Monday, June 23
The USDA Forest Service allows the public to rent surplus historic properties on the National Forests for overnight use. Over 150 properties are available, mostly in the western USA. Fees collected are used for the maintenance and preservation of the properties. Some properties are managed by local nonprofit organizations or commercial campground concessionaires.
Heritage Resources: Fire lookout towers are perhaps the best-known of the Forest Service's historic structures. They come in a variety of styles from ground cabins to small cabs atop 70-foot steel towers. Some are accessible only by foot or snowmobiles in the winter. All are situated atop mountains where they have a clear view of their surroundings. The majority of rental properties are surplus ranger stations, rustic frame or log buildings located by themselves or in small compounds in wooded settings through the national forests. All are accessible by car. Most lookouts and ranger stations were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.