About Buck Rock Lookout

In the land of the giant sequoias, perched on a granite dome at 8,502’, Buck Rock Lookout offers a spectacular 360-degree view stretching from the Coastal Ranges across the San Joaquin Valley to the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Not just an icon of a by-gone era, Buck Rock captures the spirit of the forest, our conservation heritage and remains in service as a vital tool for early fire detection. 

From a distance the lookout appears to be a small shack teetering atop a rock hundreds of feet above the surrounding forest. A trail from the parking area leads to the base of a partially suspended staircase that zig-zags up the side of the rock. After ascending 172 steps and an elevation gain of 300 feet, visitors can catch their breath and admire the view from a narrow deck (called a “catwalk”) that surrounds the lookout.

To the north, Spanish Mountain looms high above the wild and scenic Kings River, the elevation difference at this point is the greatest of any canyon in North America. Looking eastward, the Monarch and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Areas appear as foreground to the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Great Western Divide. To the southeast lies the Sequoia National Park, home to Giant Forest and the craggy Mineral King. Looking down upon the forest below, one can see the rounded tops of giant sequoias scattered throughout the mixed conifers and alpine meadows. 

Fire lookouts were built to help protect our nation’s forests from devastating wildfires. Used as early as 1908, Buck Rock was one of the first permanent fire detection locations in the Sierra Nevada. The current building was constructed in 1921 and 1922, staffed for the first time in 1923, and is historically significant as one of the earliest live-in style designs.

Prior to this building, a ranger, using a series of ladders, would climb to the top to scan for smokes using only binoculars, a compass and a map. Spotting a smoke, they would quickly descend the rock, get on a horse, and chase down the fire. Today, the lookout is fully equipped with modern tools that are used to quicky locate and report fires. The ranger stays on duty in the lookout while others manage the fire. With just minor modifications, the lookout remains true to its original design.

Buck Rock lookout was permanently closed in 1987. It remained closed for the next 12 years, used sporadically as a vantage point during local fires. Unwilling to see this historic treasure lost for future generations, a local grass-roots organization was formed to save it.

Working with the Forest Service, the Buck Rock Foundation obtained grants, recruited volunteers, did repairs, and got the lookout re-opened for good in 2000.  Today, Buck Rock is staffed, in service, and open to visitors seven days a week during a fire season that can stretch for 6 months.