Boucher Hill & Historic Fire Tower

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Boucher Fire Tower:  Open: May 1 until late November

From May 1 until Daylight Savings ends in early November, hours are 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

​After Daylight Savings time ends in early November, the hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. til the tower closes for the season in late November.

BOUCHER HILL   One of the special features of the park is Boucher Hill (pronounced "boo-ker" or "booker"). The summit, which is just over a mile above sea level, has been listed in the Sierra Club's "Hundred Peak Section" since it was first published in 1946.

Just getting to the top a pleasure, and once you arrive you can enjoy spectacular views and study the fascinating historical fire lookout.

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There are two ways to get to the summit:

BOUCHER TRAIL  The trailhead is a short walk from the Silvercrest parking lot, at the junction of five roads. The trail inclines gently uphill along the ridge of Boucher Hill, taking you through grass, bracken fern and stands of oak. After about 3/4 of a mile you'll reach the lookout area.

BOUCHER HILL SCENIC DRIVE  The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) developed this road as a scenic drive up to the lookout. This one-way loop begins next to the trailhead.

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BOUCHER SUMMIT VIEW DECK    Once you reach the summit, take time to stop and walk out to the observation deck, which is wheelchair accessible. To the southwest, over 4,500 feet below you, lies the verdant Pauma Valley. Equally stunning sights greet you to the north, west, and southeast: Santiago Peak to the northwest, Cuyamaca Peak to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean, including the Coronado Islands.

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HISTORIC BOUCHER HILL FIRE TOWER The Boucher Hill Fire Lookout is a fully functioning fire tower located within Palomar Mountain State Park at an elevation of 5,438 feet in northern San Diego County atop Boucher Hill Summit. It is open to the public as staff resources permit. Go here for dates and hours the tower is open to the public.

The first tower was built in 1921 and replaced in 1934. The current building was built in 1948 and was fully refurbished in 2013 through the efforts of The San Diego-Riverside Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association. Enjoy their video and more information about the lookout's history.

Originally the tower was owned by the California Department of Forestry, but it is now owned by the Parks Department and is staffed by park volunteers.

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THINGS TO DO:     HIKING     PICNICKING     FISHING     CAMPING     FEATURES & SITES OF INTEREST
BOUCHER HILL & HISTORIC FIRE TOWER     SPECIAL EVENTS     TIPS TO ENJOY YOUR VISIT     CHECK THE WEATHER

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