Kennaday Peak Lookout

Closed — Closed for the season. Opens mid-July through mid-September. Reservations available at $80 per night with a 4-person maximum capacity.

About

Kennaday Peak Lookout stands as the last fully functional fire lookout on the Brush Creek Ranger District of the Medicine Bow National Forest. The current structure, built in 1964, replaced an earlier lookout constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Listed on the National Historic Registry, this tower was one of six built in the area and sits atop Kennaday Peak at 10,800 feet elevation. The 15'x15' living space accommodates up to 4 people with two bunk beds and is equipped with a propane heater, solar lights, propane cookstove, and basic cookware and utensils. The lookout offers spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, including views of Medicine Bow Peak in the Snowy Range and the Platte River Valley. No indoor plumbing is available, but a vault toilet is located outside. Visitors must bring their own water for the duration of their stay. Access to the tower can be difficult and a 4WD vehicle may be needed.

Directions

From Highway 130 east of Saratoga, turn north onto North Brush Creek Road (Forest Road 100). After approximately 10 miles, turn left onto Forest Road 215 and continue for about 6.5 miles to reach the summit of Kennaday Peak. The road is rough in spots; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

Nearby Campgrounds