Thorny Mountain Fire Tower Stay
I’ve been excited for this trip since last August when I booked it at 12:01am - overnight stay at Thorny Mountain Fire Tower in Seneca Forest. A 65 foot tower with 360 degree views of the forest and night sky.
On our way down, we picked up bagels and pastries at Belington Bagel Bakery before our first stop at Seneca Rocks for a hike up to the overlook. Our 5 yr old, Dylan did great - looking for different bugs and collecting rocks and leaves while asking a million questions about nature and animals along the way.
Lunch at Yokum’s Grill of fried bologna sandwich, cheesesteak and raspberry cider.
Headed to Seneca Forest Park HQ to get the keys to drive to the tower and get settled in. We used the pulley system and carrying stuff up the stairs. Checked out the amazing views and played cards for a bit before starting a fire. Grilled hot dogs and made s’mores cones for dessert before heading back up the stairs to watch the sunset. All the windows gave such a nice breeze and pitch black skies to gaze at the stars. Watched the sunrise, ate our bagels for breakfast and packed up.
No running water, No electricity, No cell service.
2 small cots and 4 folding chairs.
Fire pit and picnic table under pavilion at the bottom.
You can park right below the tower.
Pit toilet and dry wood available in a shed.
Bring water, flashlights if need to go up / down at night and I’d suggest a lantern or battery lights to hang if want a little glow in the tower after the sun goes down to pitch black for miles!
After the longgggg drive up - a stop and wander around Spruce Knob - Dylan didn’t remember it from the last time of course but he had fun climbing in the rocks and through the trees.
Lunch at Big Belly Deli in Davis before stopping for pepperoni rolls at Mt Top Convenience in Thomas for the ride home.
Can’t wait to book another stay in the tower!
