Park Ridge Lookout is IN SERVICE for the 2023 summer season.
ELEVATION: 7540 FEET
KINGS CANYON NP
CALIFORNIA, USA
LAT/LONG: 36˚ 43’ 27” X 118˚ 56’ 33”
TOWNSHIP 14 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST
SECTION 9 NW ¼
Visitors Welcome: 10:00 – 5:00 daily when lookout is staffed during fire season. LOOKOUT MAY BE CLOSED AT ANY TIME DUE TO WEATHER OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS including COVID-19 isolation.
Park Ridge Lookout is located just east of Grant Grove, in Kings Canyon National Park. An easy 2 mile hike from Panoramic Point brings you to the base of the lookout which was established in 1916.
Park Ridge was originally an open air lookout with a lean-to shelter and a tent platform. The lookout was jointly managed by the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service until 1940 when the Park Service assumed sole responsibility. In 1964, the original wooden lookout, with lower living quarters, was replaced by the current 20 foot high, 14’ X 14’ steel tower and was moved ¼ mile SW of the original site.
The lookout was staffed continuously during fire seasons by Mattie Simms from 6-10-56 until her retirement on 10-29-74. After Mattie, Parks Ridge was staffed sporadically due to budget cuts and was closed after fire season 1996. With a cooperative agreement between the Buck Rock Foundation and NPS, Park Ridge was once again staffed in August, 2004. Thru the volunteer lookout program, Park Ridge will be staffed many days during fire seasons.