Wildfires & Watchful Eyes
Looking out over the rolling ridgelines of the Allegheny Mountains in Tucker County, a hundred feet above the ground, you can hear the steel joints of the tower creak as the structure sways in the roaring westerly wind. Even those who never had a fear of heights may find their legs quietly shaking on the way down to solid earth, and wonder how someone might have passed hours up there, scanning the horizon for smoke.
That tower is the Olson Observation Tower on Backbone Mountain, the oldest and tallest surviving fire tower in the Monongahela National Forest. But it is one of nearly a dozen fire towers and historic fire cabins scattered across the high ridges of the Mon Forest and its surrounding state lands, each one a remnant of an era when these mountains were still healing from decades of intensive logging, and when a single undetected fire could undo years of regrowth.
At their peak in the 1930s and 1940s, fire towers covered nearly every prominent ridge in the Appalachians, looking out over a bedrock wasteland left by the raging infernos that necessitated their construction. West Virginia alone may have had nearly 100, but today, after advancements in aerial reconnaissance, most are sadly gone, disassembled, destroyed, or sold. What remains in and around the Mon Forest is one of the finest surviving collections on the East Coast, ranging from a 1940 stone tower hand-built by WWI veterans to a treetop cab you can actually sleep in, and a fire tower reached by steam train.
Some require nothing more than a short walk from a parking lot while others demand a steep climb. A few can be reached on horseback, by bike, or by booking a reservation that opens at midnight exactly one year in advance and sells out within hours. One is even perched atop a small-town fire station, open to visitors during the local festivals.
What they all share is a view worth earning, a story worth knowing, and historic forest towns worth exploring before you leave.
Leave No Trace & Safety
These towers have survived nearly a century of wind, weather, and neglect. A few almost didn’t make it. The ones still standing exist because people fought to preserve them. Please treat them accordingly. The fire lookouts who once lived and worked on these ridges did so to protect the forest below them. The least we can do is leave it the way we found it.
Stay on designated staircases, and never climb beyond posted access points. Do not carve, tag, or mark any surface on or around the towers – it is a crime to remove or damage historic artifacts on public land. Pack out everything you pack in. If a gate or sign indicates a tower is closed, it is closed for a reason, and ignoring it puts both you and the structure at risk.
Forest roads in the Mon can change quickly with weather. Check conditions before you go, let someone know your plans, and carry more water than you think you need. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most of these sites.
Olson Observation Tower
Location:
Backbone Mountain, Tucker County, WV
Elevation:
4,000 ft
Height:
100 ft
Built:
1922; Rebuilt 1963
Trail Length:
Drive Up
Difficulty:
Easy
Best For:
Panoramic Drive-Up Views
Olson Tower History
Backbone Mountain was home to West Virginia’s very first fire tower, erected by the state in 1922 before it was transferred to the newly established Monongahela National Forest. The tower looked out over a changing landscape, as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) crews began planting over a million trees throughout the Cheat District alone. When the original wooden tower deteriorated, it was replaced in 1963 with the current 100-foot steel structure, named in honor of Ernst B. “Pete” Olson, a beloved district fire control assistant. Today, it is the tallest and oldest original-site fire tower in the Mon Forest
How to Get to Olson Tower
You can reach the Tower by hiking the Allegheny Trail, riding your bike up the Canyon Rim Trail Gravel Route, or driving to the Tower via Forest Road 717, a spur off FR 18 off US Route 219 — passable by standard passenger vehicles in dry conditions. Visitors can climb the open stairway to the cab for panoramic views of the Blackwater Backcountry, Otter Creek Wilderness, Canaan Mountain, and the Cheat River watershed. Roads are not plowed in winter.
More to Do in Parsons & Thomas
Thomas and Parsons bookend Backbone Mountain, each less than 30 minutes away. Thomas has become an unexpectedly vibrant small-arts town with excellent craft beer, coffee shops, and live music at the Purple Fiddle, while Parsons serves as the gateway to the Cheat River and the Otter Creek Wilderness (including several beautiful suspension bridges). Big Run Falls, a striking series of waterfalls descending from the Big Run Bog National Scenic Landmark near the Allegheny Trail trailhead, makes for an excellent same-day add-on. It is strongly recommended to park earlier than later on FR 18, as much of the road is not passable. Blackwater Falls State Park, Douglas Falls, and the Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail are all located just 20 minutes north.
Insider Tip: Visit in the Early morning or in the afternoon following summer rains to see ethereal mist and fog rising up from the nearby wetlands and Cheat River valley!
Bickle Knob Observation Tower
Location:
Bickle Knob, Randolph County, WV
Elevation:
4,004 ft
Height:
35 ft
Built:
1933
Trail Length:
0.2 Miles
Difficulty:
Easy
Best For:
Short Family-Friendly Adventures
Bickle Knob Tower History
The first fire tower built in the Monongahela by the CCC in 1933, Bickle Knob is one of the most accessible surviving towers in the Mon Forest, and one of the best introductions to the fire lookout era for first-time visitors. After decommissioning, the original cab was removed and replaced with an open wooden viewing platform providing exceptional views of the Otter Creek Wilderness.
How to Get to Bickle Knob Tower
Driving from Elkins, take Stuart Memorial Drive (Forest Road 91) northeast about 10 miles, past the Mon’s iconic stone gateway, then turn onto FR 91A. Both roads are gravel but passable by standard passenger vehicles. A short 0.1-mile gravel path leads from the small parking area to the tower. You can also ride our Bickle Blackwater or Bemis, Bickle & Big Timber Gravel Bike Routes to reach the tower. Roads are not plowed in winter.
More to Do in Elkins
Elkins, located just 20 minutes away, is a lively trail town with a growing food scene, outdoor outfitters, thrift shops, and art stores, as well as the famous Mountain State Forest Festival each October. Stuart Recreation Area and Bear Heaven Recreation Area are just down FR 91, with picnicking, camping, bouldering, and river access. The town also offers direct access to the Allegheny Highlands Trail, perfect for family-friendly bike adventures. For a full day, pair Bickle Knob with a longer hike along the Otter Creek Trail in the neighboring wilderness area.
Insider Tip: Bickle Knob is the single best “first fire tower” for families or anyone new to the Mon Forest. Short, rewarding, near family-friendly recreation areas, and not too tall, making it a perfect anchor for a day trip out of Elkins.
High Knob Fire Tower
Location:
Pendleton County, WV & Rockingham County, VA
Elevation:
4,107 ft
Height:
20 ft
Built:
1940; Restored 2003
Trail Length:
2.7 Miles
Difficulty:
Moderate to Challenging
Best For:
History and Architecture Fans
High Knob Tower History
Located in George Washington-Jefferson National Forest’s North River Ranger District, High Knob’s fire tower is unlike any other in the region: it is the only stone fire tower on public land east of the Mississippi River, constructed in 1940 from native rock quarried directly from the summit by WWI veterans and CCC crews. The first fire watchman, Gerald Fawley, served 1940–1943 using an Osborne Fire Finder to triangulate smoke locations by telephone. Almost demolished in 1972, the structure was saved by a public preservation campaign. A full restoration was completed in 2003.
How to Get to High Knob Tower
Trailhead parking is located on the south side of US Route 33 near the VA/WV state line along the Pendleton County side. The trail climbs steeply in places over 2.7 miles round-trip with 679 feet of elevation gain. While fairly short, the elevation gain puts this hike at around 1.5 hours. Views from the interior viewing room and catwalk include Spruce Knob, the Eastern Continental Divide, and into the Shenandoah Valley.
More to Do in Franklin
Franklin is the charming county seat of Pendleton County, 20 minutes west of the trailhead. In addition to its charming diners and ice cream, Franklin is a rock-climbing hub with quick access to some of the East Coast’s top climbing destinations, including Seneca Rocks, Nelson Rocks, and the spectacular Smoke Hole Canyon. Positioned near the headwaters of the South Branch of the Potomac River, Franklin is also a great launch point for anglers and kayakers. For families, Brandywine Lake serves as a relaxing place to cool off after a hike!
Spruce Knob Observation Tower
Location:
Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, Pendleton County, WV
Elevation:
4,863 ft (Highest Peak)
Height:
20 ft
Built:
1930s; Replaced 1969
Trail Length:
0.5 Mile Loop
Difficulty:
Easy
Best For:
Family-Friendly Adventures, Stargazing
Spruce Knob Tower History
Spruce Knob’s tower is the outlier in this list; it was never built to watch for fires. Constructed of stone in 1969 as an observation and interpretive platform at the summit of West Virginia’s highest peak, it replaced an earlier wooden fire lookout. The Spruce Knob–Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area surrounding it holds the distinction of being the first National Recreation Area ever established within a National Forest. When the tower was built, the surrounding red spruce trees were young saplings; today they have grown tall enough to partially obstruct views, but the nearby Whispering Spruce Trail offers open overlooks into the valleys on either side of the Eastern Continental Divide.
How to Get to Spruce Knob Tower
Drive via paved Forest Road 112 to FR 104 from either Seneca Rocks or Riverton. A very short walk along the accessible Whispering Spruce Interpretive Trail from the parking area reaches the tower. Vault toilets, picnic tables, and grills are on-site. Roads are not plowed in winter.
More to Do in Seneca Rocks
Seneca Rocks, located 30 minutes away, is arguably the most dramatic landscape in the state. The town of Seneca Rocks has outfitters, climbing guides, and casual dining. Spruce Knob Lake (20 minutes from the summit) offers fishing and a small campground. The nearby Seneca Creek Backcountry (accessible from the same trailhead area as the tower offers dozens of trails. For a full weekend, pair the summit at sunset with a morning at Seneca Rocks.
Insider Tip: Skip the tower for sunset and walk the Whispering Spruce Trail instead. The open western overlook is the best sunset vantage point on the summit, and the wind-flagged spruce trees make for unforgettable photography.
Thorny Mountain Fire Tower
Location:
Seneca State Forest, Pocahontas County, WV
Elevation:
4,000 ft
Height:
100 ft
Built:
1922; 1963
Trail Length:
0.75 Miles, Drive Up
Difficulty:
Moderate
Best For:
Glamping, Stargazing
Thorny Mountain Tower History
Built in the 1920s in the eastern section of Seneca State Forest — West Virginia’s oldest state forest, established in 1915 — the tower was relocated and rebuilt by CCC crews in 1935 to improve fire coverage of the Greenbrier River valley. It served fire watchmen for over 50 years before aerial surveillance made it obsolete in 1988. After years of deterioration and a six-year refurbishment effort, it reopened in 2015 as a bookable overnight rental renowned for its stargazing opportunities. The tower originally stood on nearby Michael Mountain before its relocation.
How to Get to Thorny Mountain Tower
To visit the tower on foot, hike the steep 0.75-mile trail from the Seneca Lake parking area, or build a longer loop for an easier ascent using the Thorny Creek Trail. To reach the tower by bike, check out our Seneca State Forest Gravel Bike Route. For overnight accommodations, access via the Seneca State Forest internal loop road off WV Route 28 (take the second entrance). 4WD is recommended, but standard vehicles can manage in dry conditions. The tower is at the end of the road, a short walk from the parking area.
More to Do in Marlinton
Located 20 minutes south, Marlinton is a cute river town on the 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail, complete with outfitters, ice cream, and waterfront dining, making it perfect for family-friendly cycling, fishing, and paddling experiences. The nearby Watoga, Droop Mountain, and Beartown State Parks offer dozens of easy hiking trails and campsite locations. Durbin, located 30 minutes north at the river’s headwaters, is the home of the remote West Fork Rail Trail, which winds through the forgotten ghost towns of the region’s railroad boom.
Insider Tip: Set a reminder for midnight on the first of the month, exactly one year before your target date. That is the only realistic way to get a reservation.
Whittaker Station Fire Tower
Location:
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Pocahontas County, WV
Elevation:
3,272 ft
Height:
50 ft
Built:
1926. Moved 2009
Trail Length:
Railroad Access
Difficulty:
Easy
Best For:
Connection to Railroad
Whittaker Tower History
Whittaker Station, located four miles north of Cass on the Cass Scenic Railroad, began as a logging camp for the immigrant laborers who built the railroad in the early 1900s. Today it hosts Whittaker Camp No. 1, a recreated logging camp maintained by the Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association. The lookout tower there however isn’t original to the site. Formerly the Gauley Mountain fire tower in Fayette County, the tower was later relocated to Whittaker Station, where it now stands as an interpretive destination for train visitors.
How to Get to Whittaker Tower
Whittaker Station has no public road access, which is precisely what makes it so special. To visit this tower you’ll need to hop aboard a historic steam engine at Cass Scenic Railroad. The train climbs 8 steep miles to the summit overlook.
More to Do in Durbin
The town of Cass is a remarkable living relic, an intact company lumber town now operated as a state park, with historic company houses available as overnight rentals. Durbin, just 25 minutes north, is situated in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest, with dozens of backcountry hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as some of the best fishing in the state. The Green Bank Observatory, home of the world’s largest steerable radio telescope, is also right around the corner, with several trails to explore (just make sure you turn off your electronic devices!)
Bald Knob Fire Tower
Location:
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Pocahontas County, WV
Elevation:
4,843 ft (Third Highest Peak)
Height:
47 ft
Built:
1930s
Trail Length:
Varies by Access
Difficulty:
Varies by Access
Best For:
Connection to Railroad, Remote Overnight
Bald Knob Tower History
Bald Knob was built in the early 1930s when this land was owned by Mower Lumber Company, one of the logging operations that stripped the Appalachian highlands during the timber boom. The company also lends its name to one of the most popular trail systems in the region, Mower Basin. After years of deferred maintenance, the adjacent ranger cabin was restored by Autumn Breeze Stables and West Virginia State Parks to serve visitors and overnight guests. The surrounding second-growth forest eventually grew tall enough to partially block views, but the summit itself remains one of the most dramatic in the state, with some of the darkest night skies on the entire East Coast.
How to Get to Bald Knob Tower
Bald Knob has no public road access, but there are four options to reach the tower, varying in difficulty:
- Steam train from Cass Scenic Railroad: the most spectacular and accessible option; the train ascends 11 miles to the summit overlook, approximately 1/4 mile from the tower itself.
- Horseback via Autumn Breeze Stables: 3–4 hour ride from the stables
- Hiking via forest trails: remote and strenuous
- Biking via forest roads: challenging; gated road. Check out our Snowshoe Summits & Lost Signals gravel route for stops at Bald Knob and Snowshoe Tower!
Before heading out, check out this awesome video of a night spent in this remote tower!
More to Do in Snowshoe Area
In addition to the resorts’ skiing and biking downhill and backcountry trails, Snowshoe is a short drive from several Monongahela National Forest trail systems, including the Gauley Base and Tea Creek Backcountry Areas. For shorter day hikes, the Highland Scenic Highway has several great options, including Red Spruce Knob and Black Mountain Trails.
Snowshoe Fire Tower
Location:
Snowshoe Resort, Pocahontas County, WV
Elevation:
4,843 ft (Third Highest Peak)
Height:
47 ft
Built:
1930s
Trail Length:
Varies by Access
Difficulty:
Varies by Access; Moderate
Best For:
Resort Guests, Mountain Bikers
Snowshoe Tower History
Built in 1925, predating the CCC era, this tower stood watch over the Rich Mountain ridgeline near the historic town of Beverly for 74 years. When the USFS decommissioned it, Snowshoe Mountain Resort purchased the structure, dismantled it, and relocated it to Cheat Ridge in 1999. It is a rare example of a historic fire tower preserved through relocation. The tower’s original footprint on Rich Mountain is now a documented former lookout site, and the town of Beverly preserves the history of the broader Rich Mountain area — including the nearby Civil War battlefield where Union and Confederate forces clashed in 1861.
How to Get to Snowshoe Tower
Access is within Snowshoe Mountain Resort’s trail network. Two routes on foot: the 1.5-mile 6,000 Steps Trail gradually ascends the Cheat Mountain Ridgeline from the Soaring Eagle lift, or the steeper Bail Out Trail (shorter, starting at the Lake Trail). Mountain bikers can reach the tower via resort trails. Descend via the Ballhooter ski lift.
More to Do on Cheat Mountain
Beverly, the original home of this tower, is a beautifully preserved frontier town just outside Elkins and the gateway to the Rich Mountain Battlefield. Spend a morning at the battlefield, then drive up to Snowshoe for afternoon trails and a sunset from the tower. Durbin and Marlinton are an hour south and offer excellent access to the Greenbrier River Trail and West Fork Rail Trails.
Cyclists can also ride through the Snowshoe Backcountry to the Mower Basin Trail System, or access along US-250 during the drive down, for 30 miles of singletrack trails.
Red Oak Fire Tower
Location:
Cowen, Webster County, WV
Elevation:
3,704 ft (Third Highest Peak)
Height:
80 ft
Built:
1934
Trail Length:
Varies by Access
Difficulty:
Varies by Access
Best For:
Overnight Rentals, Sweeping Views
Red Oak Tower History
Red Oak Knob hosted a CCC-built wooden tower beginning in 1934; it was replaced in 1964 with the current 80-foot steel structure, making it the most recently constructed fire tower in the Mon Forest. Along with Olson Tower, it is one of only two federal fire towers in the Mon Forest that remain intact at their original locations. After decades of closure, AmeriCorps restoration crews have replaced the roof, floor, and windows, and installed lightning protection and lighting. The tower will open for overnight rental in 2026. When open, it will include beds and electric lights in the cab, plus an RV pad with hookup at the base.
How to Get to Red Oak Tower
The Red Oak Tower is located approximately 12 miles from Cowen and 15 miles from Richwood, WV. From Cowen, go east on State Route 46 to Forest Road 101. Follow Forest Road 101 for 5 miles to the site. From Richwood, travel east on State Route 39/55 to Forest Road 76, travel for 6 miles north to Forest Road 81. Follow Forest Road 81 for 6 miles to Forest Road 101. Visitors can also park at the nearby Bishops Knob Recreation Area and Campground and hike or ride up the road to the tower.
More to Do in Cowen
The town of Cowen offers dozens of incredible fishing spots, from the crystal-clear headwaters of the Williams and Gauley Rivers to relaxing lakeside spots at the Big Ditch Wildlife Management Area and B&O pond, located right in the downtown. Nearby, hikers and cyclists can explore the Cowen Bike Park or venture into the Cranberry and Tea Creek Backcountry Areas. To the north sits Holly River State Park, with dozens of hiking trails and several stunning waterfalls next to cool swimming holes.
Mikes Knob Fire Tower
Location:
Richwood, Nicholas County, WV
Elevation:
2,200 ft
Height:
30 ft
Built:
1941
Trail Length:
None
Difficulty:
None
Best For:
Festival Views
Mikes Knob Tower History
When the USFS auctioned off the Mikes Knob tower in 1980, a local man named John Greer bought it for $534, disassembled it piece by piece, and rebuilt it at the Richwood Volunteer Fire Department as a training structure. It stood there for decades until a 2022 grant-funded restoration gave it new life. The original Mikes Knob site is now a remote, undeveloped former lookout site in the Cranberry Backcountry area.
How to Get to Mikes Knob Tower
The Mikes Knob Fire Tower is located in Downtown Richwood at the Volunteer Fire Department building. It is often open to the public to climb during community events, including the Richwood Art Walk and Cherry River Festival. Be sure to stop by Richwood’s Mill Whistle Heritage Center on Main Street afterwards for a “I Climbed Mikes Knob Tower” sticker!
More to Do in Richwood
Richwood is one of the most underrated towns in the Mon Forest — a former lumber boomtown with a thriving arts scene, excellent hiking access in the Cranberry Backcountry and Williams River Areas, and the Cherry River Festival each summer. The Cranberry Glades Botanical Area is one of the southernmost natural bogs in the eastern U.S. and, with several trails ranging from a 0.5-mile ADA-accessible boardwalk to a 7-mile cowpasture loop, is worth a visit any time of year. Richwood is also right next door to the Falls of Hills Creek National Scenic Area, whose short trail offers amazing views of three of the state’s highest waterfalls.
More Lookout Adventures in the Mon
On the hunt for more overlooks? Check out additional observation towers at these locations!
- Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park – Droop Mountain Lookout Tower, Overlook Trail [Easy, Drive Up] (Marlinton & White Sulphur Springs, WV Area)
- Watoga State Park – Ann Bailey Lookout Tower, Ann Bailey Trail [Moderate] (Marlinton & White Sulphur Springs, WV Area)
- Cranberry Glades Botanical Area – Glades Overlook Tower, Cowpasture Trail [Moderate] (Marlinton & Richwood, WV Area)
- Kumbrabow State Forest – Kumbrabow Lookout Tower, Potato Hole Trail [Moderate] (Elkins, WV Area)
- Lost River State Park – Cranny Crow Overlook, White Oak Trail [Moderate] (Petersburg & Moorefield, WV Area)
Looking for more fire tower history and hikes in the Monongahela National Forest? Check out our guide to 5 Former Fire Tower Hikes in the Mon!
