Location: Twin Peaks, California
Hours:
- Monday-Sunday (9 AM-5 PM) Memorial Day-Labor Day
Overview
Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, a short 15 minute drive from Lake Arrowhead or 45 minutes from Big Bear Lake, is the neat Strawberry Peak Lookout, which is technically located in the town of Twin Peaks. This fire lookout was built in 1933 and is still standing today
Although we did not plan on visiting the Strawberry Peak Fire Lookout, I had seen some familiar green structures above us as we drove up the mountain. I went to Google maps and found that it was the fire lookout. I asked my wife if she could turn around and if we could check it out. It only took us a few minutes to arrive at the parking area for the fire lookout.
There are a few other great fire lookouts in the area as well, such as the Butler Peak Fire Lookout in Big Bear. The road to this lookout is often beat up and there’s a small, steep hike to reach the top. The Morton Fire lookout is relatively close as well and on this trip we had planned to visit the Keller Peak Fire Lookout near Big Bear Lake. However, the Keller Peak Fire Lookout sadly burned down two months prior to our visit in September of 2024 in the line fire.
Visiting Strawberry Peak Fire Lookout
There is a winding road that led us right to the base of the fire lookout. The lookout is generally open from Memorial Day-Labor Day but we visited in November as the weather was still good and it was still open. Unfortunately for me, my 3 year old daughter was sleeping and my wife didn’t want to wake her. My wife urged me to take the quick trip up the fire lookout and check it out.
Five people are allowed up the three story lookout at a time. A steep stairwell leads to the top with fabulous views of the San Bernardino Mountains. There are a few volunteers at the top who hang out inside and who are more than willing to give information to visitors. While the fire lookout might not blow most people away, its still a pretty neat, unique sight to check out.
