Built in 1935 for detecting wildfires, Evergreen Lookout sits at 5,587 feet, on top of its namesake mountain. The lookout tower is located in the Wild Sky Wilderness and is accessed via a short, sweet, and pretty darn steep hike up the Evergreen Lookout Trail. The views are a little less dramatic from Evergreen Lookout than some other fire lookouts, but the views are still expansive, and in my experience, this lookout offers more solitude than some of the others. Evergreen lookout is unique among Washington fire lookouts because you have to make reservations to stay there.

Some see this as a negative, but I personally view it as a huge bonus. Yes, you have to plan way in advance, and it can be challenging to secure a reservation.

Spending The Night: Evergreen Mountain Lookout is open for overnight stays from July through September, depending on weather conditions. You can make a reservation for the lookout on the recreation.gov website for $85 per night. Entry to the lookout is by key, which must be picked up at the Skykomish Ranger Station before your hike.

The lookout cabin sleeps four and is furnished with one twin-sized bed and mattress, three extra mattresses, a table and chairs, a propane stove, two battery-powered lanterns, a cooking pot, dishes, and a coffee pot. There is no water or heat at the site. All trash and food must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving.

Pro Tip: The hike up to Evergreen Lookout may be short, but the forest road up to the trailhead is of the extremely long and windy variety. If you are prone to car sickness, this might not be the hike for you.

Get Involved: The Evergreen Lookout is maintained and cared for by the Everett Branch of the Mountaineers. If you would like to volunteer or join a guided hike to this destination, they’d love to hear from you!

Distance: 3 miles RT

Elevation Gain: 1425 ft.