The fire lookout tower was originally constructed as a gable-roof cupola in 1924. In 1956 the Air Force leveled the mountain summit by removing 40 feet from the top of the peak (as well as the lookout) in order to install a radar station, which was never built. The present lookout sits atop a 41-foot tall tower which is maintained for emergency use. The Slate Peak Lookout was added to the National Historic Lookout Register on November 4, 2000. On a clear day, visitors can see Silver Star Mountain, The Needles, Tower Mountain, Golden Horn, Azurite Peak, Mount Ballard, Jack Mountain, Crater Mountain, Monument Peak, Robinson Mountain, and many others from the tower.