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Fire Lookouts in New York

7 fire lookouts in New York with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. New York County has the most (1). The darkest skies are at Number Four Fire Tower (Bortle 2).

Top fire lookouts

Harlem Fire WatchtowerFire Lookout
Harlem Fire WatchtowerNew York County
Hunter Mountain Fire TowerFire Lookout
Hunter Mountain Fire TowerGreene County
Mt. Beacon Fire Observation TowerFire Lookout
Mt. Beacon Fire Observation TowerPutnam County
Dickinson Hill Fire TowerFire Lookout
Dickinson Hill Fire TowerRensselaer County
Rock Rift Fire Observation TowerFire Lookout
Rock Rift Fire Observation TowerDelaware County
Fire Lookout
Number Four Fire TowerLewis County
Stissing Mountain Fire TowerFire Lookout
Stissing Mountain Fire TowerDutchess County

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.