National Forest Association Fire Lookouts

Fire Lookouts
Majestic views, solitude, quiet, heroic vigilance—the seven fire lookouts of the San Bernardino National Forest capture a romantic part of California’s past. In the 1970s, when new fire spotting technology made them obsolete, they fell into disrepair.

Today, through the help of the National Forest Association, the lookouts once again serve the forest. More than 300 Fire Lookout Hosts give more than 9,000 hours each year from May through October to educate visitors about the history of the lookouts, the ecology of the forest, spot fires, and keep the lookouts a vibrant part of the forest.

To support the restoration of these historic lookouts, the Volunteer Lookout Hosts have compiled an outstanding cookbook. The cookbook is avaiable at all Adventure Outposts fo $16.95, or by phone, 909 382-2626 (shipping extra).

Spend the night in a Lookout!
Morton Peak can be reserved for overnight use from mid-April to mid-November. It is the only overnight public use lookout in Southern California.

Adopt-A-Lookout
What happens if you fall in love with a lookout itself? Our Adopt-A-Lookout program gets your
name on the door—or close to it.

Fire History from 1900 to 1990
Small Movie | Large Movie

Lookout WebCams
Looking at Cucamonga Peak from Red Mountain Camera
Looking at San Jacinto Peak from Red Mountain Camera

Lookout Newsletters and Updates

August Angeles Forest Newsletter (PDF) August Fire Lookout Host Update (PDF)

New Volunteer Letter (PDF) 2007 Reconnect Letter (PDF)

Fire Lookouts
Strawberry Peak—located off Highway 18 near the community of Rim Forest was constructed in 1933. Views from this lookout are of the desert communities to the north,
Lake Arrowhead/Butler Peak/Keller Peak to the east, Cleveland National Forest/Catalina Island to the south, and Mt Baldy/Los Angeles to the west.
Keller Peak—The peak is located three miles east of Running Springs at elevation 7882 ft (2317 m). It has a fire lookout, cliffs and a meadow adjacent.
Butler Peak—somewhat isolated to the north of Snow Valley, this site does not have electricity or land line phones. High clearance vehicles are recommended for driving on the trails to this beautiful lookout.
Black Mountain —Is north of Idyllwild off of Highway 243, in the San Jacinto Mountains, and has views of San Gorgonio, Banning, San Jacinto range, and the Palomar range.
Red Mountain—Is located in the San Jacinto Mountains south of Idyllwild nearby the community of Anza. Although lower in elevation than some of the other lookouts, it has a wide range of views including Mount Palomar, San Diego Peak, and the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains.
Tahquitz Peak—In the San Jacinto Mountains is the most remote of all the publicly open lookouts. It is a 4.5-mile hike in the wilderness area and has some of the best vistas of any lookout.
Morton Peak-— Morton Peak Lookout is located off Hwy 38, overlooking the cities of Yucaipa and Mentone.
Though it is one of the lowest lookouts (elevation 4624 feet), it has spectacular views of Mill Creek leading up to Forest Falls as well as surrounding views of Mt. Palomar, Keller Meadows, Keller Cliffs, and the San Bernardino Valley. On clear days you can see downtown LA.


	HOME Fire Lookouts Majestic views, solitude, quiet, heroic vigilance—the seven fire lookouts of the San Bernardino National Forest capture a romantic part of California’s past. In the 1970s, when new fire spotting technology made them obsolete, they fell into disrepair. Today, through the help of the National Forest Association, the lookouts once again serve the forest. More than 300 Fire Lookout Hosts give more than 9,000 hours each year from May through October to educate visitors about the history of the lookouts, the ecology of the forest, spot fires, and keep the lookouts a vibrant part of the forest. To support the restoration of these historic lookouts, the Volunteer Lookout Hosts have compiled an outstanding cookbook. The cookbook is avaiable at all Adventure Outposts fo $16.95, or by phone, 909 382-2626 (shipping extra). Spend the night in a Lookout! Morton Peak can be reserved for overnight use from mid-April to mid-November. It is the only overnight public use lookout in Southern California. Adopt-A-Lookout What happens if you fall in love with a lookout itself? Our Adopt-A-Lookout program gets your name on the door—or close to it. Fire History from 1900 to 1990 Small Movie \| Large Movie Lookout WebCams Looking at Cucamonga Peak from Red Mountain Camera Looking at San Jacinto Peak from Red Mountain Camera Lookout Newsletters and Updates August Angeles Forest Newsletter (PDF) August Fire Lookout Host Update (PDF) New Volunteer Letter (PDF) 2007 Reconnect Letter (PDF) Fire Lookouts Strawberry Peak—located off Highway 18 near the community of Rim Forest was constructed in 1933. Views from this lookout are of the desert communities to the north, Lake Arrowhead/Butler Peak/Keller Peak to the east, Cleveland National Forest/Catalina Island to the south, and Mt Baldy/Los Angeles to the west. Keller Peak—The peak is located three miles east of Running Springs at elevation 7882 ft (2317 m). It has a fire lookout, cliffs and a meadow adjacent. Butler Peak—somewhat isolated to the north of Snow Valley, this site does not have electricity or land line phones. High clearance vehicles are recommended for driving on the trails to this beautiful lookout. Black Mountain —Is north of Idyllwild off of Highway 243, in the San Jacinto Mountains, and has views of San Gorgonio, Banning, San Jacinto range, and the Palomar range. Red Mountain—Is located in the San Jacinto Mountains south of Idyllwild nearby the community of Anza. Although lower in elevation than some of the other lookouts, it has a wide range of views including Mount Palomar, San Diego Peak, and the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains. Tahquitz Peak—In the San Jacinto Mountains is the most remote of all the publicly open lookouts. It is a 4.5-mile hike in the wilderness area and has some of the best vistas of any lookout. Morton Peak-— Morton Peak Lookout is located off Hwy 38, overlooking the cities of Yucaipa and Mentone. Though it is one of the lowest lookouts (elevation 4624 feet), it has spectacular views of Mill Creek leading up to Forest Falls as well as surrounding views of Mt. Palomar, Keller Meadows, Keller Cliffs, and the San Bernardino Valley. On clear days you can see downtown LA.