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Fire Lookouts to Photograph in the USA

276 fire lookouts in 36 states, each with computed light, night-sky and weather data for planning. Pick a state, or start with the most documented locations below.

Top fire lookouts

Big Springs Lookout TowerFire Lookout
Big Springs Lookout TowerCoconino County, AZ
Ute Mountain Fire TowerFire Lookout
Ute Mountain Fire TowerDaggett County, UT
Winchester Mountain LookoutFire Lookout
Winchester Mountain LookoutWhatcom County, WA
Ishpeming Fire TowerFire Lookout
Ishpeming Fire TowerKeweenaw County, MI
Hornet LookoutFire Lookout
Hornet LookoutFlathead County, MT
New Feldtmann Fire TowerFire Lookout
New Feldtmann Fire TowerKeweenaw County, MI
Apgar Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Apgar Fire LookoutFlathead County, MT
Arctic Point Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Arctic Point Fire LookoutIdaho County, ID
Copper Mountain Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Copper Mountain Fire LookoutWhatcom County, WA
Crane Flat Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Crane Flat Fire LookoutMariposa County, CA
Devil's Head LookoutFire Lookout
Devil's Head LookoutDouglas County, CO
Dodger Point Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Dodger Point Fire LookoutClallam County, WA
Gobbler's Knob Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Gobbler's Knob Fire LookoutPierce County, WA
Harlem Fire WatchtowerFire Lookout
Harlem Fire WatchtowerNew York County, NY
Heaven's Peak Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Heaven's Peak Fire LookoutFlathead County, MT
Henness Ridge Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Henness Ridge Fire LookoutMariposa County, CA
Huckleberry Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Huckleberry Fire LookoutFlathead County, MT
Hunter Mountain Fire TowerFire Lookout
Hunter Mountain Fire TowerGreene County, NY
Loneman Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Loneman Fire LookoutFlathead County, MT
Mount Brown Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Mount Brown Fire LookoutFlathead County, MT
Mountain Fire Lookout TowerFire Lookout
Mountain Fire Lookout TowerOconto County, WI
Mt. Beacon Fire Observation TowerFire Lookout
Mt. Beacon Fire Observation TowerPutnam County, NY
Mount Fremont Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Mount Fremont Fire LookoutPierce County, WA
Numa Ridge Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Numa Ridge Fire LookoutFlathead County, MT

By state

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How to photograph fire lookouts

Lookouts are built for 360° views, so sunrise and sunset are both options — use the azimuths to decide which view you want.

  • Some lookouts can be rented overnight through recreation.gov, which puts you on site for both sunset and sunrise.
  • Shoot the tower itself against the Milky Way or star trails on clear, moonless nights.
  • Haze from wildfire smoke can turn the sun deep red but reduce visibility; check air quality.
  • Access roads may be rough or seasonal.

Season: Summer and early autumn; many towers are staffed only during fire season.