Tips to camp in a wildfire lookout tower

If you want a million-dollar view for less than $100 a night, one option rises above the rest: camping in a wildfire lookout tower.

The big picture: The U.S. Forest Service rents dozens of its old, remote fire lookouts now that infrared tools and aircraft have replaced human eyes in most areas.

• The "cabins" are like mountain lighthouses, designed for 360° views from high peaks.

Settling into the fire lookout at Thompson Peak, Montana.

Driving the news: Some of the lookouts' fall and winter reservations open up today, so hop online pronto if you want a chance to stay there.

Catch-up quick: Foresters built about 5,000 watch stations around the western states after massive wildfires in 1910 consumed about 20 million acres and killed more than 80 people in Montana and Idaho.

• Before that, there wasn't a coordinated wildfire alert system.

By the numbers: As of 2019, about 300 were still staffed , mostly by volunteers who regularly scan the landscape and sound the alarm as needed.

• Now about 75 "retired" lookouts are available for tourists to rent in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Zoom in: My family spent the 4th at Thompson Peak, Montana , marveling at the scenery — and, at night, the stars.

How it works: Like many sought-after Recreation.gov reservations, the lookouts aren't easily searchable (thanks, Booz Allen ) — but explore the options , filtering for cabins and lookouts.

• Keep an eye on the individual site you're interested in, and mark your calendar for the date reservations become available. They get snapped up quickly.

The fine print: Check the tower's page to learn about parking, guest capacity, cell service, electricity and water — and how you get up there.

• Some are built on the ground ; others are on rocks or at the top of a lot of stairs .
• Prices range from $ 30 to $ 100 per night.

An Osborne Firefinder, invented in 1911, allows firewatchers to locate a fire on a map using sight lines from the tower. Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios

Worth your time: To get inspired, check out modern fire watch workers on TikTok , where they discuss the job, navigational tools like the mapping device shown above — and what it's like to live alone in the woods for months on end.

What's next: About a dozen have reservations opening up this morning, including ones near Tahoe , California; Evergreen , Colorado; and Mt. Hood , Oregon.