Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower

Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower is a favorite hike of mine in Unicoi County, Tennessee.

The nice thing about this hike is there are several options to get to the top, though a warning—the drive to the parking area is closed during the winter months normally. 

At 1071 Dry Creek Road there is a gravel road on the right that winds narrowly (4.7 miles) to the top of the mountain and turns into Fire Tower Rd. There is a small parking area where the Pinnacle Mountain Tower Trail crosses.  It is about a 1 ½ mile hike to the top via the trail.  Many people elect to get there quicker by using the road which climbs steeply from the parking area straight to the tower making the trip even shorter though not as pretty as staying on the trail. Of course you could make use of the entire trail and start off of exit 32 of Interstate 26.  

The trail traverses a beautiful ever changing forest on the south east side of the mountain. Pockets of mountain laurel, rhododendron, pine and hardwood areas allow the hike to feel different and beautiful throughout the year. 

Feel free to reach out for more information about the trail.  Bike, hike or run it but don’t forget to climb the tower and PAUSE at the top to soak in the view.