Albert Mountain Fire Tower


Albert Mountain Fire Tower:  Albert Mountain is a mountain in North Carolina's Nantahala Range of the Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Trail goes along its summit, which is around 5,200 feet high.  A fire tower offers views of the Blue Ridge and the Little Tennessee River valley.  A log lookout cabin has existed on Albert's Mountain since as early as 1942. In 1951, a steel tower was built on Albert Mountain's summit to supplant the abandoned lookout towers on Big Pinnacle Mountain and Standing Indian Mountain and to provide fire detection for the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory. The steel tower has a height of 55 feet. The tower offers views of the Nantahala Mountains and the Little Tennessee River Valley. The Great Smoky Mountains and the Great Balsam Mountains are also visible from the fire tower.  Located at 99.7 mile mark on the Appalachian Trail.

At a Glance

Current Conditions: The top of the tower is inaccessible.
Restrictions: Inaccessible by vehicle during seasonal closures from December 31-April 1.
Closest Towns: Franklin, NC

General Information

Directions:

Located in the Standing Indian Basin, take Forest Service Road 67 12 miles past the Backcountry Information Board to the end of the road.  There is a small gravel parking area.  Follow the old grassy road bed to the far right of the parking area to the Appalachian Trail.  Go right, uphill, following the rocky trail to the tower.

.5 mile one way;  Moderate


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Day Hiking