For those looking for a unique outdoor adventure, consider renting a fire lookout tower. Once found throughout the country, the towers came into broad use in the early 20th century as the primary way to spot wildfires in the nation’s forests. Modern technology has seen most of these structures retired from active duty, but they still offer amazing views in remote locations, primarily throughout the Western United States. Most rent for about $40 a night and generally accommodate two to four guests, but be forewarned that you need to reserve far in advance and tote in most of your supplies (and water) yourself.

For a comprehensive list of lookouts available for rent by state, check out the Forest Fire Lookout Association’s website. The FFLA began in 1990 in Pennsylvania and is involved with lookout restoration and preservation, providing grants for lookout preservation and researching and preserving lookout history. The site provides lots of information, including links to actual lookouts for sale and paid and volunteer jobs available. However, if you want to actually reserve a stay, you need to visit recreation.gov to sign up.

Jamie Hale, The Oregonian‘s outdoors and travel writer, offers several tips for securing your lookout adventure. First, he notes that there is a six-month reservation window, and most of the dates in Oregon are booked up already through spring 2017. Plan ahead about two seasons out, create an account on  recreation.gov and become familiar with the site in advance. Be flexible as to time and location, and consider booking a weekday jaunt. Most lookouts are open from May or June through October or November, but some are closed during the height of fire season (July, August and sometimes September). One, Warner Mountain Lookout in the Willamette National Forest at a 5,300-foot elevation, is available November through May. Guests arrive via skis, snowmobiles or snowshoes on an unplowed Forest Service road, but for those willing to do so and bring all their supplies, it offers an incredible stay in a pristine winter wilderness.

Keep in mind these aren’t five-star accommodations. Most are some distance from a road and will require you to hike in . . . with all your supplies. “Beds” are usually a platform of some sort with, at best, a thin, camp-style mattress, so sleeping bags are necessary. Plan on bringing a light source; possibly some cooking equipment; food; and, usually, water for drinking, washing and bathing. (Remember, these towers are located on the top of a mountain!) Everything you bring in (and all trash) must be brought back out. Some allow pets, but keep in mind many of these towers are dozens of feet in the air; if your pooch doesn’t do well with stairs or heights, it might be kinder to leave Fido at home. Details on each location, including what amenities are available and whether pets are welcome, may be found at the recreation.gov site. Once you’ve secured your reservation and shortly before you arrive, it’s recommended you contact the local ranger district for updates on wildlife, road conditions, etc. and get access codes for the site.

It’s not too early to start planning for a unique, once-in-a-lifetime stay!

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor