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Climb 143 Steps To The Top Of The Devil’s Head Fire Tower In Colorado And You Can See For Hundreds Of Miles

Devil's Head Fire Tower offers a unique historical hike with stunning 360-degree views in Colorado's Front Range.

Published Mar 14, 2023

Written by 

Annie Sandmeier

Back in the day, fire lookouts were a big thing, with tall buildings high in the mountains being staffed with a forest ranger who would watch for smoke or any other potential natural disaster. Today, this kind of structure is hard to come by, which makes the historical Devil's Head Fire Tower and its short and sweet hike even more unique:

Hiding out along the Front Range near Sedalia, the Devil's Head Fire Tower is a 50-year-old+ building that, while no longer in use, is a unique sight to behold!

A rocky outcrop with a small lookout tower on top, surrounded by pine trees and a cloudy sky.
Google/Tim Lozano

Initially built in 1919 (and later remodeled in 1951), the Devil's Head Fire Tower sits at the highest point of Rampart Range and is one of the last of its kind along the Front Range.

A lookout tower on a rocky peak, surrounded by clouds and mountains, with people enjoying the view.
Google/Ben Kelsey

Deemed easy to moderate, the trail to the Devil's Head Fire Tower is a breezy 2.8 miles round-trip, plus the 143 steps it takes to climb to the top of the lookout.

A steep metal staircase leads up a rocky cliff, surrounded by trees and a cloudy sky.
Google/Nathan Cragg

Thanks to its elevation at 9,748 feet, hikers can see for hundreds of miles on a clear day, making for absolutely pristine 360-degree views of the surrounding forests.

A panoramic view of rocky mountains and dense green forests under a cloudy sky.
Google/Gerald Watkins

The Devil's Head Fire Tower and its trail are open from May through November.

Wooden sign for Devils Head Fire Lookout, noting 143 steps above cabin and elevation of 9,748 feet, Pike National Forest.
Google/Troy Moore

To learn more about the Devil's Head Fire Tower - including current conditions - please visit the U.S. Forest Service's website.

A lookout tower on a rocky outcrop, with people enjoying the panoramic mountain view under a blue sky with clouds.
Google/Tim Andes

From Sedalia, the Devil's Head Fire Tower and trail can be accessed by taking Highway 67 for 10 miles, turning left (south) when you come to Rampart Range Road, and following it another 8 1/2 miles to the Trailhead.

A dog stands on a wooden deck overlooking a vast mountain landscape under a clear blue sky.
Google/Heather Brown

Check out our video on the Devil's Head Lookout trail here, and follow the OnlyInYourState TikTok account for more incredible travel content.

@onlyinyourstate What's an amazing place YOU'VE discovered because of OnlyInYourState? Our Director of Operations found Devils Head Lookout in Colorado! Watch to discover it for yourself. ✨???? Photos: Berstler/Shutterstock, Tim Pleasant/Shutterstock, Kent Raney/Shutterstock, Chris Barnard/All Trails . #onlyinyourstate #hikingtrails #coloradoadventures #coloradohiking #coloradohikingtrails #coloradolife #usatravel #traveltiktok #travelguide #hikingtok #ustraveldestinations ♬ Warm Nights

Do you have a favorite attraction, event, or restaurant that you would like to see featured on Only in Colorado? Nominate it here! For even more of our favorite Only in Colorado hikes, check out The Awesome Hike In Colorado That Will Take You Straight To An Abandoned Castle.

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