18 Great Fire Lookout Hikes in Washington
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Fire lookout hikes are some of the most fantastic trails in Washington.
Since fire lookouts are intended to have far-reaching views by design, trails to these lookouts lead to particularly great vistas.
As long as it’s a clear day, fire lookouts provide spectacular panoramas of Washington’s mountainous landscape.
Ready to pick a trail? Here are 18 great fire lookout hikes in Washington.
Things to Know About Fire Lookout Hikes in Washington
Before diving into the list of hikes, here are a few things hikers should know to get an overview of Washington’s fire lookouts.
Map of Fire Lookout Hikes
Washington’s fire lookout hikes are generally spread throughout the Cascade Mountains. Here is an interactive map of the fire lookout hikes on this list.
Passes Required
Most of Washington’s fire lookout hikes require some form of pass to park at the trailhead. Here is a quick rundown of those passes.
- Northwest Forest Pass: The Northwest Forest Pass is required in national forests in Washington and Oregon. Daily and annual passes are available at Forest Service offices and select retailers. In a pinch, a day pass can be purchased online and printed.
- National Park Pass: Hikers heading to fire lookouts in Mount Rainier National Park must pay the steep entrance fee to access these trails. North Cascades National Park does not charge an entrance fee. Hikers who plan to visit Mount Rainier and other national parks frequently should consider purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass.
Fire Lookout Rentals
All of the hikes on this list can be completed as a day hike. However, hikers can spend the night in certain fire lookouts.
Washington Trails Association has compiled a list of fire towers in the Pacific Northwest that allow overnight stays. Check out their article for detailed information on which lookouts are reservable versus first-come first-served and how to make a reservation.
18 Fire Lookout Hikes in Washington
1. Red Top Lookout
- Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 350 feet
Red Top Lookout is a great fire lookout hike for beginners who are daunted by the distance or steepness of other fire lookout hikes in Washington.
This fire lookout is in Blewett Pass near Cle Elum, WA.
The quick, straightforward trail makes the 360-degree views at Red Top Lookout easier to access than most panoramas in the state.
From Red Top Lookout, hikers can see mountains both near and far. Teanaway Ridge, Stuart Range, and the Entiat Mountains nearby. Hikers may also be able to see as far away as Mount Rainier and Mount Adams on a clear day.
Hikers can enter the Red Top lookout tower when volunteers are present.
If Red Top Lookout sounds like a good place to hike to, make sure to purchase a Northwest Forest Pass before heading to the trail.
2. Heybrook Lookout
- Distance: 2.6 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 850 feet
For another short hike to a fire lookout, head to Heybrook Lookout.
Heybrook Lookout is near Index, WA along Highway 2, just over an hour from downtown Seattle.
The trail’s short distance and proximity to the city make Heybrook Lookout a good contender for a sunset hike near Seattle. Watch the sun go down from a panoramic viewpoint with minimal time spent hiking and driving home in the dark!
Don’t mistake this for an easy hike just because the trail is short. The trail is somewhat steep, but at least it’s over with relatively quickly.
From the base of the lookout tower, hikers can see a glimpse of the mountains on the other side of Highway 2.
However, even better views are waiting for hikers who are willing to climb up the stairs to the tower. Hikers may be able to spot nearby features including Mount Baring to the southeast, Mount Persis to the southwest, and Bridal Veil Falls flowing down Mount Index.
Heybrook Lookout is one of a handful of Washington’s fire lookout hikes that don’t require a pass. Hikers that want to spend the night in Heybrook Lookout Tower will need to make a reservation ahead of time on recreation.gov.
3. Evergreen Mountain Lookout
- Distance: 2.8 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,425 feet
Evergreen Mountain Lookout is another fire lookout hike along Highway 2.
The trail to Evergreen Mountain Lookout may not leave the best first impression, but it gets much better throughout the hike.
What starts out as a steep ascent up a forest service road transitions into an easier stretch of trail through the forest. Beyond that, the trail opens up to expose beautiful mountain views as hikers walk through alpine meadows along a ridge.
Evergreen Mountain Lookout offers a spectacular panorama of the surrounding Cascade Mountains. Hikers can peer into the Wild Sky Wilderness to the west and the Alpine Lake Wilderness to the south.
Don’t head to Evergreen Mountain Lookout without grabbing a Northwest Forest Pass first.
4. High Rock Lookout
- Distance: 3.2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,365 feet
High Rock Lookout is another great option for a short but steep fire lookout hike.
The steep climb is worth it as it leads to a high point well above the lookout’s surroundings, providing hikers with uninterrupted views. It’s called High Rock for a good reason!
High Rock Lookout is located a bit south of Mount Rainier National Park. This puts it in a position for a prime view of Washington’s iconic volcano.
Consider enjoying the head-on views of Mount Rainier from the lookout’s porch since there are no barriers to protect hikers from the sharp drop offs surrounding the building.
Hikers do not need a pass to take the trail to High Rock Lookout.
5. Kelly Butte Lookout
- Distance: 3.4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,100 feet
Kelly Butte Lookout is north of Mount Rainier National Park.
This fire lookout hike offers a dream combination of a short trail and a wonderful view of Mount Rainier on a clear day. What more could a hiker ask for?
But take note of the road and trail conditions before getting excited for this hike to make sure this trail is right for you.
First, the last six or so miles of road leading to the trailhead are rough. A high clearance vehicle is recommended.
Second, the trail is narrow, exposed, and rocky in places. Take extra caution if you plan to hike with children or pets, and bring plenty of sun protection and water.
The hike to Kelly Butte Lookout is still absolutely worth pursuing for most Washington hikers, though.
One look at Mount Rainier looming over the forested mountains that surround Kelly Butte Lookout will confirm this.
Remember to bring a Northwest Forest Pass to this trail.
6. Steliko Lookout
- Distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,500 feet
Steliko Lookout is about 45 minutes southwest of Chelan, WA in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Although it’s technically possible to drive up to Steliko Lookout, the road conditions make this lookout easier for many hikers to reach by foot.
Steliko Lookout is less popular than other fire lookout hikes in Washington, so hikers may get to soak in the rolling hills of the Chelan and Entiat Mountains without any crowds.
Just keep in mind that Steliko Lookout is reservable, so respect the privacy of people staying in the tower.
7. Mount Pilchuck Lookout
- Distance: 5.4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2,300 feet
Mount Pilchuck is located an hour and a half away from Seattle on Mountain Loop Highway.
The unobstructed views seen from Mount Pilchuck make it a popular fire lookout hike.
Hikers who take on this intermediate trail are rewarded with panoramas of western Washington’s iconic mountains. Check out the view from all sides of the lookout to spot Mount Rainier to the south, Mount Baker to the north, and the Olympic Mountains to the west.
The fire tower at the top of Mount Pilchuck is available for hikers to sleep in on a first-come, first-serve basis. But keep in mind that this trail gets a lot of traffic, so don’t expect any solitude even on weekdays.
Hikers need to obtain a Northwest Forest Pass before heading to Mount Pilchuck.
8. Fremont Lookout
- Distance: 5.6 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
Fremont Lookout is one of several fire lookout hikes in Mount Rainier National Park.
This hike is in the Sunrise area of the park.
Park at the Sunrise Visitor Center and make sure to stock up on water and sun protection before hitting the trail. The entire trail to Fremont Lookout is exposed to the sun.
Start by heading west on the Sourdough Ridge Trail. The Sourdough Ridge Trail connects to several others so keep an eye out for signs pointing to Mount Fremont.
At Fremont lookout, enjoy close-up views of Mount Rainier and surrounding mountains visible for miles.
Hikers will need to pay an entrance fee to get into the park unless they have an America the Beautiful Pass. If paying the entrance fee, make the fee worth the price by checking out additional hikes in Mount Rainier National Park.
9. Tolmie Peak Lookout
- Distance: 7.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,100 feet
Tolmie Peak Lookout is another fire lookout hike in Mount Rainier National Park.
This fire lookout is in the northwest section of the national park.
Tolmie Peak Lookout offers jaw-dropping views – but hikers must be willing and able to navigate a rough road and a long hike to reach these views.
Start by heading to Mowich Lake. The trail begins by following the western shore of the lake and gets increasingly steep as it approaches the lookout tower.
The trail passes the breathtakingly blue Eunice Lake en route to the top. Enjoy a break while admiring the lake, but know that this beauty will be visible again from Tolmie Peak Lookout.
Like other fire lookouts, Tolmie Peak Lookout provides panoramic mountain views. But the scene that makes this trail particularly worthwhile is the landscape to the south.
Soak in the grand view of Mount Rainier with Eunice lake sparkling below it. Take time to appreciate the surrounding scenery, too, before returning to the trailhead.
Hikers will need to pay an entrance fee to get into Mount Rainier National Park unless they have an America the Beautiful Pass.
10. Park Butte Lookout
- Distance: 7.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2,200 feet
For a fire lookout hike with an incredible view of Mount Baker, head to Park Butte.
Park Butte Lookout is just south of Mount Baker in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
It’s not just the view from the lookout that makes this a fantastic fire lookout hike. The trail offers hikers an invigorating dose of nature as it passes streams, evergreens, and alpine meadows.
The lookout itself is surrounded by the beauty of the North Cascades.
The entire experience makes the trail to Park Butte Lookout one of the most popular hikes near Mount Baker.
Park Butte Lookout is available for overnight camping on a first-come, first-serve basis. But once again, this trail gets busy, so don’t expect solitude if you’re lucky enough to snag this spot.
Remember to pack a Northwest Forest Pass for the hike to Park Butte Lookout.
11. Hidden Lake Lookout
- Distance: 8 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 3,300 feet
The popular trail to Hidden Lake is in North Cascades National Park.
Hidden Lake is not just one of the best lake hikes in Washington, but one of the overall top-rated hikes in the entire state.
Hidden Lake is just one small part of the phenomenal view that awaits hikers up at the lakeside fire lookout.
The trail meanders through forest, open meadows with wildflowers, and all the way up to not just Hidden Lake but 360-degree views of surrounding peaks.
These views don’t come easily, though. The trail is moderately strenuous and often still has snow well into summer.
To get to the trailhead, turn off Cascade River Road at the steep dirt road that points to Hidden Lake Trail.
This dirt road, which is steep in sections and is filled with huge potholes, runs for four miles before reaching the Hidden Lake trailhead. While a high clearance vehicle is ideal, daring drivers have made the trip in vehicles like a Prius.
North Cascades National Park does not charge an entrance fee so no pass is required to hike to Hidden Lake. However, hikers who aren’t lucky enough to snag the first-come first-serve fire lookout will need a backcountry permit to camp elsewhere in the area.
12. Tyee Lookout
- Distance: 8.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2,160 feet
Like Steliko Lookout, Tyee Lookout is a lookout in the Central Cascades that can technically be driven to.
However, the road leading to Tyee Lookout is so difficult to drive on that this fire lookout is better reached by hiking to it.
Simply park where the paved road ends and Forest Service Road 5713 begins.
The trail cuts through a dry, grassy region that previously experienced a fire. Although this may not sound as pleasant as hiking through the greener areas surrounding fire lookouts in western Washington, the wide-open views of the surrounding mountains are still worth it.
A pass is not required to hike to Tyee Lookout. Hikers who want to spend the night in the lookout do need to secure a reservation in advance, though.
13. Shriner Peak Lookout
- Distance: 8.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 3,434 feet
The trail to Shriner Peak is an ideal fire lookout hike to take in the fall.
This arduous trail has stretches that are exposed and dusty, so the cooler temperatures of autumn create more welcoming conditions for hikers. Just don’t wait too far into the season when snow begins to accumulate at these higher elevations.
Shriner Peak is near the southeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park. This puts Shriner Peak in a prime spot for hikers to take in uninterrupted views of Washington’s famous peaks like Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens.
Not only does the hike to the fire lookout provide outstanding views, but the trail is easier to access than other fire lookout hikes. No pass is required and the trailhead starts along a paved highway.
Any hiker who is physically up to the challenge of reaching Shriner Peak Lookout should absolutely take on this fire lookout hike.
14. Granite Mountain Lookout
- Distance: 8.6 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 3,800 feet
Granite Mountain is a popular fire lookout hike near Snoqualmie Pass.
But just because the trail is popular does not mean it’s easy. This forested trail is very steep and rocky.
Most importantly, the trail passes through an avalanche chute. Avoid hiking to Granite Mountain Lookout from winter through early spring and save this hike for a safer time.
Hikers who patiently wait to hike Granite Mountain in the summer will be rewarded with fantastic views of the Cascade Mountains surrounding the fire lookout on all sides.
The trail to Granite Mountain Lookout starts at the trailhead for Pratt Lake. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park here.
15. Desolation Peak Lookout
- Distance: 9.4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 4,400 ft
Desolation Peak Lookout is one of Washington’s famous fire lookouts. Yet many hikers have not visited this lookout because it is more involved to access than other lookouts are.
Desolation Peak Lookout is well-known because Jack Kerouac stayed here as a lookout. Unfortunately the lookout building itself is not accessible to the public, but the awesome views still make the trek worthwhile.
This fire lookout is in northern Washington just east of Ross Lake.
To make this a day hike, hikers must take Ross Lake Resort’s water taxi to the trailhead. Alternatively, hikers can embark on a multi-day, 46-mile hike using the East Bank Trail.
The trail passes through forest until it reaches the smaller flora that is typical of subalpine ecosystems. Here, hikers exchange tree cover for scenic vistas.
From Desolation Peak Lookout, hikers are treated to epic views of the North Cascades, Ross Lake, and Canadian mountains.
16. Lookout Mountain Lookout
- Distance: 9.4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 4,500 feet
The aptly-named Lookout Mountain Lookout is in North Cascades National Park.
This is one of many scenic trails along Cascade River Road but with a fraction of the crowds at more popular choices like Cascade Pass and Hidden Lake. Of course, the hike to Lookout Mountain is also more difficult than these other trails.
The trail to Lookout Mountain Lookout is easy to access. The trailhead is right off of Cascade River Road in the beginning stretch of the road that is still paved.
Hikers who tackle the strenuous climb to this fire lookout can bask in the beauty of the North Cascades’ giant peaks.
North Cascades National Park does not charge an entrance fee so no pass is required to hike to Lookout Mountain
17. Alpine Lookout
- Distance: 10 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2,600 feet
The trail to Alpine Lookout is off of Highway 2 near Lake Wenatchee.
Alpine Lookout is a good choice for hikers seeking a longer trail than the other fire lookout hikes along Highway 2 (Heybrook Lookout and Evergreen Mountain).
Like other fire tower hikes, this popular trail climbs steeply through the forest before emerging to awesome views as the remainder of the trail follows a ridgeline.
Along the trail and at Alpine Lookout, hikers can appreciate views of beautiful Washington landmarks like the Enchantments and Lake Wenatchee.
Grab a Northwest Forest Pass before heading out to Alpine Lookout.
18. Gobblers Knob Lookout
- Distance: 11 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2,565 feet
Gobblers Knob Lookout is another fire lookout hike in Mount Rainier National Park.
This lookout is in the southwest corner of the national park near the park’s Nisqually entrance.
The downside of this hike is that the majority of the trail is walking along a gravel road just to get to the actual trailhead.
But hikers who are ok with these trail conditions will experience spectacular views of this beautiful region.
Park at the Westside Road closure and walk nearly four miles to the Lake George trailhead.
Phenomenal views await hikers at Gobblers Knob Lookout. Appreciate the front row view of Mount Rainier before spying other landmarks like Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and Oregon’s Mount Hood.
Hikers will need to pay an entrance fee to get into Mount Rainier National Park unless they have an America the Beautiful Pass.
Looking for more trails in Washington? Check out these related articles:
- 17 Best Easy Hikes In Washington State (According To A Local)
- 15 Spectacular Lake Hikes Near Seattle (For All Skill Levels)
- 9 Beautiful Waterfall Hikes In Washington
- 6 Spectacular Sunrise & Sunset Hikes Near Seattle
- 5 Must-Do Hikes In North Bend (Easy To Hard)
- 8 Fantastic Hikes On Orcas Island: A First-Timer’s Guide
As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.
