12 Amazing Vermont Fire Towers To Check Out
Vermont is home to countless beautiful mountains and over a dozen of them have fire towers sitting at their summits. Fire towers were first built to provide housing and protection for people known as “fire lookouts” who had the job of watching for wildfires in the wilderness. Fire towers really gianed popularity in the early 1900s and at the time fires were reported using telephones, carrier pigeons, and heliographers.
Despite the fact that many fire lookout towers have fallen into disrepair due to neglect, abandonment, and shrinking budgets, some fire service personnel have made an effort to save older fire towers. They argue that having a good set of human eyes watching the forest for wildfires can be an effective and inexpensive fire safety measure. This blog post showcases 12 Vermont fire towers that are currently standing and can be hiked to!
Each of the Vermont fire towers varies in height, age, and trail length. If you end up visiting one of these fire towers, please share to the news feed!
Bald Mountain Fire Tower
- Mountain: Bald Mountain
- Town: Westmore, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 44°45’58.1″N 71°59’18.2″W
Bald Mountain is the Northeast Kingdom’s third highest peak at 3,315 feet. Its summit is complete with an old fire tower that offers spectacular views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. The summit of Bald Mountain can be accessed by three hiking trails: the Telegraph Trail, the Mad Brook Trail, and the Long Pond Trail, although the Telegraph is seldom used and is in disrepair. Don’t miss out on seeing this beautiful Vermont fire tower!
Belvidere Mountain Fire Tower
- Mountain: Belvidere Mountain
- Town: Eden, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 44°46’23.7″N 72°33’03.5″W
Belvidere Mountain, in Eden, offers spectacular views from its summit which stands at 3,346 feet. But, if you are searching for the perfect view, head up the 50-foot tall Belvidere Mountain Fire Tower. From the top, visitors are greeted with an incredible vista, including the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the Adirondacks in New York, and the higher summits in the Green Mountains.
Elmore Mountain Fire Tower
- Mountain: Elmore Mountain
- Town: Elmore, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 44°31’35.1″N 72°32’45.8″W
Elmore Mountain is a distinct, steep-sided mountain that lies within the park and lies at the northerly end of the Worcester Range. The mountain can be found within Elmore State Park which consists of nearly 1,000 acres. The state park includes the 219 acres Lake Elmore, multiple campsites, beaches, and trails.
The Elmore Mountain Fire Tower Trail will take you to the beautiful Elmore Mountain Fire Tower at the 2,608-foot peak. The hike to the tower/summit is about 1.5 miles (one way) and from the summit, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Elmore lake and beyond!
Gile Mountain Fire Tower
- Mountain: Gile Mountain
- Town: Norwich, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 43°47’20.6″N 72°21’06.0″W
Gile Mountain in Windsor County, Vermont, sits along the border between the towns of Norwich and Sharon; its summit is in Norwich. The mountain rises to a height of 1,873 feet and features a beautiful fire tower. The 360-degree panorama from the top of Gile Mountain’s fire tower is one of the area’s most expansive and accessible views. It is one of the most accessible views considering it only takes an easy 1.4-mile out-and-back hike to reach the tower.
Glastenbury Mountain Fire Tower
- Mountain: Glastenbury Mountain
- Town: Glastenbury, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 42°58’39.5″N 73°04’18.5″W
Glastenbury Mountain is a mountain located in Bennington County, Vermont, in the Green Mountain National Forest. At the top of the 3,747-foot mountain is the Glastenbury Mountain Fire Tower. The fire tower boasts endless views of mountains including the Adirondacks, the Tactonics, and the Berkshires. Don’t miss out on seeing this Vermont fire tower!
Killington Mountain Fire Tower
- Mountain: Killington Mountain
- Town: Killington, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 43°36’16.8″N 72°49’12.2″W
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Monadnock Mountain Fire Tower
- Mountain: Monadnock Mountain
- Town: Lemington, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 44°53’50.6″N 71°32’41.0″W
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Mount Ascutney Fire Tower
- Mountain: Mount Ascutney
- Town: Windsor, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 43°26’39.6″N 72°27’14.8″W
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Mount Olga Fire Lookout Tower
- Mountain: Mount Olga
- Town: Marlboro, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 42°51’02.9″N 72°48’11.5″W
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Okemo Mountain Fire Lookout Tower
- Mountain: Okemo Mountain
- Town: Mount Holly, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 43°24’14.9″N 72°45’06.0″W
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Spruce Mountain Fire Tower
- Mountain: Spruce Mountain
- Town: Plainfield, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 44°14’04.5″N 72°21’18.6″W
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Stratton Mountain Fire Lookout Tower
- Mountain: Stratton Mountain
- Town: Stratton, Vermont
- Trail Link: Here
- Location: Here
- GPS: 43°05’10.4″N 72°55’29.9″W
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