OutReserve

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

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 11,000 feet elevation and was built in the 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The cab measures 14 feet by 14 feet 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.

Number of accommodations: 1

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Hiking

Shooting

Skiing

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

Cabin Interior

  • Kitchen
  • Heating

Views and Setting

  • View
Missing information?

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

Price not available
⛺ Tent Unavailable

Site Details

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

Reviews (156)

What Guests Are Saying

Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout offers a unique and magical experience with breathtaking views and well-equipped kitchen amenities, making it feel more like a hotel than traditional camping. Guests appreciate the cleanliness and upkeep by previous visitors, along with comfortable sleeping arrangements and thoughtful touches. While some visitors noted issues with other hikers not respecting reservations and the potential for wind disturbances, overall, the positive experiences and stunning surroundings make it a highly recommended destination.

Review Summary

4.5
156 reviews
5
76.9%
120
4
10.3%
16
3
6.4%
10
2
2.6%
4
1
3.8%
6

Nathan H

Verified

May 18, 2023 Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Great Mid-May stay stay here. Nice dry road on the way up, some steeper sections but not terrible. Only saw 2 young guys on their way up to the lookout. They were super polite and asked if they could come up for pics. Not a soul in sight all evening and morning the next day. Clouds set in about 7 laying 3-4 inches of spring snow before it let up revealing the city over all the snow covered trees. Most beautiful sight! We woke up to frozen windows and about 18 inches of fresh snow. We cleaned, swept, wiped down and began our trek down. We had parked just below the gate pointed down, had no issues driving out after we got down. Can’t wait to come back!!!!

Nathan H

Verified

May 18, 2023 Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Great Mid-May stay stay here. Nice dry road on the way up, some steeper sections but not terrible. Only saw 2 young guys on their way up to the lookout. They were super polite and asked if they could come up for pics. Not a soul in sight all evening and morning the next day. Clouds set in about 7 laying 3-4 inches of spring snow before it let up revealing the city over all the snow covered trees. Most beautiful sight! We woke up to frozen windows and about 18 inches of fresh snow. We cleaned, swept, wiped down and began our trek down. We had parked just below the gate pointed down, had no issues driving out after we got down. Can’t wait to come back!!!!

Jennifer M

Verified

April 17, 2023 Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Amazing.

Jennifer M

Verified

April 17, 2023 Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Amazing.

Gregory T

Verified

March 23, 2023 Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon/morning. Slept warm all night and woke up above the clouds. Set off the fire alarm while cooking my steak, recommended to keep the door open while cooking!

Gregory T

Verified

March 23, 2023 Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon/morning. Slept warm all night and woke up above the clouds. Set off the fire alarm while cooking my steak, recommended to keep the door open while cooking!

5

95% of trail (road) solid snow pack. Small rocks becoming visible near top switch backs. Easy grade no large step sections easy to pull sled with water and kid ski stroller with 2 kids up.

Bring and donated paper towels, 2 gallon trash bags, toilet paper, measuring cups, electric water kettle, kids books, and better binoculars, telescope, new games. board games and activities could use some TLC they've been around a decade or more.

Downstairs has mice issues so keep food in fridge and don't leave crumbs or dirty sink overnight unless you want mice droppings all over.

In winter at night upstairs is cold, 360 windows suck out heat bring 20 below or warmer bag. With extra blankets.

Oven can fit full size frozen lasagna or pizza. Pots and pans provided but may be hard to clean since sink faucet has no water and sink drains down to a 4 gallon waste water bucket under the sink

Beds 4 twin, 2 upstairs / bunk downstairs are heavy but can fit mattress on floor upstairs.

Catwalk trap door locks with carabineer to keep out people who ignore the renters only behind this point signs

Very well taken care of. Please keep this gem nice by leaving better than you find it.

5

95% of trail (road) solid snow pack. Small rocks becoming visible near top switch backs. Easy grade no large step sections easy to pull sled with water and kid ski stroller with 2 kids up.

Bring and donated paper towels, 2 gallon trash bags, toilet paper, measuring cups, electric water kettle, kids books, and better binoculars, telescope, new games. board games and activities could use some TLC they've been around a decade or more.

Downstairs has mice issues so keep food in fridge and don't leave crumbs or dirty sink overnight unless you want mice droppings all over.

In winter at night upstairs is cold, 360 windows suck out heat bring 20 below or warmer bag. With extra blankets.

Oven can fit full size frozen lasagna or pizza. Pots and pans provided but may be hard to clean since sink faucet has no water and sink drains down to a 4 gallon waste water bucket under the sink

Beds 4 twin, 2 upstairs / bunk downstairs are heavy but can fit mattress on floor upstairs.

Catwalk trap door locks with carabineer to keep out people who ignore the renters only behind this point signs

Very well taken care of. Please keep this gem nice by leaving better than you find it.

Ariel D

Verified

March 12, 2023 Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Got to the parking around 4pm on a Friday. Took about 1 hour to hike to the lookout. The lookout itself was amazing! It was very clean, and the views were incredible. We woke up to about 4-5 inches of snow, but were actually pretty warm. We didn't spend time in the bottom area with the kitchen, so I can't speak for warmth of that. We packed sleeping backs, blow up pillows and some warm clothes to sleep in and were just fine! The outhouse is also something to be noted, because it is the best toilet in nature I have ever used. It was clean, didn't smell and really cool in how it works. Would bring a little TP just in case, as there was only a little left. Hope this helps anyone staying here and hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Ariel D

Verified

March 12, 2023 Stayed at: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO, Loop: Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire LO

5

Got to the parking around 4pm on a Friday. Took about 1 hour to hike to the lookout. The lookout itself was amazing! It was very clean, and the views were incredible. We woke up to about 4-5 inches of snow, but were actually pretty warm. We didn't spend time in the bottom area with the kitchen, so I can't speak for warmth of that. We packed sleeping backs, blow up pillows and some warm clothes to sleep in and were just fine! The outhouse is also something to be noted, because it is the best toilet in nature I have ever used. It was clean, didn't smell and really cool in how it works. Would bring a little TP just in case, as there was only a little left. Hope this helps anyone staying here and hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Location Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout

Address:
Po Box 3307
Idaho Springs, CO, 80452
United States

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.

Latitude & Longitude: 39.6789 / -105.493

Elevation: 3491 feet

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 5, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service