What You Need to Know About Spending the Night in a Fire Lookout

Before wildfire detection technology advanced, fire lookouts were the best way to spot developing fires in the forest. Fire lookouts are perched at a high elevation and occupied during fire season by the lookout. The lookout visually scans the area for lightning strikes and forest fires from the vantage point. Once a fire is spotted, they alert the closest ranger station and give local landmarks to help firefighters locate the fire quickly.

At one point, 686 lookouts were operating in Washington, but only 106 structures are left with 28 still functioning to this day. Not all of those retired lookouts are in disuse, though. Some are accessible via hikes and available for overnight stays. The fire lookouts offer primitive shelter and are a fun way to experience nature from a great viewpoint of the surrounding landscape. We compiled a list of some of Washington’s most popular fire lookouts that can be reserved or are available on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

Winchester Fire Lookout. Photo by Andy Porter.

• Be a responsible visitor.
• Not all fire lookouts are open to the public, or are only open during the day when staffed. Remember to take good care of these historic structures when visiting and don’t try to enter locked lookouts.

These fire lookouts offer very sparse amenities, so check beforehand for specific details per lookout and bring what you will need to enjoy your time. Very important: no running water is available at any location so bring enough water for your stay. And as always, use extreme caution when using an open flame and pack out all trash, food and waste. Guests are also expected to clean up after themselves after their stay at the fire lookout. 

Most rentals are operated by USFS, but a couple are privately owned and have a separate booking process. Nightly fees for rentals can range from $75–$150 per night. Reservations are typically made available 6 months in advance of the peak season (from mid-June to mid-October) and book up fast (like, really fast) so be ready to lock in those dates early. Each rental has different rules for the minimum or maximum length of stay and some fire lookouts ask for a key deposit that is refunded upon return. 

Tyee Fire Lookout. Photo by Kate Galambos.

When it comes to the fire lookouts that are available on a first-come, first-served basis, it is important to gauge what your expectations are for your experience. It is very unlikely that you will have the entire lookout to yourself, so expect to share the space and potentially make new friends. Sometimes the lookout might be too crowded and you might have to hike back the same day or find an alternative campsite. Confirm ahead of time with the ranger district or the land manager if the fire lookout is open for overnight use and make sure you have the appropriate permits, if necessary, to explore the area. 

Whether you reserve ahead of time or opt for the first-come, first-serve option, the unique experience of staying in a lookout will be one to remember.

Where you can stay in a fire lookout

Note that many reservable fire lookouts are reservable well in advance and book up quickly. Most lookouts on recreation.gov are reservable on a 6-month rolling basis. Check individual listings for details. 

Washington rentals

• Heybrook Lookout: East of Index on U.S. 2. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Evergreen Mountain Lookout: Northeast of Skykomish on U.S. 2. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout: Located in Mount Spokane State Park off of SR 206. Reserve on parks.wa.gov.
• Steliko Lookout and Tyee Lookout: West of Entiat on Hwy 97. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Clearwater Lookout: South of Pomeroy on Hwy 12. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• North Mountain Lookout: Located in Darrington on SR 503. Operated by Friends of North Mountain. Reserve on airbnb.com.
• Lorna Butte Lookout: Located in Goldendale off of Hwy 97. Privately owned. Contact Lefever Holbrook Ranch on facebook.com.

First-come, first-served in Washington

• Mt. Baker Ranger District: Winchester Mountain, Park Butte, Hidden Lake and Lookout Mountain lookouts.
• Darrington Ranger District: Three Fingers, Mount Pilchuck
• Cowlitz Valley Ranger District: Burley Mountain

Oregon rentals 

• Acker Rock Lookout: East of Tiller on Tiller Trail Hwy. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Bald Knob Lookout: South of Powers on Oregon Route 542. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Clear Lake Cabin: South of Mt. Hood on Hwy 26. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Drake Peak: West of Plush on OR-140 W. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Fall Mountain: South of John Day on Hwy 395. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Fivemile Butte: West of Dufur on Hwy 197. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Green Ridge: West of Sisters on Hwy 20. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Hager Mountain: South of Silver Lake on Hwy 31. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Indian Ridge: East of Eugene on I-105 E. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Lake Of The Woods: East of Gold Beach on Hwy 101. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Pickett Butte: East of Tiller on Tiller Trail Hwy. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Warner Mountain: East of Oakridge on Hwy 58. Reserve on recreation.gov.

Idaho rentals

• Arid Peak: North of Avery on St. Joe River Road. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Bald Mountain: West of Harvard on Hwy 6. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Deadwood: East of Garden Valley on Hwy 55. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Deer Ridge: North of Moyie Springs on Hwy 2. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Little Guard: North of Kingston on I-90. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Lunch Peak: East of Sandpoint on Hwy 200. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Shorty Peak: West of Porthill on Hwy 1. Reserve on recreation.gov.
• Surveyors: East of Avery on St. Joe River Road. Reserve on recreation.gov.