We had a nice time at Bolan Mountain Lookout. Our stay was near the tail end of summer and as such when we visited the weather was not hot. We endured our first thunderstorm in a lookout tower. That was quite the event. There is no way to lock the door to the lookout so be aware of that. Other visitors can drive part way up the road and then hike the rest of the way up to the tower. We had several visitors, including the USFS using the area around the lookout to spot for lightning strikes/fires. Overall it was a nice stay. Keep your animals close and be prepared to hike up and down stone steps a lot bringing your gear and equipment up. The outhouse is at the bottom of the steps near where you park your car. This lookout was a little less equipped than the one we stayed in the previous year (2018), but we still had a lovely time. The views of the night sky are unmatched and drinking a few brews with your feet hanging off the edge of the rocks is an other worldly sight to behold. Be aware that Bolan Lake is below the lookout and people can be heard down at the campground (fires, loud talking, dogs, etc.). There are better lookout towers to "get away from it all" if that's what you're looking for.

We had a nice time at Bolan Mountain Lookout. Our stay was near the tail end of summer and as such when we visited the weather was not hot. We endured our first thunderstorm in a lookout tower. That was quite the event. There is no way to lock the door to the lookout so be aware of that. Other visitors can drive part way up the road and then hike the rest of the way up to the tower. We had several visitors, including the USFS using the area around the lookout to spot for lightning strikes/fires. Overall it was a nice stay. Keep your animals close and be prepared to hike up and down stone steps a lot bringing your gear and equipment up. The outhouse is at the bottom of the steps near where you park your car. This lookout was a little less equipped than the one we stayed in the previous year (2018), but we still had a lovely time. The views of the night sky are unmatched and drinking a few brews with your feet hanging off the edge of the rocks is an other worldly sight to behold. Be aware that Bolan Lake is below the lookout and people can be heard down at the campground (fires, loud talking, dogs, etc.). There are better lookout towers to "get away from it all" if that's what you're looking for.