Places You Can Stay in a Fire Lookout Tower

Why settle for a boring, overpriced hotel room when you could stay in a fire lookout tower on your next vacation?

At present, there are at least 85 lookout towers in the U.S. that you can rent overnight. Some are in National Forests; some are in state parks; and some are on USDA Forest Service land. Most of these lookouts were built during the 1930s and 40s by the Civilian Conservation Corp, so they have loads of character and charm, not to mention amazing views.

Since modern technology has eliminated the need for most fire towers, they can often be rented year-round, but those that are still in use may only be available during the spring and winter months, when the fire threat is at its lowest.

Despite the popularity of this unique lodging option, most fire lookout towers go for just $25-75 a night – a real steal. So, it should come as no surprise that reservations go quickly. If this is something that you want to work into a trip, you’ll probably need to book your stay several months, or as much as a year in advance. To increase your chance of getting a reservation, try to plan your stay on a weeknight. Cancellations sometimes happen, so it pays to keep checking back, if everything is currently booked.

Things You Should Know Before You Rent a Fire Lookout Tower

• • Lookout towers are often in remote areas, so you may have to park and hike in.
  • Many lookouts are only accessible via primitive roads, so be sure to read the descriptions carefully to see if four-wheel drive or a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
  • In most cases, you’ll need to pack in water and supplies.
  • Most fire towers do not have electric or plumbing. The majority have a nearby pit toilet that you can use, but some require you to pack out your waste.
  • Most lookouts prohibit indoor cooking, but provide a cooking pit below the tower.
  • You may need to secure a parking permit and/or fire permit.
  • The step stairs to the tower may not be kid or pet-friendly. If you, or one of your companions, has trouble with stairs, look for a fire lookout cabin. These sit on the edge of a cliff at ground level, so you’ll still get a great view, without all the climbing. I’ve noted the type of accommodations in the list below, to help you find the best option.

List of Fire Lookout Towers You Can Rent

All of these fire lookout towers can be booked through recreation.gov, except where noted.

California

Black Mountain Lookout in Plumas National Forest – 10-ft tower – near Blairsden
Bear Basin Lookout and Cabin in Six Rivers National Forest – rental fee includes the lookout and cabin – near Gasquet
Oak Flat Lookout in Sequoia National Forest – tower – near Kernville
Girard Ridge Lookout in Shasta-Trinity National Forest – 13-ft tower – near McCloud
Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout in Shasta-Trinity National Forest – cabin – near McCloud
McCarthy Point Lookout in Lassen National Forest – cabin – near Red Bluff
Hirz Mountain Lookout in Shasta-Trinity National Forest – 20-ft tower – near Redding
Calpine Lookout in Tahoe National Forest – tower – near Sierraville
Sardine Peak Lookout in Tahoe National Forest – tower – near Sierraville
Pine Mountain Lookout in Mendocino National Forest – cabin – near Upper Lake

Colorado

Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout in Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG – near Idaho Springs
Jersey Jim Lookout in San Juan National Forest – tower – near Delores – call 970-533-7060, between 1 – 5 p.m. MST to reserve. They start taking reservations the first business day of March

Idaho

Arid Peak Lookout in Idaho Panhandle National Forest – tower– near Avery
Surveyors Lookout in Idaho Panhandle National Forest – 30-ft tower – near Avery
Deer Ridge Lookout in Idaho Panhandle National Forest – 40-ft tower – near Bonners Ferry
Shorty Peak Lookout in Idaho Panhandle National Forest – cabin – near Bonners Ferry
Deadwood Lookout Recreation Cabin in Boise National Forest – near Emmett
Castle Butte Lookout in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests – short tower – near Kooskia
Lookout Butte Lookout in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests – 60-ft tower – near Kooskia
Walde Lookout in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests – log cabin – near Kooskia
Austin Ridge Lookout in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest – near Pierce (not available this season)
Wallow Mtn. Lookout in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest – near Pierce (not available this season)
Weitas Butte Lookout in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest – near Pierce (not available this season)
Bald Mountain Lookout in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest – 50-ft tower – near Potlatch
Lunch Peak Lookout (Tower) in Idaho Panhandle National Forest – 15-ft tower – near Sandpoint
Little Guard Lookout in Idaho Panhandle National Forests – 2-story lookout – near Smelterville

Montana

Diamond Butte Lookout in Custer National Forest – 30-ft tower – near Ashland
Mission Lookout in Flathead National Forest – 40-ft – near Big Fork
Garnet Mountain Lookout in Custer Gallatin National Forest – short tower – near Bozeman
Hornet Lookout in Flathead National Forest – 2-story lookout (living space is in ground level) – near Hungry Horse
Gird Point Lookout in Bitterroot National Forest – 8-ft tower – near Darby go here for more info
McGuire Mtn. Lookout in Kootenai National Forest – cabin– near Eureka
Mt. Wam Lookout in Kootenai National Forest – cabin – near Eureka
Webb Mtn. Lookout in Kootenai National Forest – short tower – near Eureka
Monument Peak Lookout in Lewis and Clark National Forest – cabin – near Harlowton
Big Creek Baldy Lookout in Kootenai National Forest – 52-ft tower – near Libby
Granite Butte Lookout on USDA Forest Service land – 20-ft tower– near Lincoln
West Fork Butte Lookout in Lolo National Forest – cabin – near Missoula
Cougar Peak Lookout in Lolo National Forest – cabin – near Plains
Double Arrow Lookout in Lolo National Forest – 20-ft tower – near Seeley Lake
McCart Lookout in Bitterroot National Forest – 10-ft tower – near Sula
Medicine Point Lookout in Bitterroot National Forest – 10-ft tower – near Sula
Thompson Peak Lookout Tower in Lolo National Forest – located on third floor – near Superior
Up Up Lookout in Lolo National Forest – 40-ft tower – near Superior
Mission Lookout in Flathead National Forest – 40-ft tower – near Swan Lake
Gem Peak Lookout in Kootenai National Forest – 30-ft tower – near Trout Creek
Minton Peak Lookout in Kootenai National Forest – cabin – near Trout Creek
Sex Peak Lookout in Kootenai National Forest – cabin – near Trout Creek
Garver Mtn. Lookout in Kootenai National Forest – 40-ft tower – near Troy
Mt. Baldy-Buckhorn Ridge in Kootenai National Forest – 26-ft tower – near Troy
Yaak Mtn. Lookout in Kootenai National Forest – 45-ft tower – near Troy

New Hampshire

Magallowa Mountain Fire Tower in Pittsburg go here for more info

Oregon

Quail Prairie Lookout in Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest – near Brookings (not currently accepting reservations)
Bolan Mountain Lookout in Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest – cabin with 30-40 steps – near Cave Junction
Fairview Peak Lookout Tower in Umpqua National Forest- 53-ft tower – near Cottage Grove (not currently accepting reservations)
Clear Lake Cabin Lookout in Mount Hood National Forest – 40-ft tower – near Dufur
Fivemile Butte Lookout in Mount Hood National Forest – 40-ft tower – near Dufur
Lake of the Woods Lookout in Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest- 12-ft tower – near Gold Beach
Snow Camp Lookout in Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest – cabin – near Gold Beach (closed until further notice)
Onion Mountain Lookout in Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest – 12-ft tower – near Grants Pass (not currently accepting reservations)
Squaw Peak Lookout in Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest – cabin – near Jacksonville
Drake Peak Lookout in Fremont-Winema National Forest – cabin – near Lakeview
Tamarack Cabin in Umatilla National Forest – cabin near the tower – near Lexington
Indian Ridge Lookout in Willamette National Forest – 30-ft tower – near Mckenzie Bridge
Gold Butte Lookout in Willamette National Forest – cabin – near Mill City
Bald Butte Lookout in Fremont-Powers National Forest – cabin – near Paisley
Bald Knob Lookout in Rouge-Siskiyou National Forest – short tower – near Powers
Fall Mountain Lookout Cabin in Malheur National Forest – 18-ft tower – near Prairie City
Hager Mountain Lookout in Fremont-Winema National Forest – cabin – near Silver Lake
Green Ridge Lookout in Deschutes National Forest – two-story tower – near Bend
Acker Rock Lookout in Umpqua National Forest – cabin– near Tiller
Pickett Butte Lookout in Umpqua National Forest – 40-ft tower – near Tiller
Warner Mountain Lookout in Willamette National Forest – 40-ft tower– near Westfir

South Dakota

Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin in Blackhills National Forest – log cabin built to house fire tower personnel – near Custer

Washington

Hidden Lake Lookout in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest – cabin – near Marblemount, WA go here for more info
Clearwater Lookout Cabin in Umatilla National Forest – cabin at the base of fire tower – near Pomeroy
Heybrook Lookout in Snoqualmie National Forest – 67-ft tower – near Skykomish
Evergreen Mountain Lookout in Snoqualmie National Forest – cabin – near Skykomish
Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout in Spokane State Park – short tower – near Mead go here for more info
Lookout Mountain Lookout in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest – tower – near Marblemount go here for more info
Park Butte Lookout in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest – cabin – near Concrete go here for more info
Three Fingers Lookout in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest – cabin (requires mountain climbing gear to access)- near Darrington go here for more info
Winchester Mountain Lookout in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest – cabin – Whatcom County go here for more info

West Virginia

Thorny Mountain Fire Tower – Seneca State Park – 65-ft tower – near Dunmore – go here for more info

Wyoming

Sheep Mountain Fire Lookout on USDA Forest Service land – short tower – near Buffalo
Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout Tower in Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin NG – 55-ft tower – near Laramie

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Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service. Green Ridge Lookout in Deschutes National Forest near Bend, Oregon.