Camp ObserverHirz Mountain Lookout
Camp site features
Across 1 camp site:
- Pets allowed: all 1 sites
- Largest party: 4 people
Fees
If the reservation was made through recreation.gov please call 1-877-444-6777 to make a refund request. Refunds must be requested no later than 14 days before your scheduled arrival date for a full refund (excluding recreation.gov fee’s).
Reservation Fee: For some facilities, an additional reservation fee is charged. This additional non-refundable fee is $10.00 for the call center and online reservations.
Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for cash payments will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. For cash or check refunds please call us at 530-275-8113. Please Note! Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.
Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure the Recreation.gov will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates and sites (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be canceled and all fees paid will be refunded.
Refunds for Naturally Occurring Events: Refunds will not be issued for naturally occurring events like rain, snow, wind, smoke, extreme temperature, low lake level, etc.
If you are requesting a refund for a walk-up site, please contact the host on-site or call us 530-275-8113. All refunds must be approved and issued through our office or processed though Recreation.gov.
Directions
From Redding, California, take Interstate 5 north approximately 20 miles to Gilman Road, exit 698. Turn right and follow Gilman Road approximately 5 miles to road 35N04. Turn left on the road 35N04. This steep, rocky, dirt road is not recommended for low clearance passenger vehicles. Travel approximately 5 miles to the locked gate. Due to rocky, slippery, steep terrain, the last quarter-mile section of road access to the lookout is for foot traffic only.
Stay Limit
Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.
Reviews
Izabel W
Loop:Area Hirz Mountain Lookout
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Absolutely beautiful!
The dirt road took me 22min, but a more cautious driver would take longer for sure
Definitely wouldn’t want to make the drive without 4WD
The sunset was perfect
Wasps were annoying, but since we arrived at 7pm they were only out for around 30min. We ate dinner after sunset so they didn’t bother us then.
Make sure you bring toilet paper, headlamps, a lantern, bed sheets, and a trash bag
Blankets are probably better than a sleeping bag because it’s so hot at night
Bringing your things up in backpacking backpack is super helpful, the walk would have been rough without that
Sean W
Loop:Area Hirz Mountain Lookout
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
1.5hrs drive from Burney Falls, which was spectacular.
Bring your own cable lock to secure the lookout if you leave. We found a group of people trying to cut through the lock to break into the lookout when we returned on one of the evenings.
Dustin S
Loop:Area Hirz Mountain Lookout
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
Hirz Mountain Lookout was one of the more unique camping/hiking experiences I’ve had. The views from the top are absolutely beautiful, especially during sunset, and the stargazing at night was incredible with very little light pollution. The lookout tower itself is really cool and made for an unforgettable overnight experience.
That said, the hike up is no joke. It’s steep, rocky, and pretty brutal in the spring/summer heat. We decided not to haul all of our gear up because of how difficult the climb was. Definitely pack light and bring plenty of water. It also gets extremely windy at night, so be prepared for that.
One thing that surprised me was how well Verizon cell service worked at the top. Overall, it was a very unique and memorable experience, but I personally wouldn’t recommend it for an extended stay due to the challenging hike and exposure to the elements.
Kayla K
Loop:Area Hirz Mountain Lookout
Site:
Reviewed 10 months ago
I was unable to get to the Lookout. I knew the road would be in bad shape but because of the roads were also very steep it was too risky to traverse. I've been able to drive many other road with similar descriptions on rec.gov, so be careful out there! If you get stuck, there's no service. Also, there should be a warning about the Google maps location (which will lead you astray if you're dumb enough like me to follow it). Beautiful area ! Hope to go back if I can ever rent a jeep.
Oliver W
Loop:Area Hirz Mountain Lookout
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
The tower was excellent and the views were beautiful! bring binoculars!
The road is really intense. It took us >60mins to travel 5 miles, and we had to repeatedly get out to move rocks that we thought might damage our car. You definitely need an AWD in at least 2 places because of bits of the road being washed out. The more clearance and ruggedness your car, the greater peace of mind you'll have.
Advice for the tower
- There are two cots in the tower, so bring 2 more if you are sleeping 4.
- The walk from the car to the tower is steep and strenuous and you'll arrive at the tower sweaty and tired. The less stuff you bring the better.
- There is no lock on the tower, so bring a bike cable lock if you want to lock it whilst you are out.
- There is cell phone service.
- There is a good picnic table outside.
- The drop toilet is good.
- There aren't hiking trails, we walked along the road in the day time to amuse ourselves.
- Wasps will harass you whilst eating/cooking outside.
- You may encounter (or hear) deer hunters.
The tower was lovingly restored by Historicorps. I am going to look into volunteering with them.
Lauren F
Loop:Area Hirz Mountain Lookout
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
What an amazing experience. The four nights in my opinion are the ONLY way to experience this tower. Especially with that hike up, worth it to carry up your stuff and settle in for a longer lovely time. I traveled to Hirz as a solo female traveler and found it very peaceful and safe. I did have a full flat tire my departing morning (due to tire age+ripping the roads combo) and luckily the flat landing parking area there at the base of the hike made it a simple swap.
If you are uncomfortable with wasps please be aware they are really present here, but were all friendly to me - despite annoying. One nearly crawled into my mouth while eating and I drank a dead one in my morning coffee on accident! Wild.
WHAT TO BRING: I would suggest bringing a combo cable lock (like a bike lock) for the cat walk as traditional u-shaped locks will prove difficult to lock upon leaving the tower to go explore. Binoculars to spy the water skiers at the base of the mountain. And a quality bluetooth speaker to blast the Dune OST.
