How to Rent a Fire Lookout in Washington State
Washington state is full of gorgeous evergreen forests, immense mountains and breathtaking vistas. Nowhere is the view more beautiful than from a fire lookout. Luckily for everyone, many fire lookouts are available to rent overnight. Here we will show you how you can find and rent a fire lookout for your next outdoor adventure in the state of Washington.
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Instructions
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Plan ahead. Fire lookouts and guard stations are extremely popular, and it is advisable to reserve your rental as far ahead of time as possible. If you can, plan to go on a weekday, as weekdays are more often available than weekends. Fall and spring (rather than summer) are also good times to go, as the weather can be clear.
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Do your research. There are several kinds of fire lookouts, from small rooms perched on the top of towers, to rustic cabins set at the top of a hill. Some are called guard stations. Almost all of them are located in Western Washington.
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Visit the Washington State Parks website (see Resources below). Here you will find a list of "rustic shelters" for rent, including a fire lookout in Spokane (Eastern Washington), the Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout. You can rent them directly through the links on the website, or call (888) CAMPOUT to make your reservation.
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Visit the Forest Fire Lookout Association website (see Resources below). You will see a list of fire lookouts by state. Scroll down to Washington state to see links to lookouts including the Little Bald Mountain lookout and a list of very remote fire lookouts located in the Northern Cascades.
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Confirm your reservation. If making reservations far in advance (recommended), be sure to double-check on your reservation as the time draws near for your departure. You will want to make sure there have been no unexpected developments...such as wildfires!
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Tips & Warnings
Most of the fire lookouts are quite rustic, so you will need to pack in all of your supplies. Check the weather and pack accordingly.
Make sure friends or family members know where you are. Fire lookouts are usually located in extremely remote places where cell phones do not work in an emergency.
Resources
- Photo Credit Seattle PI
