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. After thirty years of use, it was replaced with a taller, more structurally sound tower; the new 55-foot 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, and guests can drive directly to it most of the season. During the month of June, snow drifts may prevent you from driving directly to the tower and you may need to pack items in from a longer distance. Several amenities are provided, but guests should be prepared to pack in some of their own supplies and gear for a comfortable stay. The area around the lookout offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and hunting. It 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 fishing, boating and water skiing, and gold panning is a popular activity in Douglas Creek, which is connected to the reservoir. 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, and a hoist (pulley and rope) is available to transport gear to the tower cabin. There is no water or electricity available at the site, so guests must bring enough water for drinking, cooking and washing, along with 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. 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.