The Mountain Fire Lookout Tower was built in 1935 by the U.S. Forest Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was once a part of an extensive lookout tower network in the former Nicolet National Forest. The Mountain Fire Lookout Tower was the first tower in Wisconsin to be placed on the National Historic Lookout Register and the National Register of Historic Places. It also was the 41st lookout tower to be registered in the United States. The tower was taken out of service in 1970 and was restored in 1994.

The Mountain Fire Lookout Tower was restored again in 2015-2016. 

Today, the 100-foot steel tower with a 7-by-7-foot cab is one of the few remaining lookouts on the east side of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.  Of the original 14 fire lookout towers located on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Mountain Fire Lookout Tower is the only tower open for visitors to climb to the top of.

The Mountain Fire Lookout Tower will open in May until October 31. Site hours are 8:00 am till sunset.  This site is free, but donations are always accepted.