This classic fire lookout tower stands 60 feet tall on Mount Zion’s 6,726-foot summit, offering commanding 360-degree views across Zion National Park, the Pine Valley Mountains, and southern Utah’s sprawling red rock wilderness. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the steel structure remains one of Utah’s most accessible fire towers, reached by a moderate 3.5-mile trail through ponderosa pine and aspen forest.
The trail gains about 1,200 feet elevation and is best hiked May through October when snow clears. No camping allowed at the summit, but dispersed camping is permitted in Dixie National Forest areas below. The tower is locked, but the wraparound catwalk provides spectacular photo opportunities. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer — start early.
Historic CCC tower with commanding red rock views
Place Details
| Type | Fire Lookout |
|---|---|
| Street address | 1314 Lookout Circle, Cedar City, Utah 84720 Get directions → |
| Elevation (ft) | 6726 ft |
| Nearest town | Cedar City, Utah |
| Miles from pavement | 8.5 mi |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Access road surface | Gravel |
| Cell service | Partial |
| Best season | May-October |
| Land manager | USFS |
| Permit required | No |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |