Park Butte Lookout House

@michaelmatti

Washington

•

Sedro-Woolley

This scenic lookout near Mount Baker is the dreamiest place to spend a night in the open wilderness of Park Butte. You'll be able to watch the sun set out over the mountains in the distance, with the rustic house along the tree-line mountain path. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I hope everyone has the chance of seeing one day!

Plan

Overview

Skill level

Difficult

Accessbility

Public Location

Hours

Anytime

Fee

$5 parking fee or free with a Northwest Forest Pass or an America the Beautiful Pass

Pack

Wide-angle lens (16mm)
Model/hiking buddy
Zoom lens (optional)
Water
Snacks
Camping gear (if staying overnight)
Headlamp

How to get there

N48° 42' 59.1804"W121° 51' 22.7016"

This photo was taken next to Park Butte Lookout in Washington. If you're coming from Burlington, you can reach the trailhead for this hike by turning left off of Hwy 20 onto Baker Lake Road. Follow Baker Lake Road for 12.2 miles and then turn left onto NF-12. Follow NF-12 for 3.5 miles and then make a right onto NF-13. Drive down NF-13 for 5.1 miles until you reach the trailhead of Park Butte (48.706737, -121.812407). Once parked, display your pass and then head up the trail toward Park Butte Lookout. The trail is well signed and easy to follow, but I recommend referencing the GPS coordinates while you begin your trek. Make sure to stay to the left at any of the forks you come to on Park Butte Trail. After about 3.7 miles of hiking, and 2,200 feet of elevation gain, you'll reach the lookout.