Scattered through California's National Forests are cabins and fire lookouts no longer in use by the Forest Service and now available for rent by the public. Some of the lodgings are in remote locations, while others are in easily accessible sites. For most locations, the cabin or lookout offers a magnificent setting with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forest.
Sly Guard Cabin
Gold Star - The best of the cabins and lookouts.
Green Star - Cabins and lookouts with good facilities.
Green Triangle - Limited amenities, but nice locations.
Everyone's interests are different, so a perfect cabin or lookout for one might be only mediocre for another. Use our symbols as a starting point on your quest to find the best cabin or lookout for you.
Grouse Valley Cabin
(Currently closed until 2027 for maintenance and repairs)
Renters should expect rustic accommodations, often without some of the amenities found in modern cabin rentals. Most Forest Service cabins and lookouts do not have electricity or running water. Renters provide many of their basic supplies, but in return they enjoy quiet days of repose in a unique, historic structure.
If this sounds a little too rustic, look at the Gold Star locations, which have running water, electrictiy or propane, and other nice amenities.
While every Forest Service rental cabin or lookout is different, there are many things they have in common.
Most do not have running water. Guests may need to provide their own water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
Very few have electricity, but many have propane fueled appliances, most often stoves and heaters. The propane is provided. When there is no electricity, bring battery powered lanterns and flashlights. Many places do not allow visitors to use any open flame appliance, e.g. Coleman stove, indoors.
Most commonly the cabin or lookout will have beds with mattresses. Often there are not quite enough beds to sleep all the people permitted in the total occupancy. In every case, guests must bring sleeping bags or their own linens and blankets.
Stoves are usually provided, but if not, talk to the appropriate Forest Service office to find out what their rules are governing the use of appliances such as Coleman stoves. Website information is often vague. When a stove/oven is provided, pots and pans are usually provided, but not always.
Almost every cabin or lookout has a separate outhouse with a vault toilet. A few of the nicer cabins have flush toilets indoors.
Many things they often recommend visitors bring with them:
Guests are instructed to clean the cabin, remove all the food they brought, and haul away their trash. Cleaning supplies are almost always supplied.
