Four can sleep upstairs on the twin beds.

Washington › Yakima County › Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

American River Guard Station

Open

Open year-round by reservation. Access is through a locked gate; the combination is provided in the confirmation letter. There is no potable water at the cabin. In summer, waste disposal is available via dumpster at nearby American Forks Campground; in winter, pack-it-out rules apply.

Notify on Availability Reserve

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

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

The American River Guard Station sits on the banks of the American River in old-growth Douglas fir and western hemlock forest off the scenic Mather Memorial Parkway (Highway 410). Built in 1941 by the 932nd Camp Naches Civilian Conservation Corps crew as a fire patrol and recreation management residence, the cabin was found eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 and has been carefully restored for public use. The cabin features a small kitchen equipped with an electric range, refrigerator, coffee maker, pots, dishes, and glassware. The living area has a queen sleeper sofa, dining table for 4-8, wood stove, and electric baseboard heater. A full bed occupies the bedroom, while four twin beds with mattresses fill the sleeping loft. Guests must bring their own bedding, food, water, and all supplies. In summer, potable water can be obtained from nearby Cedar Spring Campground. The location provides access to Bumping Lake for boating and fishing, trails into the William O. Douglas and Norse Peak Wilderness areas, and winter activities including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Chinook Pass and Mount Rainier National Park are 30 minutes away. Wildlife in the area includes deer, porcupine, native fish, and migratory birds, with Northern Spotted Owl, gray wolves, and grizzly bears in nearby wilderness areas.

Directions

From Naches, WA: Travel west on US Highway 12 for 4.4 miles, then continue straight onto Highway 410 W for 27.5 miles. Turn left onto Bumping River Road / Forest Road 1800. Cross the bridge over American River, then turn left onto American Forks Campground Road. The cabin and access road will be on the left shortly after turning. Up to 4 passenger vehicles may park at the guard station; additional vehicles can use overflow parking off Bumping Road 1800. Major roads from Naches are plowed in winter.