The historic 100-foot fire lookout tower, bulit in 1935 remains in excellent shape today and is listed on the National Register of Historic Lookouts. The park is open year round from dawn to dusk, with minimal maintenance (snow plowing) during the winter months. The park is located at 5230 County Road 11, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472, approximately one mile east of downtown Pequot Lakes.

Volunteers organized to save the fire tower amid community-wide enthusiasm for the tower and grounds. Crow Wing County purchased the tower and adjoining 40 acres from the MN DNR in November of 2018 in an effort to preserve and protect the tower, while also opening it again for public use. After renovations the newly developed site has walking trails from the parking lot to the tower, signage, including maps, plant identifiers, tower info and Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway kiosk Truth and Lore story of this historic spot along this national scenic byway.

 Trail map

Read more about the Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park at Crow Wing County parks webpage.