Rentals.
There are currently eight fire lookouts in Washington that are available as bookable rentals through various agencies. These lookouts can be very popular and often difficult to reserve. Some of the seasons on these rentals are short but Steliko and Clearwater are typically open year-round.
*It’s debated whether the Hamma Hamma Guard Station actually qualifies as a “lookout” but it was at one point in time used for fire spotting purposes. At any rate, it still makes a marvelous overnight destination.
Heybrook — 1,824′
Glacier Peak/North Stevens Pass
Recently remodeled, Heybrook is available May 1 – October 31 on a 6-month rolling basis. Dates book up fast, good luck!
Evergreen Mountain — 5,587′
Glacier Peak/North Stevens Pass
Evergreen is available for rental between August 18 – September 30. Booking usually begins in early February.
Quartz Mountain — 5,160′
Southwest Selkirks
Available for rental June 15 – September 30 each year.
Steliko Point — 2,586′
Chelan Mountains
A new rental as of late 2019, reservations are available by calling the Entiat Ranger Station, but Steliko is closed for 2020/2021 due to the Covid pandemic.
Tyee— 6,654′
Entiat Mountains
Tyee is one of the most recent additions to Washington’s rentable fire lookouts and was beautifully remodeled by US Forest Service employees and volunteers.
Clearwater — 5,658′
Northern Blue Mountains
The lookout tower is closed to the public but the cabin at the base of the lookout is available for rental year-round.
North Mountain — 3,824′
Mountain Loop Area
North Mountain was beautifully restored by the Friends of North Mountain in cooperation with the US Forest Service and was just placed into a rental program through Airbnb in August 2021.
Lorena Butte — 2,160′
Columbia-Yakima Hills
Privately owned Lorena Butte outside Goldendale is a 2021 addition to lookouts available for rent in Washington State. Contact owners through their Lefever Holbrook Ranch Facebook page for more info.
First come, first served.
Seven fire lookouts in Washington are currently available for first-come, first-served stays. Know that these are all incredibly popular locations and first come, first served also means different things to different people. Some believe that once a lookout is occupied, it is rude to invite yourself in. Others believe that the lookout is open to all and that’s my opinion as well. I’ve had great fortune with solitude at some of these lookouts and I’ve also shared some pretty incredible experiences with others.
I recommend checking your expectations at the trailhead, having an open mind, and never assuming you’ll be able to spend the night or have the lookout all to yourself. Please treat these structures and fellow guests with respect. Leave them better than you found them and consider a donation to the volunteer groups who help maintain these for everyone to enjoy. We have very few fire lookouts open to the public in Washington State. Be the reason we have more, not less.
Note: the status of any of these lookouts could change at any time. Always be prepared with a backup plan and overnight gear in case the lookout is full, locked, damaged, or not available.
Burley Mountain — 5,304′
Mount Adams Area
Burley does seem to be open for overnight stays and many have reported staying the night. There is also ample camping space on the summit.
Mount Pilchuck — 5,340′
Mount Pilchuck State Park
Note: Though many in the lookout community have said Pilchuck is not officially open for overnight stays, the Forest Service website does indicate it is. I was told to ask permission from the Ranger District first.
Three Fingers — 6,850′
Mountain Loop Area
Know that there is absolutely no summit space for camping here if the lookout is full, but there are campsites below the glacier, at Tin Can Gap, and lower down at Goat Flats.
Winchester — 6,510′
Skagit Range
Note: After repeated damage from visitors, Winchester is now closed from November through May or later.
Hidden Lake — 6,890′
Central North Cascades
This one is incredibly popular. Know what you’re getting into if you make a winter ascent. Hidden Lake is surrounded by avalanche terrain and isn’t for the inexperienced.
Park Butte — 5,440′
Skagit Range
Park Butte is a great winter destination, but know what you’re doing. Park Butte has been the location of several avalanche fatalities.
Lookout Mountain — 5,699′
Central North Cascades
Lookout Mountain can be accessed year-round, but again, if you’re making a winter ascent, know what you’re getting into with snow and avalanche conditions. There is a steep avalanche slope below the lookout.