Lookout Details

Registry Numbers	US 246, NJ 8 (view other lookouts in United States, New Jersey)
Date Registered	December 15, 1997
Nominated by	Eric Weber
Location	Morris County, New Jersey
Coordinates	N 40° 53.704' W 074° 45.026' (view using Google Maps) N 40° 53' 42" W 074° 45' 02" N 40.895067° W 074.750433°
Elevation	1,182 ft (360 m)
Built	1924
Administered by	New Jersey Forest Fire Service

Description

Originally known in 1905 as the “95 Mile Tree Lookout” because of its location at Mile 95 of the old state turnpike on the west shore of New Jersey’s largest fresh water lake, Budd Lake has served as a lookout point for 92 years.

The current 60-foot steel Aermotor tower with 7’ x 7’ metal cab was constructed in 1924. It is the only lookout in the state equipped with an Osborne fire finder and is active. The tower was repainted in April 2023.

Visit Reports

April 23, 2023: Eric Weber

Condition
Needs paint?	No
Shutters OK?	Not Applicable
Condition of wood OK?	Not Applicable
Stairs OK?	Yes
Glass intact?	Yes
Good condition?	Yes
Comments:	Site recently had steel work done and a new paint job.
Electronics and Enroachments
Are electronic sites enroaching on tower?	Yes
Comments:	Other radio equipment installed on tower.
Access and Signs
NHLR sign posted?	No
Directions to tower signed?	No
Comments?	Park at pavement end of Fire Tower Road, short walk up fire road to tower.
Staffing
Staffed?	Sometimes Seasonally by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Opportunities for Volunteer Support
Volunteers staffing opportunities?	No
Volunteer maintenance opportunities?	No

February 20, 2015: Jan Braidech

Condition
Needs paint?	No Response
Shutters OK?	Yes
Condition of wood OK?	Yes
Stairs OK?	Yes
Glass intact?	No Response
Good condition?	Yes
Electronics and Enroachments
Are electronic sites enroaching on tower?	No
Other enroachments?	Trees and/or tree branches should be considered cut back as we understand that we should have been able to see Budd Lake from Milton fire tower.
Access and Signs
NHLR sign posted?	No
Directions to tower signed?	No
Staffing
Staffed?	Yes I had a visit with Matt Watson who was manning the tower at the time. He was willing to answer all my questions. He was prepared in case of fire...
Opportunities for Volunteer Support
Volunteers staffing opportunities?	No Response
Volunteer maintenance opportunities?	No Response
Other Comments
Comments	As of April 2016, we could not see Budd Lake fire tower from Milton fire tower as it was blocked by tree growth. (We think at least branches need to be taken down.)