Olson Observation Tower, Fire lookout tower in Tucker County, West Virginia, United States
Olson Observation Tower is a steel structure with a staircase that rises to an elevation of 3,736 feet, offering views across Cheat River, Blackwater Canyon, and Monongahela National Forest. The tower was designed with a walkable platform at the top where visitors can stand and take in the surrounding landscape.
An earlier structure was built in 1922 and was among the first of its kind in West Virginia, before being replaced in 1963 with the current version. Renaming it after Ernst B. Olson honored his decades of service in regional forest management.
The tower served as an important landmark for forest management in the region, reflecting how communities organized their approach to fire prevention. Visitors walking up the steps can experience the practical reality of how lookout work shaped local conservation.
The tower operates from April through December and is accessible via Forest Road 717 from US Route 219. Visitors should note that while the observation cab at the top is closed, the platform itself is open to walk on.
The 360-degree view from the top includes the Otter Creek Wilderness and Canaan Mountain, areas that attract nature watchers wanting to see the less visited parts of the national forest. This vista is available year-round, even after regular operating season ends.
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