10 AMAZING Firetower Lookout Hikes in Washington

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Confession. I am always on the look for the most amazing firetower lookout hikes in Washington (and Oregon too). I have an obsessive love with fire towers, can you relate? As soon as you see a lookout perched on top of a mountain, it tends to give that last push to make it to the top. And if I can spend the night in one, it is pure heaven.

When I first began hiking, I would constantly search through blogs and browse AllTrails, eager to add as many lookouts as possible to the list. The “fire tower” bucket list kept expanding.

The list includes my favorite 10 Fire Lookout Hikes in Washington that I have enjoyed the most!

Some history on the Fire Towers on Washington.

Fire lookouts in Washington State emerged in the early 20th century as a response to increasing wildfire risks. The U.S. Forest Service began constructing simple wooden towers to enhance fire detection and response.

The 1930s and 1940s saw a significant expansion, largely driven by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which built many of the iconic lookouts still in use today. These structures featured panoramic windows and were strategically located for optimal visibility.

As technology advanced, reliance on traditional lookouts decreased, but many historic towers remain vital cultural landmarks. Today, we can hike to those left, and as we know, some are converted into rental accommodations, allowing us to spend the night inside a piece of history!

How to Spend the Night in a Fire Tower?

Although this post is on day hikes, you can stay in many of the fire lookouts that are throughout Washington State. Of the 6 on this list, only 2 of them are available for an overnight stay. Park Butte and Mount Pilchuck can host visitors on a first come, first serve basis. This means different things to different people so its important to have a back up in case sharing isn’t an option.

Another route is to reserve a lookout. You can reserve many of the lookout towers on Recreation.gov. Being as popular as they are, you either need to be really on it, reserving at 7am, 6 months in advance or look periodically (more like regularly) for cancellations. Good luck!

Fire Lookout Towers in Washington Today

With 93 fire towers still standing in Washington, it’s quite an extensive list to work through. Check out this impressive post on the lookouts in Washington: https://www.trailchick.com/wa-state-fire-lookouts/

The list of Best Fire Lookout Hikes in Washington

Fire Tower Lookout Hikes in Washington State, Park Butte interior

Park Butte Lookout Trail – #1 Best Fire Tower Lookout Hikes in Washington

This one is at the top of the list of best fire tower hikes in Washington for very good reason. The views, like most Lookout Towers is incredible, yes, BUT Mt.Baker is RIGHT there. You can almost touch it. Indeed unbelievable.

The day I hiked here, it turned out to be foggy with little view in sight. After a while, the clouds began moving at such an incredible pace that it would slip over and around the trees in a way that felt like magic. Mt.Baker would come into sight for 10 minutes than disappear. And at sunset, the entire sky cleared up and it was cloud inversion heaven. You then realize how close Mt.Baker sits to this Fire tower, the view is pretty incredible.

I backpacked up to Park Butte hoping to spend the night in the lookout. This is one that you can spend the night and it is first come first serve. This can mean something different to everyone, so I packed my tent as a backup. In the end I slept in my tent 100 ft down from the lookout. I chose solitude over shelter. The stars shone bright, and the most beautiful sunrise welcomed the morning.

As either a day hike or an overnight, you really cant go wrong with Park Butte!

Park Butte Overview

Tolmie Peak Lookout Trail – #2 Best Fire Tower Lookout Hikes in Washington

Hiking to Tolmie Peak to watch the sunset is an epic Washington experience. And standing on the deck of the lookout tower is just the best. Without question, this is also one of the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park.

At 5.6 miles and 1,541 ft of elevation gain it is a great for all hiking abilities. My kids really enjoyed so much about this hike. There is really something for everyone. Newts and frogs at Eunice Lake for the kids (this provided endless hours on entertainment), mountain views for me and my husband and shade most of the way for everyone.

The view of Mt.Rainier from the lookout is nothing short of majestic making it one of the best fire tower lookout hikes in Washington. I’d say its only downfall is that it’s very popular so if you can swing a weekday, do it.

Tolmie Peak Overview

Mount Fremont Lookout Tower – #3 Amazing Firetower Lookout Hikes in Washington

My kids and I did this as a sunset hike, and it really delivered. The beauty of the sunset hike of course is the golden light. And it just feels cooler and when the sun gets low, the cold mountain air hits you and it’s AHMAZING. The downside to sunset hikes, you get home at midnight. My kids roll with it and are little hiking superstars. This is especially true when we play the Harry Potter audiobook as we hike. We were all hooked at the time. We even acquired a few followers, hiking right behind us so they could listen.

This hike is gorgeous from start to finish with absolutely awesome views all around. The views make up for the crowds. It is a popular hike known for insane sunsets. We went on a weekday, and I was thankful for it.

For me the only negative with kids on this hike is the trail drops off a lot and the trail is made up of rocky scree. I felt I had to constantly keep my eyes on my kids as they aren’t always paying attention. This only occurs in a few sections, so I wasn’t tense the entire hike. Thank goodness. We also saw mountain goats and deer on this hike which is always a treat.

We walked the last mile by headlamp which is always fun. You could see a trail of bobbing headlamps coming down all around. We weren’t the only ones with the idea. I clocked 5.9 miles and 1200 feet of elevation gain.

Mount Fremont Lookout Tower Overview

Mount Pilchuck Trail – #4 Best Firetower Lookout Hikes in Washington

A classic PNW hike, this is probably already on your list. And if isn’t, it should be, its a stunning 5.2 mile hike. (And it is not incredibly long and fairly close to Seattle.) The views come and go as you hike up keeping you going. But the real treat is at the top. And if you can, plan this as a sunset hike. And of course remember your headlamp.

This is one you can sleep in and requires no reservations, its first come first serve. Every time I have been up there I have met someone who was planning to spend the night. Its a popular one!

Mount Pilchuck Overview

  • Location: Mountain Loop Highway
  • Mileage: 5.2 miles out and back
  • Elevation Gain: 2,152 ft of elevation gain
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Best time to Hike: June – October
  • Parking Pass: NW Forest Pass
  • AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/mount-pilchuck-trail

Granite Mountain Trail – #5 Amazing Firetower Lookout Hikes in Washington

If you are looking for a terrific and challenging hike in the fall, this is a stunner! The second half of the hike is COVERED in color. It’s not easy though, climbing 3,700 ft in just over 3 miles. But if you make it to the top you are rewarded by beautiful mountain views all around. This fire tower sits off the I-90 corridor approximately 50 miles outside Seattle making it an easy to get to day hike.

And from the top, the views of the mountains go for miles. And miles.

Granite Mountain Overview

  • Location:
  • Mileage: 7.9 miles out and back
  • Elevation Gain: 3,704 ft of elevation gain
  • Difficulty: HARD
  • Best time to Hike: June – October
  • Parking Pass: NW Forest Pass
  • AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/granite-mountain-trail

Goat Peak Lookout – #7 Amazing Firetower Lookout Hike in Washington

This is a perfect short and sweet fire lookout tower hike located east of Mazama on the eastern side of the North Cascades. Firstly, in the fall, the fire tower is surrounded by larches and overlooks miles of stunning mountain scenery. Um yes please. Its also an an ideal spot to watch the sunset. The combination of golden light, majestic mountains, and (in the Fall, abundant larches )creates an absolutely incredible experience. However, just be sure to pack a headlamp for the descent.

Moreover, the hike is a manageable 3.3 miles with 1,443 feet of elevation gain, making it a great option whether you’re hiking solo or with kids. The views are so impressive that this hike is worth doing at any time of year!

Goat Peak Lookout Overview

Steliko Lookout – #8 Amazing Firetower Lookout Hikes in Washington

I’ve had the pleasure of staying here twice—once solo and once with my family. It’s a fantastic spot for families, especially in the summer, since you can drive right up and park at the lookout. During both visits, I hiked the road in the snow. In fact, when I was there with my kids, it snowed almost the entire time, allowing for lots of sledding and fun in the snow.

Staying here in winter is wonderful because there’s a heater! Yes, a heater—it makes all the difference.

You can book it on recreation.gov.

Heybrook Lookout – #9 Amazing Firetower Hikes in Washington

This might be the most popular one in all of Washington. And for good reason. Easy and beautiful hike, close to Seattle and epic views. And you can even book it for an overnight stay. Beware its a popular one, I have been trying to book it for years now. Sadly to no avail.

Its a great day hike for anyone and everyone and one you can even venture to in the winter.

Heybrook Lookout Overview

Winchester Lookout – #10 Amazing Firetower Hikes in Washington

This one is probably most known for the road. Its a beast. But once you are up there at the parking lot by twin lakes its all behind you. Twin lakes are beautiful and the hike is full of incredible scenery. I mean jaw dropping.

The lookout was taken when I arrived so I pitched my tent about 50 feet away and had the best view around. Just incredible.

When I arrived at the lookout I watched a beautiful couple take photos in their wedding attire. You never know what you will find in the mountains!

Winchester Lookout Overview

What to pack for a stay in a lookout.

Since most fire towers are first come, first serve and don’t necessarily guarantee a spot please pack as you would for any backcountry overnight. Unless of course you have a reservation. Hopefully it is not necessary but better to be prepared!

I hope you find this list helpful and that it inspires you to go check one of these fire towers out!

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1 Comments

  • The Trekking Mama – top 10 hikes in Washington State

    July 5, 2024 at 10:57 am

    […] This is a beautiful hike with incredible unobstructed views of Mt.Baker, the Twin Sisters and the rest of the North Cascades. In fact, it feels as if you can reach out and almost touch Mt.Baker. Its right there! This hike also made my list of 6 Best Fire Tower Lookouts in Washington. […]

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