Facility · Wyoming ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Black Hills National Forest (NF) · Open Access
The original Cement Ridge Fire Lookout was built between 1911 and 1913. At that time it was a one-room log cabin with a shingle roof. In 1921, a crow’s nest with a glassed-in house was constructed. A new lookout was finished in 1941. This is the tower that you see today.
Over the years there have been many maintenance projects conducted on the lookout. In 1974, the cab siding, some planks in the catwalk, steps and wall studs were replaced. The interior was repainted, the siding stained, and the catwalk railing and steps were painted. The ground floor window frames and door were also replaced at that time. The lookout is considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and was listed on the National Historic Lookout Register on December 30, 1993. Brochure (.pdf)
44.35500, -104.07500 · 44°21'18.0"N 104°4'30.0"W
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.1 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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