Follow these fantastic hikes to four historic fire lookout towers in Georgia, catching some outstanding summit views from lofty mountaintops.
Incredible. That feeling, standing on a towering mountaintop, soaking up stunning views in all directions and catching that sweet summit breeze. Fire lookout towers are historic structures that were once important tools in fighting forest fires throughout the South. Their locations were often selected for their broad, sweeping views from some of Georgia’s tallest mountaintops, including the summits at Brasstown Bald and Rabun Bald, our state’s two tallest peaks.
Though they were once a fairly common sight along our tallest ridgelines and summits, fire lookout towers are pretty much a rarity today in our Southern states. With the invent of new technologies for detecting and fighting wildfires, many of the historic towers became obsolete and abandoned over the years. Luckily, a few still survive today, offering exceptional views and a little slice of mountain history.
Follow these four favorite trails to explore some classic North Georgia forests and score some of the best far-flung vistas in our state. They’re all pretty much guaranteed to provide a fantastic view on a clear, fair-weather day… and they’re some of our favorite sunrise and sunset locations, too.
Our favorite fire lookout towers hikes in Georgia
Before heading out, remember to check the weather forecast. Never approach a bald mountain summit or any tower if electrical storms are in the area. And remember to pack the essentials like water, a first aid kit, and extra layers: check out our hiking gear list, featuring our trail-tested favorites and packing inspiration.
![Brasstown Bald]()
Brasstown Bald
1.1 MILES (ROUND TRIP)
Hike a short but steep paved trail through a lush forest filled with moss and rhododendron at Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s tallest peak. At the top, an enormous platform surrounding the historic wooden tower offers outstanding 360-degree views. It’s also one of our favorite places to catch a gorgeous North Georgia sunrise.
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Fort Mountain
1.5 MILES (ROUND TRIP)
Explore a mysterious serpentine stone wall, a four-story stone tower, and one of the best lookout views in Georgia. This outstanding loop at Fort Mountain State Park packs a ton of interest and scenic beauty into a relatively short distance. The recently renovated stone lookout tower is open on fair weather weekends to visitors, but the best views are had from the park’s nearby scenic overlook, where sweeping views extend to the west.
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Rabun Bald
3 MILES (ROUND TRIP)
Hike a segment of the Bartram Trail to Georgia’s second tallest peak, Rabun Bald. At the summit, grab infinite panoramic views into the surrounding weathered peaks of the Appalachian Mountains. The hike follows a switchback-laden trail through a forest filled with rhododendron and mountain laurel tunnels. At the summit, a wooden platform on a broad stone base is all that’s left of Rabun Bald’s historic lookout tower, but the 360-degree views are absolutely fantastic.
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Grassy Mountain Tower
5.3 MILES (ROUND TRIP)
This scenic adventure begins on the banks of gorgeous Lake Conasauga, Georgia’s highest-elevation lake. From the lake, the adventure explores a scenic mountain bog and a beaver dam, and then climbs through a lush swath of the Cohutta Wilderness to the summit of Grassy Mountain. At the top, a weathered steel lookout tower offers outstanding views of the Cohutta Wilderness, nearby Fort Mountain, and distant mountaintops.
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What to pack?
Our favorite hiking gear
Ready to hit the trail, but wondering what to pack? Our hiking gear list features our favorite, trail-tested hiking gear for day hikes on local trails and in the backcountry. We print and stitch our Atlanta Trails shirts and hats locally in Atlanta and Asheville, and they’re our favorite for trail adventures all over the South. And no matter what you pack in, pack it all back out, and please leave no trace to help preserve our state’s beauty.
OUR HIKING GEAR LIST
Fire tower adventures in North Carolina
Checked all our favorite Georgia lookout tower trails off your bucket list? Take your adventures across the state line to Western North Carolina, where the mountains near Asheville offer some great hikes to several of NC’s remaining towers. Check out our favorite fire tower hikes near Asheville to score more of the most stunning views in the South.
Please Remember
Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.
Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.
