Cold Springs Cabin
Open for reservations mid-May through mid-October. Not available the first Tuesday of each month for water testing, cleaning, and maintenance. Reservations required via Recreation.gov; confirmation letter contains door access code.
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order. Some examples of these include hay bales, hay…
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires, on Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland lands, except within designated developed campgrounds. Chainsaw use is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.…
Wiley Flat Campground Closure
The Wiley Flat Campground is currently closed due to hazards and hazardous conditions created as a result of the Wiley Flat fire of 2024. The closure includes all developed sites, roads, trails, and facilities within the campground boundary. View Map.
14 Day Stay Order
Camping or otherwise occupying a single location (including leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies) for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days is PROHIBITED on the Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland.
Prescribed Fire information
Each year, prescribed burning is done in the spring and fall to improve forest health and protect communities. Visit our Prescribed Fire in Central Oregon page to learn more.
About
Cold Springs Guard Station, constructed in 1934, served as the switchboard station connecting phone calls between various fire lookouts and guard stations during the summer fire season. The current cabin replaced an earlier structure destroyed by fire and continued to house Forest Service employees into the 1990s. The cabin offers creature comforts rarely found in backcountry accommodations: three bedrooms with beds, two bathrooms featuring flush toilets (one with a tub, the other with a shower), a fully equipped kitchen with propane cook stove and solar-powered refrigerator, and propane-operated heat and hot water throughout. Solar lights provide illumination. Basic utensils and cleaning supplies are stocked. Guests must bring bedding, towels, and garbage bags as this is a pack-it-out facility. The guard station sits in an upland meadow near Big Summit Prairie, known for wildflower displays including wild parsley, bitterroot, meadow larkspur, and Indian paintbrush. Several bands of wild free-roaming horses live in the area. Nearby activities include hiking at Lookout Mountain trails, fishing at Walton Lake, and exploring Bridge Creek Wilderness.
Directions
From Prineville, Oregon: Travel 13 miles east on Highway 26. Turn right at the junction to Ochoco Ranger Station (County Road 123) and travel 8 miles to the junction of Forest Service Roads 22 and 42. Stay right to merge onto FS Road 42 and travel approximately 19 miles. Just after crossing the North Fork of the Crooked River, turn left onto FS Road 30 and travel 1.5 miles. Turn right onto FS Road 100 at signs to Cold Springs Guard Station, then right again at the fork and proceed through the gate. Paved roads most of the way; last 2 miles are good dirt road.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $90 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 416-6500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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