Type: 82′ tower with 7×7′ cab
Status: Staffed
Elevation: 6.982′
Visited: June 29, 2007 and June 22, 2023
While visiting the Wallowa Mountains my sister and I drove out to Hat Point one day. This lookout is staffed and there’s an observation deck part of the way up.
It was CRAZY windy up there, but the views were great. Looking southwest to the Wallowa Mountains:
Looking east to the Seven Devils:
Looking down on the Snake River far below:
Descending the tower:
Just a few weeks after our visit lightning started a fire on July 14. It eventually grew into the Battle Creek Complex and burned more than 75,000 acres. The fire burned right up onto Hat Point but thankfully the tower itself did not burn. Read more here.
I visited Hat Point again in June 2023 during a trip to northeast Oregon.
There’s a viewing platform around the base as well as one about two-thirds up the tower. The views are pretty dang nice on a beautiful June day! The Seven Devils:
Wallowa Mountains:
Hells Canyon:
Zoomed-in on the Snake River far below:
Looking north:
I didn’t spot them until a little bit after taking the above photo, but there are mountain goats out there at the edge of the trees on the far right:
These shelters over the nearby picnic tables only provide a little bit of shade. It can get quite hot here in summer:
This is the living quarters for the lookout. A crew was there that day getting the place ready for the impending arrival of said lookout:
Directions
From the town of Imnaha turn onto Road 4240. Follow this road 22.6 miles all the way to its end at Hat Point. The road is steep and narrow at times.
More information
Forest Lookouts
Rex’s Forest Fire Lookout Page
National Historic Lookout Register
Peakbagger
Panorama Photos
Geocache
History
In 1916 a 60′ tower with a 7×7′ cab was built:
It’s unclear when it was built, but nearby Memaloose Guard Station (pictured below in 2023) served as a home base for the lookout until a log cabin was built at the lookout in 1933.
In 1948 an 82′ tower with a 7×7′ cab was built, which is the lookout that still stands there:
At some point (maybe in the 80s or 90s?) an observation deck was installed about 60 feet up the tower, enabling visitors to climb up and get a view without disturbing the staffer in the cabin.
Memaloose Guard Station burned in a suspicious fire in June 2025.