Washington › Yakima County › Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

American Ridge Lodge

Closed

Currently closed due to a non-functioning wood stove that prevents heating the cabin. Beginning October 1, 2025, the facility became unavailable for winter months. Check with the Naches Ranger District for reopening dates.

Notify on Availability Reserve

Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 9:49AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR

August 10th, 9:49 AM — August 12th, 12:00 PM

The have issued an Air Quality Alert until 11 AM PDT Thursday. An Air Quality Alert has been issued for Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Kittitas, Klickitat, Walla Walla and Yakima Counties until further notice due to expected wildfire smoke from regional fires. Expect some clearing out and intermittent good air quality but with significant fires on the landscape conditions can worsen quickly to unhealthy air. Be sure to check air monitors in your area before outdoor activities. People can take the following precautions to protect their health: * Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality. * Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions. * People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high. * Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating ventilation, cooling, and air purification systems. * Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible. Information from the Washington Department of Ecology web site is available at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/air.html or call 360-407-6000. Information from the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency web site is available at http://www.yakimacleanair.org or call 509-834-2050. Information from the Benton County Clean Air Agency web site is available at http://www.bentoncleanair.org or call 509-783-1304.

Air Quality Alert issued August 5 at 2:33PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR

August 5th, 2:33 PM — August 12th, 5:00 AM

The Washington State Department of Ecology, Benton Clean Air Agency, and the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency have issued an Air Quality Alert until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Alert, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. Information from the Washington Department of Ecology web site is available at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/air.html or call 360-407-6000. Information from the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency web site is available at http://www.yakimacleanair.org or call 509-834-2050. Information from the Benton County Clean Air Agency web site is available at http://www.bentoncleanair.org or call 509-783-1304.

About

American Ridge Lodge offers a glimpse into Washington's ski history, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s when the Yakima Valley Ski Club partnered with the Forest Service to create the American River Ski Bowl, one of the state's first downhill ski areas. The rustic 43x48-foot lodge served skiers until the 1950s when White Pass Ski Area opened with better snow and terrain. After decades of vacancy, the lodge and its unique 20-seater outhouse were restored and made available for public reservation. The largely unfurnished lodge sits at 3,050 feet elevation, approximately 1.5 miles from the William O. Douglas Wilderness boundary. It features a kitchen area with counter space and benches, closets and cabinets, and a wood stove (currently non-functional). Outside are a fire ring, picnic tables, and grounds suitable for dispersed tent camping. The facility has no electricity or running water; summer visitors can obtain pitcher pump water from Cedar Springs Campground 1.5 miles away. Access is through a locked gate with the combination provided upon reservation. Winter visitors park at a plowed pullout on Bumping Lake Road and hike, snowshoe, or snowmobile under a mile to reach the lodge. The surrounding area offers hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and mountain biking in warmer months, with skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and snowmobiling available in winter. Wildlife including elk, mule deer, and black bear frequent the area.

Directions

From Naches, WA: Travel west on US Highway 12 for 4.4 miles, continue straight onto SR 410 W for 27.5 miles. Turn left onto Bumping River Road (FR 1800), continue 1/4 mile to Forest Road 381. Turn right and follow approximately 3/4 mile to the end. Access is through a locked gate; combination provided in confirmation letter. In winter, park at the plowed pullout on Bumping Lake Road and walk or snowmobile under a mile to the lodge.