Christmas Creek Ranch
Access and availability information for this remote site is limited. The facility is not listed on Recreation.gov and does not appear to operate as a formal rental cabin. No fees are required. Winter access is essentially impossible due to snow and the site's extreme remoteness. Contact the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest for current conditions.
Air Quality Alert issued August 3 at 12:05PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions may 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. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Air Quality Alert issued August 8 at 7:36PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, 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. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Air Quality Alert issued August 5 at 2:33PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, 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. An Air Quality Advisory for elevated levels of ozone pollution, or smog, is in effect for Hermiston in Umatilla County. Ozone pollution is expected to reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, pregnant people, older adults and people with heart or respiratory conditions. DEQ expected the Air Quality Advisory to last until 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
About
Christmas Creek Ranch is a remote historic ranch site situated in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, managed by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The property was originally homesteaded by Homer Hayes sometime prior to 1913, with ranch buildings likely constructed by the Johnson family in the 1930s. Located along the Snake River corridor on the Oregon side just upstream from Dug Bar, this is one of the most isolated sites in the recreation area. The ranch is classified by the USFS as a "Lookout/Cabin" facility, though it is not currently available through Recreation.gov's reservation system and no fees are required. Visitors should expect primitive conditions and must be entirely self-sufficient. Access is extremely difficult, typically requiring boat travel on the Snake River or lengthy backcountry travel. Winter access is essentially impossible due to snow and terrain. The surrounding Hells Canyon landscape offers dramatic views of North America's deepest river gorge, with opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking historic trails, and experiencing the remote character of this protected wilderness area. The Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative performs ongoing maintenance on the site's facilities.
Directions
Amenities
| Water | — |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | — |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 523-6391 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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