Frypan Mountain Lookout Tower NC

Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower is a secret favorite amongst many locals and adventurers alike. Unlike many of the trails in North Carolina (*cough cough* Chimney Rock and Crowder’s Mountain *cough*), the trail to the tower isn’t crowded. It’s manageable to hike, and there are 360 degree views at the top. So, if you are looking for a picturesque spot while avoiding the crowds, this is the place for you.

About Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower

The Fryingpan Tower is located about 22 miles from Asheville, North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 70 ft. tall fire tower was built on top of the Fryingpan Mountain (hence the name) in 1941, and it was used to spot forest fires until the 1990s.

The best times to come are from April through late September. (It can get chilly on top of the mountain, so if you do decide to go in the colder months, be sure to dress warmly!)

Directions to Fryingpan Tower NC

Like mentioned before, the tower is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway about 22 miles from Asheville. You can easily find the gravel parking lot at mile marker 409.6 (or at the entrance to the Forest Service Road 450). You can also find it by simply searching “Frying Pan Tower Rd.” on your GPS.

Hiking Fryingpan Tower

The hike to the base of the tower is about 1.5 miles up hill. You will catch glimpses of different kinds of wild flowers and people walking their dogs along the way. So if you have a pup, you will want to make sure that they are on a leash in the event that there are other pups enjoying nature too!

After reaching the top of the tower, you will see the Balsam Mountains, Cold Mountain, Great Smokey Mountains, and Looking Glass Rock. It is truly a beautiful place to visit!