In 1898, homesteader William T. Pickett rode in to this area on horseback and decided to stay and build a life. Perched atop the butte named after him, the Pickett Butte Lookout offers a view of the entire Jackson Creek Drainage and much of the lower elevation lands around the town of Tiller. The Rogue-Umpqua Divide, south and east of Pickett Butte, has scenic peak landmarks, which are capped with snow until early summer.
The 12’ x 12’ one-room lookout is furnished with a single bed, and a small table and chair, and is equipped with a propane heater, lanterns, cooking stove with oven and a refrigerator (propane is provided). A vault toilet is located at the lookout site. There is a pulley system available to transport items from the ground to the lookout (use at your own risk). There is no water at the site, so visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. Potable water is available at a spigot in front of the Tiller Ranger Station office.
- Availability: The tower is available for reservations October 1st through July 15th (lookout is utilized for fire season during the summer months).
- Price & Capacity: $40 per night per group, with a maximum of four occupants. Fees are used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the lookout.
- Reservations: Reservations must be made at least two days in advance. The maximum-length stay is three consecutive nights. Phone 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov
History
The original lookout tower was 25 feet tall and built in 1934.The tower was replaced with the current flat top structure on a forty foot tower in 1948.
