Needles Lookout
- 4.0 mi
- round trip
- 714 ft
- climb
- 8,177 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Needles Lookout open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Sequoia National Forest. It doesn't name Needles Lookout, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Tule River Glass Container Prohibition Area
Agency closure covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-02 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
Trail of 100 Giants Boardwalk and Area Closure
Agency closure covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-03 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
PUBLIC NUDITY PROHIBITION - Sequoia National Forest
Agency alert covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-06 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
Chico Flat Dispersed Camping Area Prohibition 26-27
Agency alert covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-09 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
Wildlife Alert - BEARS
Agency alert covering Sequoia National Forest · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Sequoia National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Needles Lookout is a moderate hike of about 4 miles on a natural-surface trail in the Western Divide Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back that climbs roughly 714 feet from a low point of about 7,760 feet to a high of about 8,177 feet. Bikes are allowed on this trail, which makes it a practical choice for riders as well as hikers. The climb is a steady one over the course of the hike, with no single stretch that stands out as especially steep. The lookout sits close to a cluster of climbing areas, including Needles, The about a mile away and Magician, The about 1.5 miles off. Quaking Aspen campground and the Freeman Creek hike are each about 2 miles from the trailhead.
Local outfitters
- Big Willi Mountaineering Company42 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Freeman Creek
~4 min drive
10.40-mile out-and-back trail in California with 609 ft gain
Photo: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Summit Trail
~4 min drive
3.0-mile out-and-back trail in California with 1,358 ft gain and 7,377 ft max elevation.
Photo: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Summit Trail
~4 min drive
1.38-mile out-and-back trail in California with 458 ft elevation gain and loss.
HIKE
Bear Creek Trail
~11 min drive
12.74-mile out-and-back trail in California with 5,552 ft gain and 9,041 ft max elevation.
Photo: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Nelson
~8 min drive
7.20-mile out-and-back trail in California with 2,029 ft gain.
Elephant Knob
~14 min drive
3.60-mile out-and-back trail in California with 349 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Jerky Trailhead
~6 min drive
0.8-mile out-and-back trail at Jerky Trailhead in California with 145 ft gain.
HIKE
Summit Trail
~13 min drive
24.58-mile out-and-back trail in California with 5,256 ft gain/loss and 9,915 ft max elevation.
HIKE
Lewis Camp
~5 min drive
An 8.20-mile out-and-back trail in California connecting to Trout Meadow and Kern Ranger Station.
HIKE
Needles Creek-Needles Camp
~4 min drive
2.00-mile out-and-back trail in California with 125 ft gain.