Washington Fire Lookouts You Can Visit
Mt. Freemont Lookout Tower. Photo credit: Shelby Lee
Detecting wildfires in 2023 is aided by a wide range of modern technologies, from planets and satellites that can detect the thermal signature of a fire to recreationists who are almost all “armed” with cell phones that allow them to rapidly report the first sign of a smoke plume (or at least report as soon as they get into cell phone range). But in the 20th century, fire towers provided a crucial part of the region’s fire defense system. At one time, there were over 600 fire towers in Washington State—of the towers that are still standing, 21 are on the National Register of Historic Places, and at least 13, including 5 on the historic register, currently allow overnight stays.
From cabins built flat on the ground, to ones perched on high towers to provide a perfect 360 degree view, these structures are scenic reminders of the past that offer spectacular views, and in some cases, a place where you can spend the night or get inside during the day to get a taste of the fire observer life. There are towers you can drive to, those that only require a short hike, and one, Desolation Lookout in Ross Lake National Recreation Area, that takes a boat ride and a hike to access, as you can see from a Visit Bellingham blog post.
Lookouts That You Can Visit During The Day
Red Top Lookout in Kittitas County can be reached on a long and bumpy ride on FS RD 9702, which takes off from US-97/Blewett Pass by a short hike. This tower is perched on top of the ridge and is often open for visitors on summer days. You can also access the trail from the Teanaway side, from the Miller Bear Trailhead. No pass is required at the Red Top Trailhead, but a NW Forest Pass is required at Miller Bear.
Mt. Fremont Lookout in Mt. Rainier National Park, built in the 1930s, offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. It is a 5.6-mile roundtrip from the Sunrise Visitor Center along the Sourdough Ridge and Mt. Fremont Trails. There is a fee to enter the park if you don’t have a National Parks Pass.
Red Top Lookout. Photo credit: Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce
Mt. Freemont Lookout. Photo credit: Shelby Lee
Primitive Lookouts Open For Overnight Stays
The Evergreen Lookout in the Wild Sky Wilderness is also about a 1.3-mile hike from the trailhead. This shelter, perched at 5,587’ on Evergreen Mountain, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is normally open for overnight stays—however, it will be closed for the 2023 rental season to allow for repairs to the structure. You do not need a pass to park at the trailhead.
The Mt. Pilchuck lookout in the Mt. Pilchuck State Forest offers an incredible panoramic view of the Puget Sound lowlands and the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. The lookout was originally built in 1918 and rebuilt by the Everett Mountaineers in 1990. It is available for overnight use. Although the lookout is on WDNR land, the trailhead is in the National Forest, and a Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking.
The Steliko Lookout in the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest was built in 1947 and has a 16’ x 16' cabin on top of a tower. It has been remodeled and made available for rent. You will need a high clearance vehicle to drive to the tower.
Hidden Lake Lookout in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest right at the edge of North Cascades National Park was built in 1931 and offers a 360-degree view of the North Cascades and Olympic Mountains as well as distant volcanos. It is open year round on a first-come basis and is a 3.2-mile hike from the Hidden Lake Trailhead. No pass is required at the trailhead and the Forest Service says the Access Rd (1540) is suitable for all vehicles.
For the more adventurous, and less acrophobic, the Lookout Mountain Lookout, built in 1962, is perched on top of a tower. The Forest Service advises that, to prevent the catwalks from collapsing, there is a limit of two people per side. This tower is reached by the 4.2-mile-long Lookout Mountain Trail, and a NW Forest Pass is required at the trailhead, which is on Cascade River Road.
The Quartz Mountain Lookout in Mt. Spokane State Park has drinking water and more equipment than some of the Forest Service primitive structures but still requires you to bring your own linens. This lookout on a tower is a 2.7-mile walk or bike from the nearest trailhead. A Discover Pass is required to park.
If you want to enjoy a more comfortable stay, the North Mountain Lookout on DNR Trust Lands has been restored and is being managed by the Friends of North Mountain, who have furnished the cabin with period pieces by local artisans. This lookout, built in 1965, is one of the easiest to reach—you can drive to it in a passenger car.
If you are interested in more fire towers, Chris, at the Trail Chick blog, identified and photographed 93 fire towers.
