Historic Fire Lookouts

James T. Saban Lookout

James T. Saban Lookout was named in honor of a Civilian Conservation Corps foreman at Tensleep Camp F-35 and former Forest Service ranger from Hyattville, Wyoming. Mr. Saban died on August 21, 1937, from injuries sustained while fighting the Blackwater Fire in the Shoshone National Forest. This fire lookout was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1942. In September 2016, the Forest Service nominated James T. Saban Lookout for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

This lookout is a popular destination for hikers. This fairly steep trail is about half a mile long and winds through beautiful rock formations and large heavy timber. To visit the lookout, drive west from Buffalo on U.S. Highway 16 for about 35 miles. Turn left onto Forest System Road 429. Continue for about one mile and turn right onto the road to the lookout. 

Sheep Mountain Lookout

Constructed in 1950 atop Sheep Mountain at an elevation of 9,600 feet, the Sheep Mountain Lookout was used as a fire lookout until the 1970s. Visitors enjoy panoramic views of the scenic mountain peaks that make up the backbone of the Bighorn Mountains in the Cloud Peak Wilderness around to the Powder River Basin and on a clear day, possibly a view of Devils Tower National Monument.

Sheep Mountain Lookout is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This lookout offers visitors a rare experience being one of the few fire lookouts in the region available for overnight rental and is one of three recreation rentals available in the Bighorn National Forest. Recreation fees provide revenue and make a meaningful difference for Forest visitors by protecting and preserving historic structures. Rental fees from the Sheep Mountain Lookout have been used to rebuild the lookout's catwalk and make other repairs.  The lookout is located off Forest System Road 429.  Take Forest System Trail 070 for less than half a mile through thick forest and interesting rock formations to the lookout.

Black Mountain Lookout

Constructed on the rocky exposed peak of Black Mountain in 1939, the lookout served as part of an early fire detection program. It was used until 1980 until other methods such as airplane flights took over the need for staffing remote fire lookout towers. Later, the site served as a part of a Forest Service radio communication system and housed a tower, batteries, and other needed equipment.  The communication site was moved to a less hostile environment after high winds and extreme temperatures repeatedly damaged the equipment and tower. The lookout was refurbished around 2017, but the extreme weather continues to damage the historic building.  

Currently, the catwalk is closed to public entry.  Repair plans are being made in hopes that this popular hiking destination can be open again in the near future.  The trail remains open to the summit, but the catwalk and building are closed for structural reasons. The trail can be reached at the end of Forest System Road (FSR) 222 off Black Mountain Road, FSR 16. The trail is approximately one mile but very steep.  Most of the trail is open to motorized vehicles less than 50 inches in width but about the last 300 yards is non-motorized single track.