Catfish Fire Tower

Prior to 1922, there was a wooden tower at this location.

In 1922, the state department of conservation and development built this 60 foot Aermotor LS-40 tower near Catfish Pond, on Kittatinny Mountain on the property of the Browing Land Company. The steel tower can see beyond the Delaware Water Gap well into Monroe and Pike counties of Pennsylvania. and also overlook the wooded ridges surrounding Lake Hopatcong.
An 8 mile telephone line was also built. The cost was split between Federal funds and local residents.

In 1924, the lookout watchman was Norman Maring. As of August, he had logged a total of 1023 visitors since the tower had opened two years prior.

In 1937, a New Jersey Geodetic Survey team visited the site and placed a station mark below the lookout tower. They approached from the north on the AT following the telephone wires.

In 1993, its 7-by-7-foot cab was rebuilt.

The tower is staffed during times of moderate to high fire danger. About 1,500 visitors a year sign their guest book.

Located about nine miles north of the Delaware Water Gap, Catfish Lookout is currently within the boundaries of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It is not the tallest tower in New Jersey but it is the highest elevation lookout.