Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Observation Station
Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Observation Station, Fire observation station on Balsam Lake Mountain, New York
The steel frame fire lookout tower stands at the mountain summit alongside an observer cabin and support facilities in Ulster County.
The first fire lookout tower at this location was constructed in 1887, making it the earliest fire observation point in New York State.
The tower remains a central point for educational programs about forest conservation and early fire detection methods in the Catskill Mountains.
Visitors can reach the observation station through marked hiking trails from Mill Brook Road, with the northern route being the most direct path.
Former observers documented encounters with over 900 porcupines near the cabin while protecting the structure from these persistent animals.
Location: Ulster County
Inception: 1930
GPS coordinates: 42.04558,-74.59476
Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:24
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