Mount Sterling Fire Tower rises 60 feet above the 5,842-foot summit, providing one of the few remaining accessible fire towers in the Great Smoky Mountains. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the steel structure offers commanding views of the Smokies’ ridgelines, Cataloochee Valley, and on clear days, Mount Mitchell in North Carolina. The tower is no longer staffed but remains open for visitors willing to climb the stairs to its observation deck.
The tower requires a moderate 2.5-mile hike via the Mount Sterling Trail from the Big Creek area, or can be reached by driving the rough Mount Sterling Road (high-clearance vehicles recommended). The road closes seasonally and can be gated depending on conditions. Best visited spring through fall when the access road is typically open and weather conditions are favorable for the expansive mountain views.
Historic CCC fire tower in the Smokies
Place Details
| Type | Fire Lookout |
|---|---|
| Street address | 3998 Cosby Highway, Cosby, Tennessee 37722 Get directions → |
| Elevation (ft) | 5842 ft |
| Nearest town | Cosby, Tennessee |
| Miles from pavement | 12 mi |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Access road surface | Rough dirt |
| Cell service | None |
| Best season | April-October |
| Land manager | NPS |
| Permit required | No |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |