Devil's Head
Colorado's last active fire lookout, perched on a granite pinnacle atop the Rampart Range.
About Devil's Head
Devil's Head Lookout sits on the highest point of the Rampart Range, at 9,748 feet, in the Pike National Forest southwest of Sedalia. A trail of about 1.4 miles climbs from the Devil's Head campground and picnic area through shaded forest and granite boulders to a small meadow and ranger cabin, then 143 steep steps lead up the rock to the lookout cab.
From the top you get a 360-degree view across the Front Range: Pikes Peak to the south, the plains stretching east, and peaks along the Continental Divide to the west. It is a short hike with an outsized reward, and a fine introduction to the foothills for kids.
The lookout is still staffed during fire season, which makes it a working piece of history rather than a museum.
A granite outcropping west of Castle Rock, visible from as far as Woodland Park, and home to the only fire lookout tower in Colorado still staffed by the National Forest Service — enough to earn it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The lookout tower views stretch across the Rampart Range for a hundred miles in every direction, which is reason enough on its own, and the tower structure itself makes a strong subject against a sunset sky.
History
A fire lookout station was established here in 1912, and the first tower went up in 1919. Helen Dowe, Colorado's first female fire lookout, worked here from 1919 to 1921. The Civilian Conservation Corps built a trail in 1936, and the current tower and ranger cabin date to 1951, when a crew from Fort Carson completed the structure and a new 1.4-mile trail was laid out.
The lookout was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains the only active lookout tower in Colorado. The summit itself is a pinnacle of Pikes Peak granite, the same rock that makes up the boulders along the trail.
Photographing Devil's Head
Best light: Tower access depends on the staffed hours, so you will usually be shooting midday from the top; look for days with building cumulus clouds over the Divide for drama. For warm light, work the granite formations along the trail and around the base late in the day, and come in late September when aspens color the slopes below.
Shots to look for
- The lookout cab perched on its granite pinnacle, shot from the meadow below with a wide lens looking up the staircase
- Pikes Peak to the south from the lookout catwalk, with a short telephoto to compress the ridges of the Rampart Range
- Rounded Pikes Peak granite boulders and twisted pines along the trail as foreground for the long views
- The ranger cabin in the meadow with the tower above, a classic historic-lookout scene
Photo tips
- Respect the lookout staff; the cab is a working fire station and visitor numbers on top may be limited
- The 143 steps are steep and exposed — keep camera gear stowed and one hand on the rail
- Summer parking fills quickly; arrive early on weekends
- Rampart Range Road is unpaved and dusty — protect your gear
- Afternoon lightning is a real hazard on an exposed summit; get down if storms build
Know before you go
- Rampart Range Road is usually closed from about December to early April
- The tower is typically staffed from mid-May through mid-September, but opening depends on weather and staffing
- Do not climb the stairs during thunderstorms
- Parking is limited and the trail is busy on summer weekends
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Devil's Head Lookout hike?
About 2.7 to 2.8 miles round trip with roughly 900 feet of gain, plus 143 steps to the lookout.
Is Devil's Head Lookout still staffed?
Yes. It is the only active fire lookout in Colorado and is usually staffed from mid-May through mid-September.
When is the road to Devil's Head open?
Rampart Range Road is generally closed from about December to early April. Check with the Pike National Forest for current conditions.
Combine it with
Roxborough State Park · Rampart Range Road · Castlewood Canyon State Park · Pikes Peak
More Colorado spots
Sources & further reading: coloradoencyclopedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · hikingproject.com. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.