Frying Pan Tower: Family Hike, Tower Views, and Truckbed Lunch

Some hikes stick with you not just because of the views, but because of the little moments along the way. Our trip up to Frying Pan Tower on the Blue Ridge Parkway was one of those days.

Views from the top of Frying Pan Lookout Tower.

The trail begins just off the Parkway, and right away you notice it isn’t a wilderness trek—it’s actually an old service road. Wide, gravelly, and steadily uphill, it winds for a little over a mile toward the tower. It’s not steep enough to feel grueling, but it’s steady enough that you’ll know you’ve been climbing. The forest crowds in around you most of the way, and every so often you catch glimpses through the trees of the ridges beyond.

For families, it’s a great hike. Waylon trotted along without any trouble, and because the path is broad and straightforward, you don’t have to worry about tricky footing or drop-offs. The anticipation builds as you go—you can spot the tower peeking above the treeline before you ever reach it.

View of Frying Pan Tower from just below as you come up over the last section of the trail.

The views from here are covered by scrub and trees but once you get to the top of the tower, if you brave the creaky tower, are amazing with 360 degrees of visibility across the Blue Ridge Mountains.

At the end of the road, Frying Pan Tower stands tall and weathered. Built in the 1940s, it has long since retired from its days as a working fire lookout, but it still commands the same sweeping views. From the bottom, it’s both inviting and intimidating. The metal creaks in the breeze, the steps shift under your weight, and you can feel the whole structure sway ever so slightly.

Madi took one look and decided she’d stay grounded. And honestly, I couldn’t blame her. But Waylon and I went for it. Step by step we climbed, the forest falling away below us until we reached the top. The view was worth every creak. From the platform, mountains stretched out in every direction—rows of ridgelines fading into the distance, the Parkway snaking its way through the hills. For Waylon, it was pure adventure. He leaned into the wind, pointing at the valleys and peaks with wide-eyed excitement.

Back on solid ground, the day slowed into one of those simple family moments that makes a trip unforgettable. We spread out in the truckbed at the trailhead, made sandwiches, and just sat together in the cool mountain air. No crowds, no rush, just time.

That’s what made this hike stand out. The tower gave us the thrill and the views, but it was the time together that turned it into a memory. If you’re driving the Parkway and looking for a short hike with a big payoff, Frying Pan Tower is worth the stop. Just be ready for some creaks and sways if you decide to climb.