Sponsored by Okanogan Country: With stunning scenery and endless opportunities for recreation, Okanogan Country is a must-visit destination. Come explore the largest county in Washington State and see why it’s one of the most popular Pacific Northwest destinations.
Throughout North Central Washington, the Okanogan’s captivating landscape is shaped by years of fires and regrowth. Fire lookout towers scattered throughout the region offer sweeping views and local history. Built primarily in the early 1900s, fire lookout towers were erected on peaks high enough to offer clear views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. During fire season, lookout staff would hike to and live in these towers, scanning the area for lightning strikes, smoke plumes, and other signs of natural disasters or fires.
Today, many of these towers still stand, and Okanogan County boasts the highest number of remaining towers in Washington State. Take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy a day hike or plan a week-long adventure to visit multiple towers.
Okanogan Fire Lookout Towers
Methow Valley Lookouts
Goat Peak Lookout, located in the charming Methow Valley, is a must-see fire lookout tower in Washington. This tower is famous for its stunning golden larches in the fall. The Forest Service’s “Lightning Bill” Austin spent 19 years at this tower before moving to Leecher Mountain in 2015.
Near Twisp, Lookout Mountain holds the record for the highest number of first fire reports in the Methow Valley. A short but sometimes steep climb provides sweeping views that take in the full breadth of the North Cascades, starting with Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan and continuing to Eldorado Peak. The road to the trailhead typically closes from late fall to spring, so time your visit for the summer season for easier access.
Central Okanogan Lookout Towers
Mount Leecher, home to a 100-year-old tree-top crow’s nest, is another fire tower lookout worth a visit. This structure was moved from Chiliwist Butte in 1954 before being restored in 2009. It narrowly escaped the Carlton Complex Fire of 2014. From the trailhead, it’s a pleasant walk without much elevation gain.
“The walk to the summit is classic Okanogan. Big valley views, cotton candy painted skies, enormous ponderosa pine, elegant Douglas fir, and dry grass fescue & shrub,” says Christine Estrada, a fire lookout.
Northern Okanogan Lookout Towers
Northern Okanogan County is also home to more great fire lookout towers to explore. Located west of Tonasket, Aeneas Mountain overlooks the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area from an elevation of 5,167 feet. It’s easy to access, with the road leading 5.5 miles up the north side and a 0.5-mile walk along the ridgeline to the 1980-style cab.
East of the Okanogan River, Mount Bonaparte is the third-highest peak in the state. This trail welcomes hikers, equestrians, and ORVs alike to a trail that climbs from Bonaparte Lake to the actively staffed Bonaparte Lookout. Bonaparte’s fire lookout also has a historical cabin built in 1914. A good time to do this hike is in the fall when the tamarack trees turn a beautiful golden yellow.
For more fire lookout history, head to the Molson Museum to see the historic Franson Peak Cab. When the current structure was built in 1986, the 1950s cab was relocated to the museum. Located in the Okanogan Highlands, the remote ghost town of Molson, east of Oroville, offers both indoor and outdoor museums.
Also See: Discover Washington’s Ghost Towns
Get a Fire-Shaped Landscape Map
Okanogan Country’s Fire Shaped Landscape Map is available for free online and shows the locations of all local fire lookout towers, as well as the landscapes of wildfires, color-coded by year. Explore the historic structures and the stunning landscapes of Okanogan Country and experience the beauty and history of this unique region.
The fire lookout towers in Okanogan Country are must-visit destinations for anyone who loves hiking, camping, or just appreciating the beauty of the great outdoors.