If you’re ready for a new and really different way to experience our national parks, I be you haven’t considered visiting a park’s watch tower. A good portion of the towers are being used for spotting fires, but a good portion of them are being rented out to you.
Head over to the Black Mountain Lookout, in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, where their tower has views of Honey Lake to the North, and Last Chance Creek to the South. Their tower accommodates up to four people, and is equipped with: electricity, two beds, a small stove, small refrigerator, heater and lights, aven a new vault toilet system.
But camper beware, not all watch towers are generously equipped like Black Mountain Lookout. To rough it a bit more, check out the Hirz Mountain Lookout in California. You have to hike a quarter mile on a steep trail in a high cliff area/danger zone, by the way). Once inside the tower, you’ll find two twin beds, but no linens or bedding, water or electricity; this is truely BYO.
To read more of Peter’s Travel Tips, go to the complete Travel Tips Archive.
