in water for drinking, cooking and washing. Guests must also provide their own camp stove, light source, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, towels, dish soap, matches, cooking gear, and garbage bags.

Natural Features

From the lookout, guests are treated to expansive views of the Red Buttes Wilderness area, Acorn Woman Lake and the Little Applegate Valley. To the north are far views of the Rogue Valley and Mt. McLaughlin and to the east is Wagner Butte and Dutchman Peak. On a clear day, visitors can see the rim of Crater Lake, Mt. Bailey and Mt. Thielsen. Clear nights provide guests with a dazzling display of stars and planets.

Nearby Attractions

The United States Congress designated the Red Buttes Wilderness in 1984 and it now includes a total of 19,940 acres. Management of the Red Buttes Wilderness, located on the California/Oregon border, is shared by the Klamath National Forest and the Rogue River - Siskiyou National Forest. The majority of the Wilderness lies within the boundaries of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Several lakes are accessible in the forest. Acorn Woman Peak looks south to Acorn Woman Lakes, a semi-primitive developed recreation area that accepts camping reservations from May through September. Applegate Lake is a large reservoir with boat ramps, campgrounds, viewpoints and a developed recreation area named Hart Tish. Both lakes are open for fishing year-round.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January39°26°14°52°11 of 11
February38°26°-1°61°11 of 11
March44°26°10°70°11 of 11
April51°29°17°67°11 of 11
May59°38°27°76°5 of 11
June67°43°30°87°1 of 11
July80°52°41°94°0 of 11
August79°52°42°95°0 of 11
September70°46°35°91°0 of 11
October63°37°28°76°5 of 10
November48°31°21°61°9 of 10
December37°26°12°54°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Oregon · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.