Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower

This place is absolutely beautiful! I’ve gone here many times throughout growing up in Bloomington , but I don’t remember the last time I went during the Fall. 100% the most beautiful view in Southern Indiana during Fall.

Great parking area for backpacking the Deam Wilderness. Arrived early and started with a trip up the tower. Great warm up before hitting the trail 🥾. Took Axsom Trail to Peninsula Trail to camp. The parking lot can get busy especially on weekends during peak time.

Hello Autumn 🍂 this is one of my favorite places to see the beauty of the leaves changing every year! Climbing the fire tower is always a good stair workout and so worth it when you get to the top!

This tower offers a wonderful view of Charles C. Deam Wilderness! The stairs are a bit short, so use caution when descending. There are many dispersed campsites and horse camps nearby as well!

One of my favorite towers to climb in the area. 110 feet tall and you can see for miles! Good hiking in the area as well. Many trails for Mountain Biking as well.

The lookout tower is such a beautiful place to see the surrounding area. You can see for many miles in all directions from the top and an amazing place to see the fall colors if you go in autumn.

This Place is Amazing. Amazing Amazing.. They have a tower it is wiggling but Amazing view. You can seeeee everything. Then the trail is off the chain Amazing. At the end it comes to a graveyard. My boys lived this trail just loves.

These old fire watch towers you'll see in state parks and recreational areas are neat pieces of history. This one is still in good condition and the view from the top is great.

You won't see the waterfront from here but you'll see great examples of the rolling landscape made of steep hills and valleys.

Worth the climb.

Excellent view from the top of the tower. One should climb up and down the stairs cautiously as the edges are slippery due to normal wear and tear.

This is the tallest fire tower in Indiana. 133 metal steps to the top. 110 feet gets you over the trees. 5-6 miles gravel road with parking by the tower.

Cool place. The cicadas are very loud and flying everywhere. Very nice view from atop the firetower. Several miles on a winding gravel road to get there.

Amazing view! A little scary getting to the top. It’s definitely shaky and not for those afraid of heights. We also didn’t realize it would take driving six miles on a windy gravel road to get there. It wasn’t too bad, but it’s definitely something to note! Overall, it was worth the view!

Unique spot near Lake Monroe. Nice view from Bedford to Bloomington. Gravel road goes all the way into Brown County. Some ponds, and a graveyard a bit farther in. Some camping spots still there I believe. Cool at night and daytime. Pretty safe to do your own thing 🤘

Always love exploring on Deam. Views from the tower were as beautiful as always 💚

We went here is June absolutely loved it. We need to come back here again love the view.

Great place to park while enjoying the Deam Wilderness! The tower itself is what it is: a tower, and it goes up - neat. The area surrounding it? Stellar. Great hiking, beautiful landscape: a fun place to backpack, find your campsite anywhere you want. That said, there are established sites as well, all pretty much right on the trail.

Pure panic getting to the top...
But it was beautiful 😍

It's a little bit of a sketchy climb to the top, but once you get there it is an incredible 360° view that can't be beat. I would definitely recommend to everyone as long as you aren't to afraid of heights.

Wonderful place to go if you doing mind heights then I highly recommend you make the trip to the top

Great views, specially during the fall season.