Completed in 1934, Shadow Mountain Lookout lies in the western shadow (sunrise) of the Rocky Mountains in the southwestern corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. The site was first used for fire detection in 1930 when a phone line was run to the summit from Grand Lake Ranger Station. Construction of the rustic L-4 cab (NPS design) with catwalk was to begin in1931, but the bids were too high. Work got under way in 1932 on the two story natural stone tower and was completed the following year. The lookout was in service until 1969 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

As of 2019, the cab exterior is in poor condition.  Stone tower in poor condition.  Looking for funding to replace catwalk decking and joists.  “Roof is good, decking and support beams are rotted and falling off.”  There is a mix of paid staff and volunteers staffing the lookout only during high severity.