ADK Fire Tower Challenge

Adventure. Stewardship. Community. These three words embody the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Fire Tower Challenge. Since 2001, thousands of people have been introduced to the Forest Preserve Parks—the Adirondack and Catskill Parks—through these historic mountain summits. Along the way, they have made friends, been inspired by incredible views, and learned about the importance of protecting public lands for future generations.

Submit Completion

25th Anniversary Events

2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the Fire Tower Challenge. To celebrate, the ADK's Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter is hosting several events.

Looking Out: Perspectives on 25 Years of the Adirondack Mountain Club Fire Tower Challenge

The fire towers of the Adirondacks and Catskills have transitioned from vital fire-detection tools to iconic symbols of conservation and recreation. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the ADK Fire Tower Challenge, and to celebrate, the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club and the Saratoga Springs Public Library are hosting a panel discussion on May 20 at 7:00 PM.

The event will be held at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

"Go Take A (Fire Tower) Hike" Month

ADK chapter outings leaders are invited to consider adding fire tower hikes to their July outings offerings. These hikes are a great way to introduce everyone to the iconic fire towers of the Adirondacks and Catskills and to build awareness of the new Adirondack Mountain Club Fire Tower Challenge 2.0. Fire tower hikes offer something for everyone—history, rewarding climbs, and unforgettable views—and they’re a perfect fit for group outings of all abilities.

Do you have fire tower stories? ADK’s oral history project, ADK Voices, would love to record them. Email: [email protected]

For more information or questions, or to share photos from your fire tower hikes, please contact: [email protected]

Taking the Challenge

To complete the ADK Fire Tower Challenge and receive the official patch:

1. Climb and document, by date, ascents of at least 23 fire tower summits: 18 of 27 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits. Climbing each tower is not required, nor is it recommended for those towers that need additional restoration measures for safe public use.
2. Submit proof of stewardship as a part of your completion form. This can include a completed Leave No Trace 101 course, photos from a volunteer project that you attended, and other examples of public land stewardship including projects sponsored by our partner, the New York State Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association.
3. Note that each mountain should have a standing fire tower on the date of your ascent.
4. In addition to recording the dates of your climbs on the list provided, we hope you'll record the details of your hikes: your impressions, companions, weather, wildlife sightings, and whatever else merits your attention.
5. Read, sign, and agree to abide by the tenets of the ADK Fire Tower Challenge Pledge. 

To complete the winter version of the Fire Tower Challenge and receive the official "rocker” patch, challengers must complete their tower-trail hikes between December 21 and March 21, inclusive. Be advised that hikers should not climb the towers themselves between these dates. Fire towers are extremely unsafe in the winter—high winds can pose additional risks and stairs are often covered in ice and snow. Additionally, crampon spikes do irreparable damage to the wooden steps.

Before starting the challenge, ADK strongly encourages all participants to review the Leave No Trace guidance for hiking challenges, which was developed by ADK and Leave No Trace through funding support from the Adirondack Community Recreation Alliance.

Those looking for a guide to fire tower trails should consider picking up a copy of Views from on High: Fire Tower Trails in the Adirondacks and Catskills. This guidebook, first published by ADK in 2001, includes detailed trail descriptions accompanied by maps and numerous photographs.

Prefer a pen and paper? Download the printable ADK Fire Tower Challenge log!

$15 checks can be made payable to "ADK Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter" and mailed to the following address:

ADK Fire Tower Challenge
Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter Adirondack Mountain Club
P.O. Box 2314
Glens Falls, NY 12801 

Questions? Email [email protected] for more information.

The Fire Towers

Adirondack Park

• Azure Mountain
• Bald (Rondaxe) Mountain
• Belfry Mountain
• Black Mountain
• Blue Mountain
• Buck Mountain
• Cathedral Rock
• Goodnow Mountain
• Gore Mountain**
• Hadley Mountain
• Hurricane Mountain
• Kane Mountain
• Loon Lake Mountain
•  Lyon Mountain
•  Mount Adams
•  Mount Arab
•  Owls Head Mountain
•  Pillsbury Mountain
•  Poke-o-Moonshine Mountain

•  Snowy Mountain
•  Spruce Mountain*
  
•  Stillwater Mountain*
•  St. Regis Mountain
•  Swede Mountain*
•  Vanderwhacker Mountain
•  Wakely Mountain
•  Woodhull Mountain

Catskill Park

• Balsam Lake Mountain
• Hunter Mountain**
• Overlook Mountain
• Red Hill
• Mount Tremper

*Closed during hunting season.

**Ascents using ski lifts do not count for these mountains.

Goodnow Mountain Update

The Goodnow Mountain Trail and newly restored Fire Tower are open as of October 8, 2025. The trail is open daily from dawn to dusk. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Camping and campfires are prohibited.

Gore Mountain Update

Effective April 15, 2026, Gore Mountain Fire Tower returns to the Adirondack Mountain Club Fire Tower Challenge now that the Gore Mountain ski season has ended.

Fire Tower Cab Closures

As you work on completing the ADK Fire Tower Challenge, you may find that some cabs are closed. Climbing each fire tower is not a requirement of the challenge. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please do not climb to closed cabs.

The following fire tower cabs are inaccessible and permanently closed: Black Mountain, Gore Mountain, Loon Lake Mountain, Woodhull Mountain

The following fire tower cabs are unsafe and temporarily closed: Spruce Mountain   

Hunting Season

Some fire tower trails are closed during hunting season. The dates below are inclusive. Due to easements with the landowners, the closure dates listed below may be different than dates listed on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website.

Stillwater Mountain: October 14 through December 20, 2025. Stillwater Mountain hunting season is always the second Tuesday of October through December 20.

Swede Mountain: September 11 through December 15, 2025.

Spruce Mountain: October 25 through December 7, 2025.