Kelly Butte Fire Lookout Hike – Washington Fire Lookouts

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Kelly Butte Fire Lookout - Easy Mt. Rainier, Washington Hike. Blog by Love Hard Travel Often

The Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike was our first hike after moving back to Washington this year and boy, it did NOT disappoint! This hike seriously has it all – epic views of Mt. Rainier, varied terrain, gorgeous sunsets, and an iconic Washington fire lookout.

While it’s challenging enough, it’s definitely a great “bang-for-your-buck” hike and the perfect easy/moderate hike to ease into hiking season.

Here’s all you need to know before you go on this incredible trek!

Where is Kelly Butte Fire Lookout?

Kelly Butte Fire Lookout is near Enumclaw, Washington in the Mt. Rainier area of Mt. Baker/Snowqualmie National Forest. It’s about 2 hours away from both Seattle and Tacoma, and just under 4 hours from Portland.

Overview of Kelly Butte Fire Lookout

Sitting on the edge of Kelly Butte Fire Lookout at sunset
Distance3.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain1,100 feet
Time1.5-2 hours roundtrip
DifficultyEasy/Moderate
Trailhead47.163292, -121.474251
Entrance fee$5 day pass
National ParkMt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest
Best time to visitJune to October
Bathroom/facilitiesNone

Local review of Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike

Kissing on the deck of the lookout with a view of Mt. Rainier

We have done dozens of hikes in the PNW, and this one is definitely in our top 5! Between the views, moderate difficulty and accessibility, it’s pretty hard to beat.

Mt. Rainier at sunset from the summit of Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike

We really enjoyed the varied terrain of the new trail and couldn’t get over the crystal clear views of Mt. Rainier. The views of Rainier rival Tolmie Peak, yet the hike is less than half the length and can be accessed earlier in the season. Minus the conditions of the road, we’d both give this hike a 10/10!

Kelly Butte Fire Lookout Trailhead

The newest trailhead is not the one listed here on Google maps. The trailhead is now around 47.163292, -121.474251. From the trailhead you can see a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier before starting your trek. There is very minimal signage and no facilities are located at the trailhead, but there is a small info board at the start of the hike that will let you know you’re in the right place.

Kelly Butte Trail

Hiking along the Kelly Butte Fire Lookout trail with Mt. Rainier in the background

From the parking lot you’ll get a gorgeous view of Mt. Rainier before you even begin. Once you take in that scene, continue towards the nondescript sign at the beginning of the trail. This trail has 3 distinct parts, about equidistant, which is really fun.

The first third of the trail is a wide, decently flat and shaded path. It appears this was formerly a drive-able road before they made the new trail.

The turn to begin the switchbacks and continue the climb is about 50 yards before the end of this road, so keep an eye out. However, if you have time, walk to the end of the road for epic views and photos, then backtrack to continue up.

The next portion of the trail consists of a series of narrow switchbacks. It’s not a long climb, but it is decently steep. These switchbacks offer very little shade, but this also means there are some killer Mt. Rainier views during this part! You’ll climb through cool rock walls and alongside stunning wildflowers during this portion, too.

Dense forests and sparse snow in the valley

The last part before the summit is a narrow trail through a meadow/forest area. Here you can get some of that shade you were missing and enjoy a flatter climb. We really enjoyed this portion of the trek, and we even got to see some cool snow amidst the forest in the distance!

The fire lookout wooden structure overlooking Mt. Rainier

Once you get to the summit there is so much to see! There are true 360 degree views where you can admire the valley, layers of the North Cascades and, of course, Mt. Rainier in all her glory. There’s also the iconic Washington fire lookout that has been beautifully restored. Grab a spot on the deck of the fire lookout to chill and have a snack before heading back down.

How long is Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike?

Hiking through the forest towards Mt. Rainier

The Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike is 3.4 miles roundtrip with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. It took us about 1 hour to get up and 40 minutes to get down. If we hadn’t stopped for photos every 5 minutes we could have gotten up in 40-50 minutes. There is a lot to explore at the top, too, so we spent over an hour up there enjoying and taking photos.

Is Kelly Butte Fire Lookout open?

Sitting and embracing on the Kelly Butte Fire Lookout deck at sunset

Yes, the Kelly Butte Fire Lookout Hike is currently open (June 2020). The inside of the fire lookout is closed up but the deck is open to enjoy! Generally, even in non-COVID times this fire lookout is only open if a forest service staffer or volunteer is present. Be sure to check local laws before you go, as things are changing often.

COVID requirements and precautions

As of June 26th, masks are required in Washington in all indoor public spaces and all outdoor spaces where you can’t keep 6 feet of distance. Many parts of this trail are narrow, so it’s important to have a mask accessible to put on for passing. I’d also recommend facing away from people when passing, not swapping phones/cameras to take photos for strangers and packing hand sanitizer to be extra careful during these times.

Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike cost and required pass

Sitting on the deck with rolling colorful mountains in the distance

A Northwest Forest Pass is required for the Kelly Butte hike. A day pass can be purchased online here for $5, printed at home and then displayed on the dash. You can also get an annual pass online here for $30.

How to get to Kelly Butte Fire Lookout

Embracing with a view of Mt. Rainier

To get to the Kelly Butte trailhead, take the 410 to Forest Road 70. Follow directions to 47.163292, -121.474251 in Google Maps (make sure you’ve downloaded offline maps). The WTA also has a great set of directions here that you can also find and save offline in their app.

Road Conditions at Kelly Butte Fire Lookout

WARNING: the NF road is currently pretty washed out. There is one part that is pretty bad where you have to go over a small river. After crossing that portion, the road has a bunch of deep potholes. Definitely recommend 4WD! We were extra cautious and felt fine in our 4WD Jeep, but I would not have been comfortable in our sedan. Many people that have tried to access in non-4WD vehicles have reported turning around, which would be a major bummer.

Parking at Kelly Butte Fire Lookout

There is a small parking lot at the trailhead here. When we arrived there were 7 or 8 cars and the lot was pretty full. If you can’t snag a spot there, park responsibly along NF-7030.

Best time to hike Kelly Butte Fire Lookout

Sunset from the deck of Kelly Butte Fire Lookout

The best time to hike Kelly Butte Fire Lookout is during the months of June through October. Depending on the year and the amount of snow, late May and early November can be nice too.

Sunset beams through the trees

It’s also best to visit on a clear day so you can enjoy the views of Mt. Rainier, and weekdays tend to be much less crowded. Sunset is an amazing time to visit but the views should be a 10/10 any time of day!

Is Kelly Butte safe to hike?

Looking out from the deck, admiring the 360 degree views

Yes, Kelly Butte felt very safe to hike. As long as you have a moderate level of fitness, come prepared (see what to bring below), and stay on the trail you should be fine. If you plan to go at sunrise or sunset, be extra careful in the dark. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, and don’t hike alone.

Camping at Kelly Butte

Layers and layers of mountains seen from the summit at sunset

Since Kelly Butte is a part of the National Forest, dispersed camping is allowed. While the fire lookout is closed up, you can still pitch a tent at the top and stay the night in paradise. Make sure you check the weather beforehand and come properly prepared, as it can get very chilly at night. As always, make sure to leave no trace! Check this out for all the rules of dispersed camping in Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest.

Are dogs allowed on the Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike?

Dog on the deck of Kelly Butte Fire Lookout

Yes! Leashed dogs are allowed on the hike (and encouraged if you’re a dog lover like me!). Please make sure to bring extra water for your cuties.

What to bring with you

Hiking Shoes
  • Athletic shoes – you definitely need athletic shoes or hiking boots to safely do this hike.
  • Water – don’t forget to pack ample water for you and your pup.
  • Sunscreen – since the trail has very little shade, it’s important to remember sunscreen.
  • Jacket – if you’re planning to go at either sunrise or sunset, don’t forget a jacket since the temperature and winds can change quickly.
  • Headlamp – while this is not 100% necessary (we survived without) a headlamp would be very useful if you plan to climb up or down in the dark
  • Camera – with the epic views this trail offers (both on the trail and at the summit!) you certainly don’t want to forget your camera.
  • Bug spray – although we didn’t come home with bites, we did encounter quite a few bugs on the trail. Bug spray would have been good to have!
  • Snacks – the picnic at the top is the best part of any hike, am I right??
  • Mask – masks are currently required in Washington state
  • Hand sanitizer – this is always nice to have, but it’s especially necessary during the pandemic.

Photography tips for Kelly Butte Fire Lookout

Sony camera with Mt. Rainier in the background
  • Bring both a zoom lens and a wide angle lens. We were SO happy we brought both of our lenses. While the zoom was best for lens compression techniques and the layers of mountains, the wide angle was necessary for our shots on the fire lookout deck. Check out the photography gear we use!
  • At Kelly Butte there are SO many different angles to photograph! Both along the trail and at the peak there are tons of photo ops. So my top tip is to play around and don’t get fixated on just one angle – you’ll be surprised at what you come up with as you wander around!
  • I know it’s gorgeous, but don’t get too caught up in shooting that you forget to head down before dark. We had to force ourselves to stop shooting the gorgeous colors but we were so glad we did when we got down the switchbacks before it was pitch black.
  • Other photographers will be up there. Take turns, be respectful, etc. But during the pandemic, I don’t recommend taking photos for each other/touching each other’s cameras.
  • If you want to up your photography game before you go, check out our online photography course! Currently 60% off!

Psst.. Did you know? All of the photos in this article are edited with our Lightroom Presets that we use to edit our photos! Check them out!

Are drones allowed at Kelly Butte Fire Lookout?

Sitting amidst the layers of mountains at sunset

Yes drones are allowed – wish we would have known! This is unique because most state and national parks have banned them, but since this is a national forest there are different rules. Make sure you are respectful of other hikers and follow FAA regulations when flying here.

Tips before you go

Red and orange glowing sunset in the mountains
  • Download Google Maps for the area before you go since service is limited.
  • Download WTA (Washington Trails Association) app and add the hike to your “backpack.” This stores all the hike info locally so you can access it offline.
  • There are no facilities or restrooms on this trail
  • Make sure you have ample gas in your car! The nearest station is over a half hour away.

Check out another gorgeous PNW getaway, Cannon Beach Oregon!

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Enjoy your hike!

Kylie & Scott

(If you liked this article or have any questions, please comment below! And make sure to follow along on Instagram @LoveHardTravelOften)

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Kelly Butte Fire Lookout - Easy Mt. Rainier, Washington Hike. Blog by Love Hard Travel Often
Kelly Butte Fire Lookout - everything you need to know for this epic Washington hike
Kelly Butte Fire Lookout - best hike in Washington state

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