Climbing Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower In Hoosier National Forest

Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower stands guard over the Charles C. Deam Wilderness in the the Hoosier National Forest of Indiana.

The tower was one of nine located in the Hoosier National Forest, but is now the only one remaining.

The Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower was added to the National Historic Lookout Register in October 1990. It was the fourth lookout tower to be listed nationally and the first such tower in Indiana to be listed.

Construction of the tower began in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It was manned and used for fire detection until the 1970’s.

It is constructed of steel with a seven foot square cab on the top. It originally had 122 wooden steps that were later replaced with 133 metal steps. It is 110 feet tall. A cabin or guard station, a latrine, and a garage were also originally built on the site, but now the tower is all that remains.

Though not used as a fire tower anymore it is open to the public as an observation tower.

Make the climb to the top and you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the forest and Lake Monroe. On a clear day you can see approximately 20 miles in any direction.

I do not climb fire towers.

I have Acrophobia (fear of heights) so I never make it to the top. I’ve tried, but I usually never make it very far. There have been a few shorter ones I’ve been able to conquer, but anything too high up and I chicken out.

Jamey on the other hand LOVES fire towers.

He has climbed every one we have ever came across up to the very top while I usually wait patiently below with my feet firmly planted on the ground. He said the views from the top of Hickory Ridge were preety sweet and you can thank him for the pics I posted.

If your ready for a little climb the tower can be found off Tower Ridge Road (GPS coordinates above).