Adirondack Fire Towers
Adirondack
Fire Towers
27 summits. A century of history. Each one earned on foot — and every view worth it.
A Different Kind of Summit
The Adirondack fire towers have stood watch over the park since the early 1900s, built to detect wildfires before they could spread across millions of acres of wilderness. Most have been restored by volunteers and the state — and today, they offer something no High Peak can: a platform above the trees, 360 degrees of open sky, and a piece of living history at your feet. This is our complete guide to all 27.
Fire towers were first introduced to the Adirondacks in the early 1900s as the state's answer to catastrophic wildfires. At their peak, over 100 observers lived and worked in these towers seasonally — scanning millions of acres of wilderness for smoke. Today, 27 towers remain hikeable across the park, most restored through partnerships between the DEC and volunteer organizations.
Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge
Created by the ADK Mountain Club's Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter. Document 23 dated ascents — at least 18 ADK summits and all 5 Catskill summits — and earn your official patch. Climbing each tower is not required for those needing restoration work.
View the Challenge →Northern Adirondacks
4 TowersHigh Peaks Region
4 TowersCentral Adirondacks
6 TowersWestern Adirondacks
6 TowersSouthern & Eastern Adirondacks
7 TowersMakomis Fire Tower
One of the oldest steel fire towers in New York State, the Makomis tower was originally erected on Makomis Mountain in Essex County in 1916 and operated until 1970. After decades in private storage, it was restored and relocated to Sacandaga River Community Park in Speculator — where it now stands open to visitors 365 days a year, dawn to dusk, at no cost. No trail, no elevation gain, just the tower and views of Lake Pleasant.
Learn more about Makomis Fire Tower →- Gore Mountain — Tower closed. Removed from the ADK Fire Tower Challenge list during ski season; uphill travel not permitted while the resort is operating.
- Black Mountain — Tower closed to the public.
- Loon Lake Mountain — Tower closed to the public.
- Spruce Mountain — Tower closed by the DEC pending a safety inspection.
Dates below are inclusive. Due to landowner easements, closure dates may differ from those listed on the DEC website.
- Stillwater Mountain — Oct 14–Dec 20
- Swede Mountain — Sep 11–Dec 15
- Spruce Mountain — Oct 25–Dec 7
Visit the ADK Mountain Club for the latest tower and Challenge status updates.
Shop the Fire Tower Collection
Tees, hoodies, stickers, and prints celebrating the towers you've climbed — or have yet to.
View the Collection →Climbing to New Heights
Terry Hynes's memoir of completing the Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge — a personal, on-the-ground account of all 23 summits. A great read before, during, or after tackling the list yourself.
View on Amazon →