Top fire lookouts
Fire LookoutCrane Flat Fire Lookout
Fire LookoutHenness Ridge Fire Lookout
Fire LookoutMount Harkness Fire Lookout
Fire LookoutChews Ridge Lookout
Fire LookoutProspect Peak Fire Lookout
Fire LookoutMargarita Lookout
Fire LookoutSchonchin Butte Lookout
Fire LookoutBuck Rock Lookout
Fire LookoutCopernicus Peak Lookout Tower
Fire LookoutLittle Tokyo Watchtower
Fire LookoutKeller Peak Lookout
Fire LookoutVetter Mountain Lookout
Fire Lookouts by county
All fire lookouts (22)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crane Flat Fire LookoutYosemite | Mariposa County | — | Yosemite Valley | 3 |
| Henness Ridge Fire LookoutYosemite | Mariposa County | — | Yosemite Valley | 3 |
| Mount Harkness Fire LookoutLassen Volcanic | Plumas County | — | Chester | 2 |
| Chews Ridge Lookout | Monterey County | — | Big Sur | 3 |
| Prospect Peak Fire LookoutLassen Volcanic | Shasta County | — | Chester | 2 |
| Margarita Lookout | San Diego County | — | Bonsall | 6 |
| Schonchin Butte LookoutLava Beds | Siskiyou County | — | Altamont | 1 |
| Buck Rock LookoutSequoia & Kings Canyon | Fresno County | — | Three Rivers | 3 |
| Copernicus Peak Lookout Tower | Santa Clara County | — | East Foothills | 5 |
| Little Tokyo Watchtower | Los Angeles County | — | Los Angeles | 9 |
| Keller Peak Lookout | San Bernardino County | — | Running Springs | 5 |
| Vetter Mountain Lookout | Los Angeles County | — | Altadena | 6 |
| Shuteye Peak Lookout | Madera County | — | Oakhurst | 3 |
| Signal Peak Lookout | Mariposa County | — | Midpines | 3 |
| Timber Mountain Lookout | Modoc County | — | Altamont | 1 |
| Chalone Peak LookoutPinnacles | Monterey County | — | Soledad | 4 |
| Red Mountain Lookout | Placer County | — | Truckee | 3 |
| Delilah Lookout | Fresno County | — | Yokuts Valley | 3 |
| Park Ridge Lookout | Tulare County | — | Yokuts Valley | 3 |
| Sardine Peak Lookout | Sierra County | — | Verdi | 3 |
| Deadwood Peak Lookout | Madera County | — | Oakhurst | 4 |
| Musick Mountain Lookout | Fresno County | — | Auberry | 3 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
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.