Wanderlust Tours
Camping business nearby (~38 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet
Sisters, Oregon
Free — you'll pick up right here.
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Deschutes National Forest
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.
Live from Recreation.gov for Green Ridge Lookout.
Green Ridge Lookout
Suggested plan · check conditions before you go
Overview Green Ridge Lookout is perched on a ridge more than 2,000 feet above the Metolius River. It offers guests a unique lodging experience in Deschutes National Forest. The lookout, a 20-foot tall fire lookout with unmatched views of Mt. Jefferson and the Metolius River basin, was built in the 1960s. Green Ridge Lookout is available for rent early May - June and mid September - mid November. During the summer months, the lookout is staffed with Forest Service volunteers who help with forest fire detection. Recreation Fishing and hiking top the list of recreational activities in the area. For anglers, the Metolius River offers a stunning setting for fly-fishing. Its clear, cold waters support rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout and kokanee salmon. For day hikers and backpackers, the area offers a wide variety of scenic terrain, ranging from riverside trails to routes through subalpine forests. Several pleasant day hikes are found along the Metolius River and to the top of Black Butte. Lake Billy Chinook, approximately ten miles away, offers boating and fishing opportunities. Facilities The R6 style cab sits on a two-story tower hugging the side of Green Ridge. From the parking area, there is a short boardwalk to the lower 20x20-ft. wooden deck. A one story flight of steps leads to the catwalk of the upper deck surrounding the cabin. The one-room cabin is furnished with a futon, a table and two chairs. It is also equipped with a propane refrigerator, an overhead light, a propane wall heater, a four-burner propane stove and oven. Guests must bring several of their own amenities, including food, water, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, towels, cookware, dish soap, matches, toilet paper and garbage bags. There is no water available at the site. Guests must bring water for drinking, cooking and washing. Although lighting is available, bringing an additional light source is recommended. Natural Features Guests to Green Ridge Lookout are treated to views of snow-capped mountain peaks and dense forests of Douglas-fir, cedar and Ponderosa pine that stretch out to the horizon. Mount Jefferson, the most prominent peak in view, is a stratovolcano that reaches an elevation of 10,497 feet, the second highest mountain in Oregon. The scenic Metolius River flows through the basin beneath the tower lookout. The headwaters of the river are at Metolius Springs at the base of nearby Black Butte, a 6,436 ft. cinder cone. The clear, cold river flows north from the springs through diverse coniferous forest and a landscape of volcanic activity. Nearby Attractions
Active alerts for Deschutes National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:
Recreating in the Cedar Creek Fire Burned Area
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Wilderness Permit, Camping & Fire Restrictions Order
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Deschutes 14-Day Camping Order
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
critical · posted Aug 24, 2026
Camping & Campfire Restrictions Forest Order
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Cave Resource Protection Forest Order
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: USFS forest alerts
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Pioneer Ford Campground
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Oregon.
Lower Bridge Campground
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Oregon.
Lower Canyon Creek Campground
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Oregon.
Candle Creek Campground
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Oregon.
Smiling River Campground
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Oregon.
Gorge Campground
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Oregon.
Pine Rest Campground
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Oregon.
Camp Sherman Campground
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Oregon.
Jack Creek Campground
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Oregon.
Photo: DBerry2006 — CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Camp Sherman
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Oregon.
Local operators near Sistersoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.
Wanderlust Tours
Camping business nearby (~38 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet
Scandia RV
Camping business nearby (~38 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet
Patio RV Park
Camping business nearby (~38 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet