Background

The Tusayan Lookout Tree: A Window to the Past

Discover a piece of early 1900s forest conservation at the historic Tusayan Lookout Tree in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona.

5

The Tusayan Lookout Tree, located in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, is a preserved example of early 20th-century fire detection methods. Forest rangers would modify tall trees into lookout points to spot wildfires, representing a pioneering approach to forest conservation.

A brief summary to The Tusayan Lookout Tree

  • 451 Forest Service Rd 2607, Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, 86023, US

Local tips

  • The tree is easily accessible and located near the Tusayan Sports Complex.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Grand Canyon Village for a full day of exploration.
  • Remember that roads to some lookout trees may be dirt roads that are seasonally impassable.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Driving

    From Highway 64, turn onto Long Jim Loop Road. Turn off of Long Jim Loop at the Tusayan Sports Complex onto Fire Rd. 2607. Turn right at the electric station; the tree and its sign are just beyond the station on the right. Parking is free and readily available near the site.

  • Public Transport

    Take the Tusayan (Purple) Route shuttle bus from various points in Tusayan to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. From there, transfer to another shuttle or drive to Fire Rd. 2607. The Tusayan (Purple) Route is free, but a park pass is required to enter the Grand Canyon National Park.

Unlock the Best of The Tusayan Lookout Tree

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about The Tusayan Lookout Tree

The Tusayan Lookout Tree stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of early forest rangers in the American West. In the early 1900s, the U.S. Forest Service faced the daunting task of protecting vast expanses of forest with limited resources. To combat the threat of wildfires, rangers would seek out the highest vantage points in the landscape and transform tall Ponderosa pine trees into makeshift fire lookouts. These lookout trees were created by lopping off the top of a carefully selected tree and constructing a platform. This platform was then equipped with essential tools such as a railing, a chair, a telephone, a map board, and a compass. From this elevated perch, a fire lookout could scan the horizon for any signs of smoke, and quickly report the location of a fire to a patrolman, known as a smoke chaser. The Kaibab National Forest employed lookout trees from 1905 through the 1940s. By the 1930s, more permanent wooden and steel towers began to replace the trees. Today, the Tusayan Lookout Tree serves as a tangible reminder of this early chapter in forest conservation history.

Popular Experiences near The Tusayan Lookout Tree

Popular Hotels near The Tusayan Lookout Tree

Select Currency