Observation tower
The fenced in area would be a wonderful place for a blanket-styled picnic. The tower is over 80 years old – so it might shake a little! This tower is an excellent location for photography but keep in mind that if people are walking up/down the stairs, the tower is a little shaky for you photographers who will be wondering. This is an excellent spot to see the sunset, sunrise and colors during the fall. Once you are at the top, the tower provides a wonderful view of the Shawnee National Forest, closeby countrysides and the rolling hills of southern Illinois. Īfter you park your vehicle, the tower is a short walk and climb. This would be a good side trip if exploring nearby places like Bell Smith Springs and Splatterstone Falls from East Trigg.
![observation tower observation tower](https://decor10blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/treetop-lookout-experience-denmark-150617-147-11-800x1280.jpg)
This is definitely a place to add to a trip of going somewhere else – this would make a good quick side trip. There is the tower, a field around it and the parking lot. The Trigg Observation Tower site is relatively small. It isn’t a Forest Service problem, it’s a people not reporting it problem! Sadly, when the profanity is covered, new profanity is added. The tower is old and there is heavy graffiti on it. The first set of stairs are shaky but safe. A recent fence was constructed to help keep vandals from driving on the grass and tearing it up. There is a sign with little information at the site. There is a wooden highline available to tie up horses and mules. Equestrians should park at the nearby East Trigg Trailhead and ride to the Observation Tower. Do not pull horse trailers into the parking lot. The parking lot can fit about 8-10 vehicles. However, all vehicles should be able to drive to the site during normal weather conditions. There are some potholes present on the gravel roads. The roads to Trigg Observation Tower are made up of asphalt and gravel. You can change Marion to whatever town you are driving from. If you see something suspicious, say something!Ĭlick this Google Map Link to see direction to Trigg Observation Tower from Marion, Illinois. Please help us keep our National Forest and its features safe for everyone to enjoy by reporting suspicious activities to local law enforcement. Many other fire towers meet this fate, sadly.
![observation tower observation tower](https://archello.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/images/2018/08/08/-010-Uitkijktoren-Stokkem.1533699853.3193.jpg)
However, because of the vandals, I recommend seeing Trigg Observation Tower soon because eventually it may be too expensive to maintain and therefore closed to climbing up on. Recently the US Forest Service maintained the tower and are working on ways to maintain it without having to repeat the maintenance. From damaging the ground with their vehicles to spray-painting profanity on the deck of the tower, Trigg Observation Tower has taken a beating over the years. Trigg Observation Tower and the area around it has been often targeted by vandals and those who wish to harm our National Forest. You can go up the Trigg Observation Tower.
#Observation tower full#
There is also a fire tower in its full form located on state property at Trail of Tears State Forest near Alto Pass, Illinois. The original tower was built in the 1930s and is the last remaining fire tower in the Shawnee National Forest out of the 10+ towers that once stood around the forest. Trigg Observation Tower was originally about 100 foot in height but half of it was removed for safety reasons once the tower was no longer used for fire watching activities. Trigg Observation Tower is a former fire watch observation tower located in the Shawnee National Forest near Simpson, Illinois.