Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout Tower
Perched atop a forested mountain, Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout Tower offers visitors a unique lodging experience in Medicine Bow National Forest in southcentral Wyoming. The original fire lookout was constructed during the summer of 1938 by workers employed through the New Deal's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). After thirty years of use, it was replaced with a taller, more structurally sound tower. The new 55-foot tall tower was used as a fire lookout until the 1990s when it was renovated and opened to the public for overnight rental in 1997. The lookout is typically open from June through September. Guests can drive directly to the lookout most of the season.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 2 / 4 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
The lookout cabin is furnished with two single beds with mattresses and can accommodate up to two guests. Inside amenities include a table with chairs, cookware, dishes, utensils, cleaning supplies, a propane heater, propane cook stove and oven, and propane lights. An outhouse with pit toilet is provided, and a campfire ring is located at the base of the lookout. Firewood can be gathered from the surrounding area. Additional camping is allowed on-site, though the area is rocky. A hoist (pulley and rope) is available to transport gear to the tower cabin. There is no water or electricity available at the site. Guests must bring enough water for drinking, cooking, and washing. Other items to bring include sleeping bags, flashlights or lanterns, towels, dish soap, matches, toilet paper, a first aid kit and garbage bags. All food and trash must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Laramie, Wyoming, take Highway 130 west toward Centennial, Wyoming. Turn south on Highway 11 to Albany, Wyoming. From Albany, you will take Forest Service Road 500 for 5.5 miles then turn north on to FSR 500.A. The Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout will be at the end of that road.
| Nearest town | Laramie, Wyoming |
| Coordinates | 41.2031° N, 106.2167° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Refunds for cancellations may be processed on a case-by-case basis. There are no refunds for reservation processing fees. Please be aware of changes in weather and road conditions prior to arrival and plan accordingly.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedMagic Feather Broadcast Rx
47 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 32.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 34.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 10.3 miSilver Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.4 miTipple Trail Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.8 mi
Trails nearby
- 3 miAlbany Trail ↗20.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Savage Run Wilderness begins about 6.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.4 miSavage Run Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 15,284 acres
- 8.2 miPlatte River Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 24,051 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Mountain View HotelBuilding · Centennial · 7.6 mi
- Centennial DepotBuilding · Centennial · 7.7 mi
- Centennial Work CenterHistoric district · Centennial · 7.9 mi
Natural features
The lookout offers panoramic views that include Medicine Bow Peak, Rob Roy Reservoir, Jelm Mountain and the southern end of the Snowy Range. Snowdrifts melt in June, welcoming the arrival of wildflowers that splash color on the rocky, timbered hillsides. Wildlife species such as elk, deer, black bears, cougars, squirrels, foxes and bats are supported by the area's diverse forest habitats. At an elevation of 10,003 feet, guests should be prepared for high altitude conditions. Summertime temperatures average 70 degrees fahrenheit, but can drop as low as 30 degrees at night or during thunderstorms.
Recreation
The area around the lookout offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and hunting. The lookout is also ideal for guests who simply want to relax and enjoy picnics, campfires and stargazing at night. Rob Roy Reservoir is a six mile drive from the lookout, offering opportunities for fishing, boating and water skiing. Gold panning is a popular activity in Douglas Creek, which is connected to the reservoir.
Guidebooks for Wyoming
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout Tower?
Sites at Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout Tower are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout Tower?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout Tower have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout Tower?
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Is there cell service at Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout Tower?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout Tower?
The area around the lookout offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and hunting. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout Tower?
Laramie, Wyoming.
Source: Getting there
What if Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout Tower is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Rob Roy Campground (2.1 mi), Lake Owen (7.2 mi), and Libby Creek Aspen Campground (8.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby