Adirondack Fire Towers

Adirondack Park, New York

Adirondack
Fire Towers

27 summits. A century of history. Each one earned on foot — and every view worth it.

27 Fire Tower Summits

1,700–3,904 Elevation Range (ft)

0.4–7.5 Miles One Way

100+ Years of History

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.

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18 of 27 ADK Towers All 5 Catskill Towers

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.

#2 Highest Fire Tower Summit

St. Regis Mountain Moderate

2,882 ftElevation

3.4 miOne Way

1,250 ftAscent

St. Regis Canoe Area Views

Azure Mountain Moderate

Loon Lake Mountain Moderate

3,355 ftElevation

2.8 miOne Way

1,642 ftAscent

⚠ Tower closed · Chestertown Area

Hurricane Mountain Hard

3,694 ftElevation

2.6 miOne Way

2,000 ftAscent

High Peaks Views, No Crowds

Vanderwhacker Mountain Moderate

Poke-O-Moonshine Moderate

2,174 ftElevation

2.25 miOne Way

1,450 ftAscent

Champlain Valley Views

#1 Highest Fire Tower Summit

Blue Mountain Moderate

3,759 ftElevation

2.5 miOne Way

1,560 ftAscent

#3 Highest — Best Value Hike

Owls Head Mountain Moderate

Goodnow Mountain Moderate

Long Lake · Opened Sept. 2023

Pillsbury Mountain Moderate

3,597 ftElevation

1.6 miOne Way

1,300 ftAscent

Big Views, Short Hike

Stillwater Mountain Easy

2,264 ftElevation

0.9 miOne Way

530 ftAscent

🦌 Trail closed Oct 14–Dec 20 · Lowville Area

Woodhull Mountain Hard

2,365 ftElevation

7.5 miOne Way

N/AAscent

Longest Approach — Herkimer Co.

Tupper Lake — Kids Favorite

Old Forge Area — Most Popular

⚠ Tower closed · Off Challenge list during ski season

Hadley Mountain Moderate

2,680 ftElevation

2.0 miOne Way

1,530 ftAscent

Great Sacandaga Lake Views

Black Mountain Moderate

2,665 ftElevation

2.5 miOne Way

N/AAscent

⚠ Tower closed · Lake George Region

Spruce Mountain Moderate

2,009 ftElevation

1.2 miOne Way

1,011 ftAscent

⚠ Tower closed · 🦌 Trail closed Oct 25–Dec 7

Shortest Hike of All 27

🦌 Trail closed Sep 11–Dec 15 · Lake George Area

⚠ Tower & Trail Access Notes: Several towers are currently closed to climbing: Gore Mountain, Black Mountain, and Loon Lake Mountain towers are closed to the public; Spruce Mountain's tower is closed by the DEC pending a safety inspection. Gore Mountain is also removed from the ADK Mountain Club Fire Tower Challenge list during ski season, as uphill travel is not permitted while the resort is operating. Additionally, three trails close seasonally due to landowner easements during hunting season: Stillwater Mountain (Oct 14–Dec 20), Swede Mountain (Sep 11–Dec 15), and Spruce Mountain (Oct 25–Dec 7). Visit the ADK Mountain Club for the latest tower and Challenge status updates.