Mount Washburn Fire Lookout

Perched at 10,243 feet on Mount Washburn’s summit, this active fire lookout serves as both working facility and visitor center in Yellowstone National Park. The modern structure replaced earlier towers and houses interpretive exhibits about fire management, wildlife spotting scopes, and panoramic windows overlooking the Yellowstone caldera. Rangers are often present during summer to answer questions and help visitors spot wildlife across the vast landscape below.

Access requires a 6.2-mile round-trip hike from the Dunraven Pass trailhead, gaining 1,400 feet of elevation through subalpine meadows. The trail is an old service road, making for easy walking but steady climbing. Snow typically blocks access until late June, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. Restrooms available at the lookout, but bring water and layers for rapidly changing mountain weather.

Yellowstone's working fire lookout and visitor center