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
| Distance | 1.5-2 hours round-trip |
| Elevation gain | 1,100 feet |
| Time | 1.5-2 hours roundtrip |
| Difficulty | Easy/Moderate |
| Trailhead | 47.163292, -121.474251 |
| Entrance fee | $5 day pass |
| National Park | Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest |
| Best time to visit | June to October |
| Bathroom/facilities | None |
Local review of the Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike
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.
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
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 drivable 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.
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!
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 the Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike?
The Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike is 3.4 miles round-trip 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?
Yes, the Kelly Butte Fire Lookout Hike is currently open. The inside of the fire lookout is closed up, but the deck is open to enjoy! 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.
Kelly Butte Fire Lookout hike cost and required pass
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 dashboard. You can also get an annual pass online here for $30.
How to get to Kelly Butte Fire Lookout
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
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 who 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
The best time to hike Kelly Butte Fire Lookout is from June through October. Depending on the year and the amount of snow, late May and early November can be nice too.
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?
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
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?
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
- 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 one), 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
- 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 used!
- 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.
Are drones allowed at Kelly Butte Fire Lookout?
Yes, drones are allowed – wish we had 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
- Download Google Maps for the area before you go, since service is limited.
- Download the 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 half an hour away.
