The table and clickable map above show the location or former location of lookout towers in Tennessee. Many have been removed, and most locations are now private property. You are advised not to climb the towers, often steps have been removed or are rotten. Most of the data is harvested from the USGS topo maps, county maps and NGS data sheets. Special thanks to Jerry Lutts, Ron Stafford (FFLA TN tower data), Bill Stowel, Peter Barr, and Tennessee forestry staff Steve Johnson, Ward Tarkington, Bobby Linville, Gerald Eaton, Tommy Franks, Darren Webb, Chris Carney, and Brook Smith. I have given unofficial names to towers that were not named on the USGS maps or on the list of towers provided by the state forestry office. Numbers in the table (e.g., 4-7) are state forest tower numbers (district-tower). Names in the table above with a "?" means the location is only approximate (no clue). Corrections and additions are welcome.

In 1905, the first USFS fire lookout tower was placed in operation in Greenville, Maine. [still gathering info on the history of lookout towers in Tennessee ...] From 1933 to 1941, the Civilian Conservation Corps erected 98 lookout towers in Tennessee. (Read more about CCC towers.) The Cherokee National Forest (CNF) had 18 fire towers.

Wildlife viewing platforms are located at Hatfield knob (elk, info or here), Hiwassee WMA (cranes), Blythe Ferry, Cove Lake, Kyker Bottoms, Reelfoot Lake south platform and photo, north platform (KY). Also viewing platforms at Chickasaw and Lake Isom wildlife refuges ( article) and other viewing platforms.