Rich Mountain Fire Tower — Attraction in Hot Springs

Made it to the tower by car - a hike might have given a different, better experience. However, it is about 15 minutes by car to the top. 4wd recommended but not a must. The tower and location itself is not that impressive. View in SW direction is partly blocked by trees and the top itself, with a mobile tower adjacent, nothing special. If you want to go by car to the tower, make a turn from the highway left (comin from Hot Springs) just after going under an overpass (the AT footbridge). Then turn right (left is a parking space and the trail starts, midlle... I don't know). The road is paved for about a mile, with a left turn after 1/2 mile or so. It then gets gravel and you go around the mountain counter-clockwise. There is no parking space really on the top, but a few cars can...

This was a nice break from hiking the AT. Its only 0.15 miles from the actual trail. Its all uphill though. There was a service road going to the tower but i don't know where it goes. The tower itself is solid and looks recently built. There are handrails and the stairs don't creek. There are only two sets of stairs and the top has a roof. The roofed room has windows without glass and there is a balcony that wraps around. The views are spectacular but on one side it's ruined by a cell tower. I had lunch up there in the room but the floor is grated and not comfortable to sit on. I highly recommend a...

I am 61 and 3 yrs post chemo & still working to regain my strength. I underestimated this hike. IMO, I found this a more difficult-moderate hike compared to other moderate hikes I've done (I am no expert). We began this hike too late in the day given my lack of ability, therefore, I was not able to finish as we could have run out of daylight. I could see it, but knew it would take me another 20 minutes to reach it. I plan to do it again in a couple weeks but will arrive early so I'm not under any time constraints. Very well maintained, lots of tree roots (to be expected),...