Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout

Mestaa’Ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout view from upper cab
Fire Lookout Tower 4
Mestaa’Ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout
Fire Lookout Tower
Visitor

Featured amenities

Kitchen Kitchen

About Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout

The Mestaa’ėhehe (pronounced mess-taw-HAY) Mountain Fire Lookout is located directly off of Colorado Highway 103 west of Bergen Park and sits at the summit of Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain, which is an active communication tower site in Clear Creek County. In addition to being an active communication site, the area is a popular dispersed recreation use area with hiking, recreational shooting, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and camping. The lookout is a unique structure constructed of native granite which is situated at over 11 ft elevation and was built in the 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The cab measures 14 ft by 14 ft and is completely lined by windows on each side and surrounded by a catwalk, all of which sit on top of a one story stone base.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Shooting

Shooting

Year-round
Skiing

Skiing

Winter

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 1 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Kitchen Kitchen

Cabin Interior

  • Kitchen
  • Heating

Views and Setting

  • View
Missing information?

Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

✨ Hut
  • 4 guests

Site Details

Up to 4 guests
Surface: Gravel
Driveway entry: Parallel
View Site Details

Reviews (164)

What Guests Are Saying

Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout offers a unique and breathtaking experience with stunning views and clean, well-equipped accommodations resembling a hotel rather than typical camping. Visitors appreciate the easy hike and thoughtful amenities, including a stocked kitchen and comfortable sleeping arrangements, making it suitable for families. However, some guests noted issues with privacy due to unaware hikers and suggested clearer signage, as well as improvements for the incinerator toilet usage.

Review Summary

4.5
164 reviews
5
76.8%
126
4
11.0%
18
3
6.1%
10
2
2.4%
4
1
3.7%
6

Bethany D

Verified

September 27, 2026 • Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Beautiful view. I had service for verizon at night but not during the day. Heater worked really well. Kettle was broken.

5

Wow! Is all I can say! Pretty easy hike with backpacks for a 64 and 65 year old from Kansas! Greeted with an epic hail and thunderstorm after we arrived at the tower!

Cabin was clean and just as described. We brought dinner and ate it on top floor and never really used the lower level with a really nice kitchen. After dark great stargazing and lights from Denver were spectacular! Beautiful sunrise and an easy hike down about 9am.

Thanks for providing a great place!!!!

Tom and Tena

Jason F

Verified

July 10, 2026 • Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

4

Always an amazing stay. This was our 4th stay at the Tower. Every stay is so unique.

5

Incredible. Just remember to bring water. Views can’t be beat if it’s windy and you’re upstairs sleeping will be tough. But who cares And watch out for that bad on the left. Slight squeak

4

Beautiful setting. clear skies and very little wind on our trip.

Two suggestions:

1. Create a sign that indicates that the tower is a private, paid-for, and reserved campsite. When people just walk on up (which they did), it is an invasion of privacy.
2. Create better step-by-step instructions for the use of the Incinerator toilet. By the time we got there, it was clear that multiple people had used the toilet but had not run the incinerator. The incinerator bowl was overflowing, and it took several tries to burn it off. We also packed out a large bag of incinerated waste --not a good experience.

5

Lovely stay! Can’t say enough how unique and fun this was. The views are amazing and there is everything you need in the kitchen area.

Brooke B

Verified

April 29, 2026 • Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Such a magical stay! We got this permit last minute and it was truly perfect. I am so impressed with how well past visitors keep the space and was surprised by all the cooking items (and microwave) that were in the kitchen area. Hope to stay here again soon!

Brooke B

Verified

April 29, 2026 • Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Such a magical stay! We got this permit last minute and it was truly perfect. I am so impressed with how well past visitors keep the space and was surprised by all the cooking items (and microwave) that were in the kitchen area. Hope to stay here again soon!

Jared G

Verified

April 18, 2026 • Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Has to be one of the most unique experiences in the State of Colorado. Unbelievable views. Facility as everything you would need, more like a hotel room than camping. The only issues is other people hanging out around the site, they should really put up a sign explaining that this is a rented camp site.

Jared G

Verified

April 18, 2026 • Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Has to be one of the most unique experiences in the State of Colorado. Unbelievable views. Facility as everything you would need, more like a hotel room than camping. The only issues is other people hanging out around the site, they should really put up a sign explaining that this is a rented camp site.

Location & Directions for Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout

Po Box 3307, Idaho Springs, CO 80452 United States

Elevation: 3,491 ft

Getting There

Please follow the directions provided below and do not use other navigation applications. From Idaho Springs and Interstate 70, take Exit 240 (Colorado Highway 103) and drive south over the bridge on Colorado 103 for 19 mi. Turn right onto Forest...

Nearest town

Idaho Springs, CO - 9.9 mi

About 33 min to downtown

Highway access

Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout is accessible via Interstate 70, with Exit 240 leading to Colorado Highway 103, which is approximately 19 miles south from the exit.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 19, 2026

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Explore Idaho Springs, CO

Population: 1,986

Nearby larger city

Arvada, CO

Approx. 23 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 7,533 ft

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