Panther Top Fire Tower to be open to the public

News, Outdoors, Press Release
Panther Top Fire Tower

CONCERNING THE PANTHER TOP FIRE TOWER NEAR MURPHY, FROM THE USDA FOREST SERVICE, TUSQUITEE RANGER DISTRICT:

MURPHY, NC – The United State Department of Agriculture Forest Service recently announced that it is opening the Panther Top Fire Tower to the general public for viewing purposes on four upcoming dates.

The tower is normally closed to the public but is often opened during the peak time for viewing the seasonal foliage change.

The tower will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 26 and 27 and Nov. 2 and 3. It was previously announced that the tower would also be open Nov. 5.

The tower is located in Cherokee County, approximately eight miles west of downtown Murphy, N.C., near Hiwassee Lake. The 30-foot tall lookout tower was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940.

Standing atop a 2,293-foot summit, the Panther Top Fire Tower is the lowest situated lookout tower in western North Carolina, and it is also the most western tower in the state.

The statement also said that other dates may be added depending on weather and leaf-viewing opportunities.

For more information, call the Tusquitee Ranger District Office at 828-837-5152.

Directions to the Panther Top Tower from Murphy:

  • Take Hwy. 64 West for approximately seven miles;
  • Turn right onto NC 294, then go 0.8 miles to Panther Top Road (SR 1303), and travel for two miles;
  • When the road forks and the pavement becomes gravel, take a right and continue on Panther Top Road for another one mile;
  • At the top of the hill, turn left; and,
  • Continue for approximately one-half mile to the tower.
Panther Top Fire Tower

The Panther Top Fire Tower is located approximately eight miles west of Murphy, N.C.

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